Every snowflake is unique in Netflix’s The Boyfriend Season 2.
Set in the wintertime in Hokkaido, this Japanese reality TV series sees a group of men get cozy, share intimate conversations, and run a coffee business while trying to find love. Ranging in age from 20 to 40, these men also do all sorts of activities together from hitting up the hot springs, building a makeshift igloo, and leisurely trips to local spots to test out their bonds and see if they have what it takes to leave this experience with a boyfriend.
And since Lizzie and I have so many thoughts about The Boyfriend Season 2, here’s our breakdown of Episodes 1-6, Episodes 7-9, and Episodes 10-12!
1. Let’s talk about all the journeys. Who was your favorite this season and why?
Lyra: I think my favorite journey in The Boyfriend Season 2 is Jobu’s. Despite it not working out with William, he kept trying and wore his heart on his sleeve while building connections with the other participants. And when Taeheon came around, same thing. It didn’t work out on the first date but he tried again. The second time worked a bit better even if I don’t think they’ll last. But overall, I like how he learned to communicate a little more and think about what his partner might need instead of just himself. It’s a journey of growth and I think he’s got a lot to look forward to.
Lizzie: I think my favorite journey might be Kazuyuki’s. I think some people might believe that he didn’t actually need to come to the Green Room because he didn’t find love (or he didn’t find love on the show, though he found himself and his love again through it), but I think he got a lot out of it, and he brought a lot to the dynamics of the room. I feel like this show is not just about the romance; it’s about what you discover about yourself and how you can help others, too, and not only was Kazuyuki instrumental in other people’s journeys, but I truly believe that being in the show helped him get to where he needed to be.
2. William and Izaya. What did you think about their time in the Green Room? Are you a fan of their relationship?
Lyra: With time and perspective, I still don’t know about William and Izaya. It felt like they were on two different pages half the time. And they have different priorities. But what do I know? I’m not in a relationship and they’re trying. Plus opposites do attract. But I think they’ll have a chance to work out some of the things that they couldn’t address on the show in the real world. Because they have a strong foundation that started even before the Green Room. And half of the struggle is trying right? I changed my mind. I hope they make it.
Lizzie: I think they’re trying, and I think they want to try, so that’s a positive. Trying is often more than half the battle. So I’m going to give them that. And honestly, I think the thing is that they came in with already a foundation, so we didn’t really get to see the beginning on screen, so our perspective was skewed. But I just didn’t feel it in the way I felt it with others, and that’s part of what was throwing me, and I think others off about them. I like them, I do, but I was never sure about them. It seems like things are really working out, so hats off to them. They’re putting in the work, and I respect it.
3. We have an update on Kazuyuki! What do you think about his decision to leave the Green Room? Do you think coming was beneficial for him?
Lyra: While I do think that Kazuyuki took away a chance from someone who could’ve found love in the Green Room, the experience worked for him. Maybe not in the way that I expected or the show warranted. But he did. And it kind of feels like at the end of the day, what’s more important on this show is finding love but also community and a place of belonging. Kazuyuki found community and a deeper understanding of what he had and what he lost. And at the end of the day I’m glad he’s happy.
Lizzie: I adore Kazuyuki, and I don’t actually believe this show is just about finding love, even though the name is The Boyfriend. I don’t see it as Love is Blind in a different setting. I think his being there helped everyone, as I said before, and I think it helped him. I think the vibe in Season 2 felt even more genuine than in Season 1, and I think he helped it a lot, even if he wasn’t really romantically interested in anyone. So, I think coming was beneficial for him, but I also think it helped everyone else, as I said before. I’m not sure his partner was all that happy, but all is well that ends well, I guess.
4. Ryuki left the Green Room with a new perspective on coming out to his parents. What do you think about his experiences in the Green Room and how he got there?
Lyra: If he came right at the start Ryuki would’ve had a better chance at connecting with the others. But I’m wondering if culturally, the age difference would’ve been too much anyway for a lasting connection. Either way, like Kazuyuki, he also got something out of this experience. He got community. And at the end of the day, that’s more valuable than your weight in gold. These are the people that will guide you and listen to you in your toughest moments. Ryuki has that now. Here’s hoping they continue to all be in contact after the show and that everything goes well with his coming out. Oh, Tomoaki too. I hope it went well for him too!
Lizzie: I agree with Lyra, I think sometimes getting community can be as important, if not more important, than finding love, particularly for someone as young as Ryuki. Like, that conversation he had with Taeheon where he just wanted to talk about coming out. He really needed people to talk about these things, people that would be on his side and not judge him. People that would support him. Sometimes those of us that are watching feel like that’s a given, but if he didn’t have that in his life, then I’m really, really glad he found it.
5. Someone needs to lock down Huwei for real, and it was Bomi who did in The Boyfriend Season 2. Do they have what it takes to make it?
Lyra: I honestly think Huwei and Bomi do have a chance… if they learn about each other’s love languages and make peace with it. Which is hard. It’s hard for people with years of experience and I can’t expect them to figure it out in 2 months. But I really like the quiet moments with them in the same way I liked the quiet moments between Taeheon and Jobu. Those are the moments that matter just as much as the loud ones. If anything, Huwei schedule is the thing that might keep them apart. Because that man is booked and busy. But I think that he would benefit from having the support of a partner like Bomi. Only time will tell.
Lizzie: A chance, yes. But honestly, relationships take work. And if they are not willing to put in the work, it’s hard. I’m going to give it to William and Izaya, they’re putting in the work. Bomi and Huwei are having a harder time doing that in real life. Because when you’re in the Green Room, it’s easier. You have no other distractions. Outside, well… things get harder. If they can find a way to make each other a priority, I think they do have a chance. So, a chance, yes. Certainty, no.
6. Then there’s Taeheon and Jobu. Did that come out of nowhere for you? Does it work?
Lyra: I… don’t know if it came out of nowhere. But I do think that Jobu entered that first coffee date with a set of preconceived notions about Taeheon. It was giving, “Oh he’s hot.” And that’s ok. That’s how a lot of relationships start. The problem comes when nothing else comes after that. Jobu opened up, some. But I don’t know if he opened up enough for this relationship to last outside of the physical aspect. And I hate saying that because Jobu is my favorite participant of The Boyfriend Season 2. But the truth is the truth for a reason. Hopefully they’re still friends after this.
Lizzie: Not out of nowhere, but I was never sure it was going to work, and I’m not sure I was surprised to hear it [SPOILER FOR REUNION] kinda fizzled out. It didn’t really feel like there was a strong foundation there. I really like Jobu, but it felt like the way he handled serious conversations didn’t really mesh with the way Taeheon did, and that’s not something that long-term works without a lot of compromise and a lot of change. Sometimes people are great, they’re just not great together. This feels like one of those cases.
7. What was your favorite Durian Lollobrigida look this season? And your least favorite?
Lyra: If I’m being honest, this Rainbow Brite look is my favorite, even if she looks like the final LGBTQ+ boss in a game. None of the others really worked for me. I kept noticing the lace and the outfits were a little too severe for my style. If anything, it does make me wonder about the drag scene in Japan. Because I’ve seen other countries in Asia and their drag queens. Education is fundamental.
Lizzie: I actually agree with Lyra, though I wouldn’t have called it Rainbow Brite. I didn’t really love any outfit at first, but they started growing on me as the season went on. I don’t think I paid enough attention last season, so I’m curious to look back on them now. There was also one that was giving Big Bird that I hated at first, and then I couldn’t stop thinking about.
All episodes of The Boyfriend Season 2 are available on Netflix. A reunion has premiered in Japan, but Netflix US doesn’t have a release date.
