The Boyfriend Ep9: Accepting You No Matter What

If you’ve been watching Netflix’s absolutely delightful queer dating show The Boyfriend, then we’re sure you’ll agree that things are finally moving along. Last episode saw the housemates get their last opportunity to go on a private date with someone of their choosing, and things definitely took a step in the spicy direction! Three couples matches for dates and one even progressed into physical territory. Like everyone else who’s been watching, we’re dying to see what everyone is up to in The Boyfriend Ep9. With only two episodes left of the series, we’re sure it’s set to be a doozy. 

When everyone gets back from their respective dates, Shun tries to convince everyone that he and Dai did the deed while they were away from the house. They don’t buy it though and everyone moves on. Mostly it’s Ryota that we can’t help but notice in this scene because he looks absolutely devastated when Alan and Kazuto walk back in together. And we’re not the only ones who catch his expression and his demeanor – Gensei does too, and it makes him feel a certain way. 

Let’s kick off with The Boyfriend Ep9 and see what shenanigans these wonderful young men will bring to our screens today!

Taeheon

Representing South Korea on The Boyfriend, Taeheon has had a very quiet season. He announced all the way back in episode 1 that his family doesn’t know that he’s gay and he came to this show as an avenue of coming out to them. Although he hasn’t made any romantic connections in the house, he has forged some pretty wonderful friendships. When Gensei gets back from his date with Ryota, Taeheon, and Gensei chat about a lot of things, but he tells Gensei specifically that he really wants to tell his family about his sexuality. 

He’s clearly afraid of alienating them with the idea that he came on the show before he told them, but he knows he has to give himself the chance to live his truth. Listening to him talk about his situation is really lovely and it’s so nice that he and Gensei were brought together by this show. Although they’re not connected romantically, they are very much on the same wavelength and they support each other so much! 

Dai and Shun

As The Boyfriend Ep9 charges forward, we’re rolling our eyes hard y’all, and getting ready to scream because Shun wakes up the day after returning from his date with Dai in a bad mood. He tells the housemates that he doesn’t want to spend the day with Dai because he can’t relax around him, but that it’s too much hassle to actually explain what’s going on inside of him. Without any information to go off, Dai thinks it’s because he didn’t wear Shun’s t-shirt when he was given the opportunity to, but surely, surely Shun wouldn’t incite a cold war again over something so trivial as that, right? 

The public discussion effectively draws the entire house into the struggle that’s now playing out between them and yeesh, chaos rains through the house. Ikuo sticks his nose in and tries to negotiate a discussion between Dai and Shun, but honestly, the whole thing doesn’t necessarily feel like it’s with pure intentions, and Dai doesn’t like it one bit. In The Boyfriend Ep9, the tension escalates like wildfire. 

When Dai pops off, the housemates tell Ikuo that they understand he didn’t act with malicious intentions but honestly, was this ever going to work out any other way? Meddling in other people’s relationships is always a one-way ticket to drama. After a god-tier pep talk from Alan, Dai pulls himself together and pulls Shun aside. 

Dai was right, y’all. It’s about the T-shirt! Throughout their talk, Dai demonstrates yet again that he’s mature, sensitive, and attentive. The rest of the house might all be after Kazuto but the real man of this house is Dai. We’re calling it – Dai is The Boyfriend you all wish you had!

It remains to be seen whether someone like Shun, with all his insecurities and his trauma, is ready for someone like Dai. Or, maybe Dai is exactly what he needs in order to put himself together and move forward as a whole person. His self-confidence isn’t where it could be, and maybe Dai’s ample confidence is enough to carry them both for a while. It is sustainable for the longer term? Inquiring minds want to know. 

Gensei

When Gensei sits Ryota down after their shift in the coffee truck, the words that tumble from his mouth are nothing short of shocking. Gensei informs Ryota, that much like Usak, he’s leaving the house – today! At the end of The Boyfriend Ep9, we’ll no longer be privy to Gensei’s perfect charm! Despite the tears he sheds when he announces it to the others, he seems content and resolute in his choice, so if he’s happy, we’re going to be happy too. 

He’s leaving because he feels like he’s done all he can. He knows Ryota isn’t into him in that way and there’s nothing more for him in the house. Actually, we think this is rather classy. He came, he put his all in, and it didn’t work out for him. It’s better to bow out respectfully and gracefully than sit around and watch the person you’re crushing on pine after another. 

Gensei is soft, gentle, and introspective and he became one of our fave guys in the house! We’re sad he’s leaving and we’ll miss his cute, squishy face. 

Ikuo

When Ikuo chooses Dai to work the truck with him at the end of The Boyfriend Ep9, we knew exactly where this was headed. After their shift together, despite knowing that he’s seeing Shun, Ikuo makes a play for Dai. 

Dai can’t believe it, but honestly, the second Ikuo stuck his nose into Dai and Shun’s business, we knew that this was why. Ikuo likes Dai and separates him from Shun and the other housemates so he can tell him. He writes Dai a long letter, which he reads to him on camera, and the whole thing just bamboozles Dai. 

Dai doesn’t really get a chance to respond though, as the credits start rolling soon after.

The Boyfriend Ep9 is fire! So much happens and there is still so much that’s unresolved but there’s only one more episode left! How on earth is everything going to be tied up in just one more installment? Excuse us while we pick up our stress ball and press play on the last and final episode of The Boyfriend. 

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The Boyfriend is available to stream on Netflix now. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!

Featured Image: Courtesy of Netflix