The Boyfriend Ep5: I Don’t Need An Answer

The Boyfriend is a Japanese gay dating show airing on Netflix and we are completely hooked! We’re binging this series as fast as Netflix will let us and we are invested in this drama. Episode 4 finished with a cliffhanger and we are just dying to find out the result of the vote. Kazuto has definitely emerged as the house favorite in this series, with three of the housemates confessing their feelings to him all in just one day. At least one of them is about to get the chance to go on a date with Kazuto in The Boyfriend Ep5 so we must press play as quickly as possible to find out who the lucky guy is!

At the end of the last episode, it was announced that the housemates were being given an opportunity to nominate someone they wanted to have a sleepover date with. All successful matches would get the chance to spend the night with their crush away from the house and the rest of the housemates. After Kazuto emerged as the crowd favorite it was obvious that he’d be going on the date, but the credits rolled before audiences could learn who he chose to accompany him. 

As it turns out, the lucky contender is Alan! He cries out with joy as the faces of Usak and Ryota crumble at the news. The camera then pans to Dai and Shun, and we gasped out loud when it is revealed that they did not successfully match for a sleepover date. Despite Shun’s lukewarm attitude towards Dai in episode 4, we were sure he wouldn’t pass up on the opportunity to spend more time with the man. The devastation on Dai’s face when he learns that Shun did not nominate him for a date is heartbreaking. We’re right there with you buddy, we were rooting for you both!

Dai and Shun

The Boyfriend Ep5 is tough going for Dai. After going back to his room and face-planting on the bed, Dai exasperates that he doesn’t really understand what’s going on with Shun. Dai is only 23 years old, but at this moment, he displays incredible maturity. Instead of sitting there and letting his thoughts fester, he asks Shun to talk, to explain what happened between them because he can’t figure it out on his own. 

This is the kind of representation we’re here for. Hats off to The Boyfriend Ep5 for presenting this conflict in this way. The world needs to see more queer people working through their feelings, talking, and negotiating the terms of a relationship in healthy ways. In a mature conversation where both men listen to each other and have the chance to talk, Shun tells Dai that he doesn’t feel like they’re on the same wavelength and he’s worried about their compatibility. 

As Shun friend zones Dai, Dai very respectfully says that Shun’s behavior doesn’t align with someone who wants to operate in a friendship capacity but he will accept whatever Shun wants, so they leave the conversation just as friends. 

Kazuto and Alan

The first thing Kazuto and Alan do when they arrive at their hotel is push their twin beds together so they can sleep next to each other. At dinner, things appear to be going well between the two but honestly, after that, the date gets a little hard to watch. 

They get into the indoor bath/pool and sit there naked discussing the types of men they’re attracted to with just small towels over their bits and pieces. Alan is anything but shy about his advances and continues his pursuit of Kazuto shamelessly! Kazuto says he’s going to get out and then Alan responds by saying that they should wash each other! Man isn’t picking up what Kazuto is putting down! Kazuto tells him no and gets out and leaves Alan in the bath alone. 

Yikes fam, we covered our eyes and cringed through the whole scene. It doesn’t seem like they’re on the same wavelength at all, despite choosing each other for the date. 

Kazuto politely tries to avoid the massage that follows the bath, but Alan isn’t taking no for an answer, despite Kazuto saying he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. And just like that, as The Boyfriend Ep5 barrels on, we’re no longer on team Alan anymore. 

Kazuto, Kazuto, Kazuto

Look, we get that these situations are ultimately every man for himself, but the way the others ambush Kazuto when he gets back from the date is a little overwhelming. Kazuto chose Alan for the date, and while he was with Alan, Ryota took it upon himself to send Kazuto messages. When he gets back with Alan, Ryota wastes absolutely no time whatsoever in hitting Kazuto up about how he feels about Alan. 

Kazuto is clearly uncomfortable discussing this with Ryota and tells him that he doesn’t want to talk privately with Ryota anymore, and wants their conversations to happen with the other guys. Ryota, honey, please pay attention to his words. He is communicating very clearly that he isn’t interested in you!

Usak works the coffee truck and takes Kazuto with him. He uses the opportunity to put his feelings for Kazuto out there again and then announces that he’s leaving the house! He says he came to the house hoping to be able to communicate how he feels, and after developing feelings for Kazuto and following through on his goals of telling him, he is able to leave the house satisfied. 

It’s revealed that Usak is leaving for work, but the editing clearly makes it appear as if Usak is leaving because he’s unsuccessful in his pursuit of Kazuto. Whichever is actually true, his departure doesn’t feel spiteful or petty, nor is it shrouded in defeat. Usak leaves with his head held high, and honestly, we love that for him. 

From the get-go, Usak said he didn’t feel like he fit in at the house, and he’s right in that he is very different from everyone else there, but we’re curious about your reactions. Was Usak justified in leaving, or was it a dramatic act of throwing in the towel? Drop by our socials and join the conversation! Let us know what you think of Usak’s departure from the Green Room. 

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The Boyfriend is currently airing on Netflix globally through the month of July. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix