Netflix viewers are buzzing about a fresh reality TV show that premiered just yesterday (Tuesday, July 9).
The Boyfriend, set in Japan, is the nation's inaugural same-sex reality romance series. It follows nine men on their quest for love and companionship as they spend their summer in a beach house in Tateyama, Chiba prefecture, roughly 50 miles south of central Tokyo.
As they work together at a coffee truck cheekily named Brewtiful, the men form bonds. But could there also be a hint of jealousy brewing as they grow closer?
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Each participant has a unique emotional story to tell, and the show's narrative style and format have already received accolades from viewers.
The first three episodes, each running between 40 and 45 minutes, were released on the streaming platform on Tuesday. The episodes will continue to be released in batches every week - with episodes four to six dropping on July 16, seven and eight on July 23, and nine and ten on July 30, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Among the participants are artist Shun, 23, designer Taeheon, 34, dancer Usak, 36, and food service worker Ikuo, 22. Hair and makeup artist Gensei, university student Dai, 22, IT worker Alan, 29, cuisine chef Kazuto, 27, and model and barista Ryota, 28, are also on the hunt for their perfect match.
![](http://img.youtube.com/vi/VS2gv--0Pug/0.jpg)
An eclectic group of commentators, including Megumi, Chiaki Horan, Thelma Aoyama, Durian Lollobrigida and Yoshimi Tokui, provide insights and opinions as they watch along with the viewers, observing the men's romantic journeys unfold over the season.
The Boyfriend already has viewers hooked, with some fans confessing to binge-watching all three available episodes already. @friendlygemni tweeted: "the boyfriend show on netflix is hit like i've already cried and there's only 3 eps so far. this is REAL storytelling", and added: "There's something so early 00s real world mixed with Terrace House [popular Japanese reality show] about it".
@konnichihello shared their emotional reaction: "I'm tuning into The Boyfriend on Netflix and it's only the first episode but all the participants talking about what they want to accomplish from joining the show made me CRY...", while @perrii305 simply asked: "Ok....why am I obsessed with The Boyfriend on Netflix".
Adding to the praise, @snoofluke_OGFK commended the show's format: "Just finished watching "The Boyfriend" on Netflix and I must say that they formatted the show well. I like that all of them get enough time to know each other so feelings might change as they get to together. ".
For those who can't wait for their next dose of Japanese reality TV, Netflix also streams four seasons of "Terrace House". This popular docu-soap tracks the lives of six strangers, three men and three women, as they live together and explore potential romances, complemented by a panel of commentators.
Additionally, fans can delve into 11 episodes of "Love is Blind Japan" for more engrossing viewing.
The first three episodes of The Boyfriend are available to stream now on Netflix. Episodes four, five and six air on Tuesday July 16.