"200k words slowburn": The Boyfriend fans praise Shun and Dai's relationship on the Netflix show

The Boyfriend season 1 premiered on July 9, 2024, on Netflix, and is set to air its season finale on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Over the last few weeks, fans saw the couples formed on the show get to know one another on Japan's first-ever same-s*x reality dating show. It shows the men living in a beach-front house, called the Green Room, and working in shifts at a coffee truck.

One such couple was Shun and Dai, who had a turbulent journey on the show. While Dai was certain he wanted to pursue a relationship with Shun, the latter initially didn't think anyone in the Green Room was his type. However, as the show progressed, Shun opened up to Dai about his past and his insecurities and the two made their relationship official in episode 8.

Fans of The Boyfriend took to social media to chime in on the couple and appreciate the way their relationship evolved. One person wrote on X:

"They really are serving the 200k words slowburn strangers to lovers to "friends" to lovers. #TheBoyfriend"

Fans took to X to express their feelings about the couple, with many appreciating the little things they did for each other.

"netflix casually dropping the most romantic dai & shun shot OKAYYY #theboyfriend," a fan commented.

"when dai is talking, shun is listening, and vice versa. shun’s eyes were mesmerizing the whole time he was with dai. dai fell first, but shun fell harder!!!! #TheBoyfriend #DaiShun," a tweet read.

The Boyfriend season 1 fans also spoke about the couple's behavior, including Shun leaning his head on Dai's shoulder and Dai looking at Shun when someone mentioned love at first sight. Some also discussed their first kiss, which was showcased in episode 8, with many calling Dai a "green flag" for waiting till his partner was comfortable with it.

"hold up??? i’m rewatching ep 8 and look what i’ve missed from the first time i watched it but luckily, i found this and look at shun leaning towards dai’s shoulder with closed eyes #TheBoyfriend #DaiShun," a tweet read.

"I can't get over how Dai got so shy here when TH brought up the club game my man was so confident when he passed the phone to Shun but look at him all giggly and shy here #TheBoyfriend #DaiShun." a person wrote.

"When Alan said he'd never fallen in love at first sight, Dai immediately looked at Shun because he's attracted to him at first sight #daishun #theboyfriend," a fan commented.

"Can we talk about how Dai was desperate (in a good way) to kiss Shun, he was literally fighting to maintain control and yet he didn't kiss him and waited until Shun felt comfortable and took the initiative ?? Can he be more green flag ?? #TheBoyfriend #DaiShun," a person wrote.

"Dai had to use all his self-control to keep himself in check and not kiss Shun, he conveyed to Shun what he wanted through his actions and stares but he was waiting for Shun to take the initiative. He was going crazy ! #TheBoyfriend #DaiShun," a fan commented.

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Dai and Shun go on a date in The Boyfriend season 1 episode 8

Despite starting The Boyfriend episode 8 on a slightly bad note, Dai and Shun overcame their differences and reconciled. Dai was upset that Shun didn't volunteer to run the coffee truck with him, even after stating that he wanted to. However, once Dai came back to the house, Shun spoke to him privately and explained that he felt "overwhelmed."

The conversation wasn't particularly fruitful, as Dai was still upset with Shun's behavior. However, after speaking to Teahon, Shun tried to tell Dai how he felt and the two hugged it out.

They were revealed to be one of the three couples who were sent on dates in The Boyfriend season 1 episode 8, where Shun opened up about his past. He told Dai that he wanted to "let go" of his past as he had "stayed in bad situations" just because he thought the men were attractive.

"First of all, I didn't date anyone until I was 18. I'd never had s*x, or even a kiss. Well, except for the last guy I dated from New York. I really want to let go of my past. Besides him, I've stayed in bad situations, just because I thought they were attractive," The Boyfriend cast member said.

Shun added that he was "ashamed" of his past self and wondered why he fell in love with the people he loved in the past.

Dai said he never fell in love with anyone in the past and added that his The Boyfriend season 1 co-star, Shun, was the only one who challenged him so much. Dai added that he believed he met Shun for a "very particular reason," and said that he had learned a lot since the two met.

After getting to know each other more, the two cast members called it a night. While they were initially sleeping in different beds, Shun climbed into Dai's bed, and the two shared a kiss before going to bed.

Watching Dai and Shun's relationship develop throughout the show, fans of The Boyfriend season 1 took to social media to appreciate the time they took to get to know each other.

The Boyfriend is set to air its season finale on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, exclusively on Netflix.