The Boyfriend

'The Boyfriend' is a Japanese reality series that offers a gentle and welcoming twist on dating shows. Premiering in July 2024, 'The Boyfriend' quickly became an international phenomenon for its human tone and inclusive approach to love, friendship, and identity.

Unlike traditional formats focused on drama or competition, 'The Boyfriend' proposes an intimate coexistence: a group of Japanese and East Asian men who identify as gay or bisexual spend several weeks together in a summer house nicknamed The Green Room. 

Their goal is not to win a prize, but to explore real connections while they work day by day managing a food truck, thus composing a metaphor for relationships that are built slowly, with patience and collaboration. The program's dynamic breaks away from the typical competitiveness of reality shows, with no eliminations, challenges, or manufactured conflicts.

The approach to LGBTQ representation was key for 'The Boyfriend' to transcend Japan: it is recognized as the country's first male dating reality show with a homosexual theme, with a narrative that addresses orientation and identity with respect and naturalness, moving away from stereotypes and clichés. 

The show features five commentators —Megumi Yamano, Chiaki Horan, Thelma Aoyama, Durian Lollobrigida, and Yoshimi Tokui— who provide cultural context, humor, and perspective on what happens in the house, reinforcing the feeling of being in a social experiment rather than just a simple television competition.

The first season, consisting of 10 episodes, remained in the Top 10 series in Japan for several weeks, launching its participants into online stardom. In 2026, the second season arrived, with 15 episodes, featuring a new group of participants and a change of scenery: winter Hokkaido.

'The Boyfriend' has become a significant cultural platform for LGBTQ visibility in Japan and the world, blending romance, friendship, and personal growth with a contemplative pace that has captivated audiences everywhere.