Meet the Cast of 'The Boyfriend' Season 2: Your Guide to the Gay Singles Looking for Love in Japan

Netflix's trailblazing queer dating show found a global ensemble for its second installment.

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A group of eight Asian men lie in the snow with their heads making a circle, in Netflix's 'The Boyfriend.'
(Image credit: Netflix)

Spoilers for The Boyfriend episodes 1-9 ahead. If you're craving a winter romance, Netflix's The Boyfriend will be your new favorite reality show. The Japanese series, known as the country's first-ever same-sex dating show, returns for its second season after its acclaimed 2024 debut. For season 2, which premiered on January 13, the show has recruited a new group of queer singles to live together for two months in a guesthouse dubbed the Green Room, this time based in wintertime Hokkaido, Japan. As they live and work together, running a coffee truck in pairs, the men learn more about themselves and each other as they search for love.

In the first nine episodes, The Boyfriend season 2 introduces 10 men who are looking for their next great love. Ranging in age from 20 to 40, the cast ranges from a university student looking for their first love, to a man getting back out there after a 15-year relationship, to globe-trotters hoping to find lifelong partners, to a familiar face with "unfinished business." Also, most of this year's cast already have history with each other, leading to plenty of deep conversations.

Eight Asian men sit in a pyramid formation in front of a printed sofa, multicolored painting, and green wall, in the group portrait for the cast of Netflix's 'The Boyfriend' season 2.

The cast of The Boyfriend season 2.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Below, read on for everything you need to know about the cast of The Boyfriend season 2 (including their Instagrams).

Bomi

A Japanese man named Bomi wears a red sweated and black pants while sitting on a couch with his hands laced on a pillow, in his cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

23-year-old Bomi is a university student who grew up in Tokyo and DJs on the side. He has never dated a man before, and he hopes that his first-ever relationship is a "pure and innocent romance." When he encounters a past connection in the Green Room, he wonders if they could become more.

Instagram: @bom_.__.b

Hiroya

A Japanese man named Hiroya wears a navy winter jacket and navy pants while posing with his head resting on his hand, and sitting on a printed sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

Hiroya, 29, is an art director from Sapporo who admits that he has always put his work before his social life. Now, the multi-hyphenate sees the Green Room as a chance to step out of his comfort zone and meet new people. When asked about his type, he says that he tends to date "really normal guys."

Instagram: @hiroya_fm

Huwei

A Thai man named Huwei wears a black t-shirt while sitting on a sofa and posing with his hands behind his head, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

Huwei, 26, is a Thai student pursuing a PhD in gender studies and anthropology. He's also a member of Thailand's national judo team, who is training for the 2028 Olympics. In episode 2, he opens up about his type, revealing that he likes a "pretty face" and that "an overly macho personality can be off-putting."

Instagram: @myhuwei

Izaya

A Japanese man named Izaya wears a black knitted sweater and jeans while sitting cross-legged on a printed sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

Izaya, 32, is a Tokyo-born software developer who currently lives in Australia. The world traveler is looking for a serious relationship; in his intro, Izaya says his ideal partner is someone with whom he can envision a life together. Despite looking toward the future, the Green Room reunites him with someone from his past.

Instagram: @izayaigaki

Jobu

A Japanese man with frosted tips named Jobu wears a pink and white hoodie while sitting on a sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

Jobu, 26, is a marketer at a manufacturing company from Osaka who attended university in Tokyo. In his intro, he says that he's drawn to people who have the "composed vibe" that he lacks. Outgoing and affectionate, Jobu is looking for "the romance of his dreams."

Instagram: @jobu_98

Kazuyuki

A Japanese man named Kazuyuki wears a white fisherman's sweater while posing on a printed sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

40-year-old Kazuyuki, a telecom sales worker from Osaka Prefecture, is the eldest resident of the Green Room. He was previously in a 15-year relationship, which ended a year before he joined season 2. He says he applied to The Boyfriend because he hoped the show would be "an opportunity to express his true feelings."

Instagram: @kazu_yki1

Ryuki

A Japanese man named Ryuki wears a green knitted sweater and jeans while sitting on a sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

20-year-old Ryuki is the youngest of the house. He's a college sophomore who works part-time at a café. In his intro, he says that he came to the Green Room to "regain the trust [he] lost in guys" after a "painful" relationship.

Instagram: @ryukinternet

Taeheon

Taeheon wears a plaid shirt while sitting on a couch with his knee up, in his portrait for Netflix's 'The Boyfriend' season 2.

(Image credit: Netflix)

35-year-old Taeheon returns to the Green Room after his stint as a season 1 fan-favorite. Since 2024, the Korean designer has traveled the world and worked with brands like Rimowa and Cartier. Upon his return in episode 8, he says that he feels he "left some things unfinished" in season 1, adding, "I thought I'd try to be more honest with my own feelings and try again."

Instagram: @taehonest

Tomoaki

Tomoaki rests his hand on his elbow as he leans on a white couch, while holding a multi-colored pillow, in his cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend' season 2.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Tomoaki, a 31-year-old IT project manager, also joins the Green Room in episode 8. He tells the cast that he applied for the show with the intention of coming to terms with his sexuality and learning to love himself after a weight loss journey. He adds, "And ideally getting a boyfriend and introducing him to my parents."

Instagram: @taehonest

William

A Peruvian man named William wears a white button-down and jeans while sitting on a sofa, in a cast portrait for 'The Boyfriend.'

(Image credit: Netflix)

William, a 34-year-old project manager, is a globe-trotter who has both Peruvian and Japanese heritage. He currently lives in Barcelona, where he moved to explore his roots. Though he wants to get married, he's hesitant to trust after being hurt in the past.

Instagram: @willyosco

Quinci LeGardye
Quinci LeGardye
Culture Writer

Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.