BL Dating Shows Like The Boyfriend

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As a long-time fan of Boys Love (BL) content, I have eagerly awaited the release of new shows that delve into the complexities and nuances of same-sex relationships. Recently, Netflix introduced “The Boyfriend,” Japan’s first-ever reality show centered around nine male contestants seeking love. Having followed various BL dating shows from South Korea, Thailand, and now Japan, I must say that “The Boyfriend” stands out as a unique and captivating addition to the genre.

Netflix recently debuted a new reality show, titled “The Boyfriend“, which has gained popularity among fans of Boys Love (BL) content. This marks the first same-sex dating show in Japan, where nine male contestants seek love and connection. Previously, South Korea and Thailand also presented engaging BL dating shows to their audiences, including “The Boyfriend”.

1. Among popular variety shows sharing a similar theme, Koran BL Series, His Man, and Thailand’s Bromance have garnered significant attention. However, The Boyfriend has managed to captivate audiences worldwide. This captivating series concluded on July 30, 2024, after 10 enthralling episodes. The official description of the show goes as follows: “For a whole month, a band of gentlemen reside under one roof and manage a coffee truck together in hopes of finding their soulmate.”

In the first season, among the contestants were Dai, Gensei, Ikuo, Usak, Shun, Kazuto, Ryota, and Alan. The finale brought delight to viewers as Shun and Dai exited together as a couple, with fans having supported their relationship since the start. Additionally, Kazuto and Alan concluded their journey on the show by holding hands and intending to deepen their connection beyond it.

Let’s take a look at a few BL dating shows like The Boyfriend:

His Man

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I’m a big fan of “His Man,” a popular Korean BL dating show similar to “The Boyfriend.” In this series, eight handsome single men live together for a week and communicate through phone calls to get to know each other and express their feelings. The first season came out in 2022, with the second following in 2023. However, none of the couples made it past the first installment. But in the second season, Shin Sung-Ho and Lee Jun-Seong found a connection that lasted. They’re still going strong.

10 episodes of season 3 have already been broadcast out of a total of 14. The cast features actors such as Kim Yo-Ho, Son Yeong-Jun, Kim Hwi, Hwang Min-Seon, Kim Jae-Seung, Kim Seung-Jin, Bae Seong-Min, and Cho Myeong-Gyun.

Bromance

1. The Thai BL series, titled “Bromance,” explores romantic connections among men, with a focus on finding true love, reminiscent of the American reality show “The Bachelor.” Instead of a woman choosing a man as in the original, 16 male contestants vie for the affection of the “Dream Guy” in this Thai adaptation. Throughout the series, individual and group dates are shared between the participants and the Dream Guy, culminating in the lead selecting his favorite partner who has captured his heart.

With 10 episodes, season 1 was released in 2021. Fans can watch the show on GagaOOLala.

Boyscation

2022-2023 marked the debut of Hong Kong’s first BL dating show, titled “Boyscation.” Over the course of this series, ten men embarked on a quest for love. The show delves into the challenges these contestants face as they come out to their families and friends in a traditional Chinese society. Key cast members include Carson Leung, Nelbon, Kevin Tsaii, Lan Yuanwei, and Kenny Yang. For those interested, the program is available on YouTube for viewing.

Boys Like Boys

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of BL dating shows, “Boys Like Boys” from Taiwan is my new obsession, akin to “The Boyfriend and His Man.” Just like “The Boyfriend and His Man,” this Netflix reality series delves into the thrilling quest for love within a shared living space. And much like “His Man,” this Taiwanese gem spans six to seven days, offering an intense yet captivating journey of emotional connections.

During this six-day voyage, brave men embark on a quest for love, experiencing heartfelt encounters of first love, unrequited feelings, miscommunications, and clashes. By journey’s end, which man will find his perfect match? The cast consists of BoBo, Guan Yu, Nio, Shih Feng, Gino, and Eri. This reality series aired its ten episodes in the year 2023.

In the meantime, don’t miss out on “The Boyfriend,” the newest BL dating show now available on Netflix. This popular reality series has generated much excitement among viewers on the streaming platform this year. A must-watch is the intriguing relationship between Dai and Shun.

Stay tuned for more updates!

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2024-07-30 16:10