"I'm in love with you" — The Boyfriend star Shun makes a heartfelt confession to Dai

The Boyfriend season 1 concluded on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. In the long-awaited season finale, viewers saw two couples, Shun and Dai, and Kazuto and Alan, leave the Green Room together, promising a potential future outside the show. As Japan's first-ever sam-s*x dating show, it featured how emotionally challenging it could be to find a compatible partner.

The contestants entered the show, hoping to forge romantic connections, but not everyone succeeded. Shun and Dai might have walked out of the show together, but their relationship was not one without obstacles. In episode 10, Shun recognized his feelings and professed his love to Dai.

"In my mind, I have strong feelings that I need to tell you about. Dai, I'm in love with you," said Shun.

The Boyfriend star Dai was pleasantly surprised by the confession and reciprocated his feelings. The couple cheerfully embraced each other and shared a kiss to remember the moment.

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The Boyfriend star Shun reveals he could not understand why Dai liked him

Shun began his journey inside the Green Room with the belief that none of the men were of his "type." Although the 23-year-old received an anonymous letter from 22-year-old Dai in the first episode, he failed to acknowledge the spark. However, it did not dissuade Dai from pursuing him. During their conversation in episode 10, Shun said:

"When I look back, I noticed you liked me or that you had feelings for me, but I wondered why I was the one you were into."

In episode 2, Shun told castmate Ryota that he felt Dai overreacted in situations. Although he had a lively personality, his expressive nature often overwhelmed Shun. The difference in their temperaments made Shun wonder why Dai pursued him.

The couple went on a date to the zoo, where Dai confronted Shun about his feelings, urging him to express them. However, Shun stated he felt uncomfortable opening up. Despite the hurdle, Dai claimed him to be someone "very important" to him. Looking back at their journey in episode 10, Shun said that he didn't enjoy their first date "at all."

Throughout the show, Shun kept distancing himself from Dai, stating he was different from The Boyfriend star. In episode 2, Shun found some explicit images on Dai's phone, and wondered if the latter was a "player." Although Dai reassured him that he would "be safe" with him, The Boyfriend alum felt uncertain about their connection.

Due to tension in their relationship, Shun revealed to Dai that he would prefer to be friends instead of engaging in a romantic connection. However, his perspective on Dai started to change after castmate Ikuo showed an interest in him. During his confession in episode 10, Shun revisited the moment and revealed how he felt then.

"I hated the idea of agreeing just because you like me. I said I wanted to just be friends. I wanted to reset. Then I became interested. It made it easier for me to accept that you liked me. That your feelings weren't shallow," said Shun.

Once Shun realized his feelings for his The Boyfriend castmate, he said he started behaving like a spoiled person, seeking affection from Dai. Since they argued on minor subjects, he feared Dai would not take him "seriously" anymore, but was impressed to see his attention not get diluted.

As a result, Shun climbed into Dai's bed during their sleepover date in episode 8, officializing their relationship.

Shun stated that he did not imagine their relationship could transform into something mature. Impressed by Dai's constant support, despite his tantrums, Shun could not help but fall in love with him. Shun professed his feelings to his The Boyfriend partner, who said:

"Shun, I'm in love with you too."

The couple thanked each other for everything and walked off, discussing how often they would like to see each other after the cameras stopped rolling.

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All episodes of The Boyfriend season 1 are currently streaming on Netflix.