Netflix Japan¡¯s groundbreaking same-sex dating show ¡ª the first of its kind ¡ª returned for a second season this month, with the remaining episodes dropping in batches of three on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.

Following the success of its summer 2024 debut, which was on the streaming platform¡¯s top 10 list for six consecutive weeks and incited a frenzy of thinkpieces and online discourse, ¡°The Boyfriend¡± is bringing together a new set of bachelors to live, laugh, love ¡ª and make coffee.

The format remains unchanged: A bevy of eligible young men take up residence in a stylish share house called the Green Room while pairing up to work shifts in a coffee truck. Prodded by the occasional prompt from a tablet computer, the housemates get to know each other over hearty home-cooked meals, memorable outings and a few anonymous missives penned spur of the moment.