Celebrated for its portrayal of romance and friendship among young men, the Japanese reality series "The Boyfriend" has been renewed for a second season. The first season premiered on July 9 and was well-received by audiences worldwide, maintaining a spot in the Netflix Weekly Top 10 (Series) in Japan for six weeks.

The show's impact extended beyond Japan, with all nine participants gaining significant attention both locally and internationally. Their social media followings increased dramatically, growing by an average of 120 times since the show's release. The participants have also appeared on TV variety shows, magazine covers, and have been recognized as top icons of the year by online media outlets.

In Season 2, viewers will meet a new group of boys who will share their stories. Hosts MEGUMI, Chiaki Horan, Thelma Aoyama, Durian Lollobrigida, and Yoshimi Tokui will return to guide audiences through the experiences of these young men during their time together.

Dai Ota, producer at Netflix, stated: “Thanks to the love from our viewers, it is exciting to return for a new season. Being the first same-sex romance reality show in Japan, we paid careful attention to ensure that the story is an authentic portrayal of these relationships. In Season 1, we showed not just romance but their friendship and meaningful connections with one another, which I believe touched the hearts of fans around the world.”

He added: “In Season 2, we will continue to showcase their compassion and stories of growth with more unique perspectives and backstories. Please look forward to a new season with new participants, a new Green Room, and new storytelling.”

Season 1 of "The Boyfriend" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.