When I first read the synopsis for the new Japanese reality show Badly in Love, I was genuinely surprised. It’s not your typical glossy dating show with polished influencers and picture-perfect dates. Instead, the participants are “yankees” — Japanese delinquents or rebels, the kind of people society often labels as troublemakers. When I watched the trailer, all the images I’d associated with that word came to life: full-body tattoos, tough stares, a rough, almost gangster-like vibe. Japanese television is known for experimenting with bold formats, but this felt especially daring, and I appreciated that they were willing to push the boundaries of the dating genre.
After watching the first four episodes this week, my stereotype about people like them has already started to break down. Megumi, one of the MCs, expressed it perfectly: society is obsessed with following norms, especially when it comes to romance and relationships. Badly in Love exists to challenge that idea. The participants are raw, unfiltered, and genuinely honest in their actions and emotions. They aren’t pretending to be “ideal” partners or forcing themselves to behave according to social expectations. As a viewer, it feels like something could explode at any moment: a fight, a confrontation, a confession — and that constant emotional tension delivers the kind of dopamine rush reality dating fans live for, but in a very different package.
I hope viewers don’t dismiss the show just because the cast is covered in tattoos or carries a rough, “gangster-like” image. If you look past the surface, you start to see people with real vulnerabilities, complicated histories, and personal scars that shaped who they are. They’re not simply “delinquents” put on screen for shock value; they’re individuals searching for love, acceptance, and a place where they can be themselves without being judged. Deep down, each of them has a backstory worth hearing — and honestly, who are we to judge them based solely on how they look?
Badly in Love is streaming exclusively on Netflix throughout December, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. JST.
This first impression review was written by our friends @EMediaArtsKPLUS on X (formerly Twitter).