My Beautiful Man 2 – Series Review & Ending Explained

My Beautiful Man 2 is the sequel to the Japanese BL series My Beautiful Man.

My Beautiful Man 2 is the sequel to the Japanese BL series My Beautiful Man. The main character's acting career has taken off in the second season, catapulting him to celebrity fame. However, he becomes concerned about the secret romance with his ordinary boyfriend. As his career grows, both protagonists realize their lifestyles and ambitions may not be on the same wavelength.

The My Beautiful Man sequel is an excellent follow-up that explores the complex characters and their fascinating dynamics. In the original, I had reservations about the toxic romance. The sequel fleshes out the couple and makes me more receptive to their unconventional relationship. This well-written BL drama includes offbeat humour, emotional confrontations, and surprisingly sweet moments.

My Beautiful Man 2 Summary

Title:

美しい彼 シーズン2

Series Info:

Japan (2023)

Length:

1 hour and 30 minutes

Total Episodes:

4 episodes

Genre:

Romance

About:

My Beautiful Man 2 is a spicy & romantic BL drama.

Plot

Hira and Kiyoi are boyfriends since high school.

Kiyoi is a young up-and-coming actor whose popularity has been thriving. He's booking many gigs, including hit TV dramas. His latest project involves working closely with Anna, a famous actress. Anna is a bonafide star and has won international awards. Both are managed by the same agency. Kiyoi knows his recent prospects only come due to Anna's fame and mutual connections. However, she doesn't want his gratitude. Anna advises Kiyoi to stay focused and cherish his career opportunities.

Kiyoi is in a secret relationship with his boyfriend, Hira. They used to be high school classmates. Hira adores his boyfriend and thinks the world of him. He praises everything about Kiyoi, from his good looks to his acting capabilities. However, Hira has self-esteem issues and constantly berates himself for his inadequacies. He sees himself as an unworthy partner to Kiyoi, like a pebble to this beautiful king. Kiyoi gets annoyed with Hira's insecurities and calls him "creepy" or "disgusting".

Hira is in his final year of university. He's wondering about his career after graduation. Although Hira has tried applying for part-time jobs, he's struck by nerves and stammering during interviews. Nobody wants to hire him. At school, Hira is a part of the photography club. His friend, Koyama, is also a part of the same club. Previously, Koyama confessed his love to him. Hira rejected the confession and chose to be with Kiyoi. Despite this, they've remained platonic friends. Koyama encourages Hira to apply for jobs or enter photography competitions.

Hira and Kiyoi live together in the same house. Hira happily cooks, cleans, and does all the household errands. Kiyoi returns home to delicious meals prepared by his boyfriend. When Kiyoi is working, Hira visits him on set as part of his fan club. Dressed in a conspicuous disguise, he has earned the nickname "Suspicious-kun" because he stands out among the other female fans. As Kiyoi becomes more famous, Hira feels self-conscious about his unworthiness. He sees himself as a nobody who doesn't deserve to be with a superstar like Kiyoi.

My Beautiful Man Season 2 Trailer

My Beautiful Man 2 Cast

Characters

Hira

Riku Hagiwara (萩原利久)

Hira is portrayed by the Japanese actor Riku Hagiwara (萩原利久).

Hira is an ordinary university student in his final year. He likes taking pictures and has joined the school's photography club. Unbeknownst to others, Hira is secretly dating Kiyoi, his high school classmate. He worships his boyfriend and constantly praises him. However, Hira suffers from self-esteem issues. He sees himself as unworthy to be in a relationship with Kiyoi.

Riku Hagiwara

Riku Hagiwara (萩原利久) is a Japanese actor. He is born on February 28, 1999.

Riku Hagiwara (萩原利久) is a Japanese actor. He is born on February 28, 1999. His first BL project is the 2021 drama, My Beautiful Man. He also stars in the 2023 sequel My Beautiful Man 2 and the follow-up film My Beautiful Man: Eternal.

Kiyoi

Yusei Yagi (八木勇征)

Kiyoi is portrayed by the Japanese actor Yusei Yagi (八木勇征).

Kiyoi is a young up-and-coming actor whose career has been thriving. He's scoring gigs in TV dramas. Kiyoi even has his own fan club. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Kiyoi is secretly dating Hira. They have known each other since high school. Kiyoi lives at his boyfriend's house, where Hira cooks, cleans, and does all the household errands.

Yusei Yagi

Yusei Yagi (八木勇征) is a Japanese actor. He is born on May 6, 1997.

Yusei Yagi (八木勇征) is a Japanese actor. He is born on May 6, 1997. His first BL project is the 2021 series, My Beautiful Man. He also stars in the 2023 follow-up My Beautiful Man 2 and the movie sequel My Beautiful Man: Eternal.

Supporting Cast

Koyama is portrayed by the Japanese actor Akira Takano (高野洸).

Koyama

Akira Takano (高野洸)

Anna is portrayed by the Japanese actress Sawa Nimura (仁村紗和).

Anna

Sawa Nimura (仁村紗和)

Noguchi is portrayed by the Japanese actor Soko Wada (和田聰宏).

Noguchi

Soko Wada (和田聰宏)

Shitama is portrayed by the Japanese actor Motoki Ochiai (落合モトキ).

Shitama

Motoki Ochiai (落合モトキ)

Sawazaki is portrayed by the Japanese actor Kenshin Endo (遠藤健慎).

Sawazaki

Kenshin Endo (遠藤健慎)

Horii is portrayed by the Japanese actor Kenshin Endo (遠藤健慎).

Horii

Kenshin Endo (遠藤健慎)

Suga is portrayed by the Japanese actor Yuta Kanai (金井勇太).

Suga

Yuta Kanai (金井勇太)

Yamagata is portrayed by the Japanese actor Kisuke Iida (飯田基祐).

Yamagata

Kisuke Iida (飯田基祐)

Naho is portrayed by the Japanese actress Aya Ayano (綾乃彩).

Naho

Aya Ayano (綾乃彩)

Cast Highlights

  • Most of the cast members from My Beautiful Man Season 1 appears in Season 2. Many supporting characters return for cameos in Episode 4 of the sequel.
  • Sawazaki's actor (Kenshin Endo) is the star of the 2022 Japanese BL movie Sing in Love. The disturbing story explores sexual assault trauma.

My Beautiful Man 2 Review

Review

Drama Review Score: 8.3

B+
Hira and Kiyoi have an intimate encounter.

Going into My Beautiful Man 2, I was a skeptical viewer. In the original series, I felt disturbed by the toxic relationship between the leads. The lopsided power dynamic in their dysfunctional romance never appealed to me. Surprisingly, the second season has made me more receptive to the couple. I have a better sense of what the characters see in each other. The plot emphasizes less on their abusive moments. Instead, My Beautiful Man 2 focuses on the lovers working through their incompatibility issues.

I like that the leads live together this season. Their domestic bliss creates many sweet BL moments. Seeing them enjoy meals, sleep in the same bed, or hang out around the house makes this couple feel authentic. Despite their coziness, My Beautiful Man 2 will never be the blueprint for healthy romances. Hira's interpretation of love seems delusional, treating himself like a lowly servant to his royal master. He goes overboard with uncomfortable remarks, obsessive behaviour, and extreme devotion. Hira doesn't have an equal or mutually understanding relationship with his partner.

Hira is a quirky character who reacts differently to situations than your typical protagonist. From his neurotic thoughts to his overdramatic personality, Hira defies etiquette and gives unexpected responses. Sometimes, his inappropriate behaviour can be funny if you have a morbid sense of humour. Other times, his eccentricity offers a compelling source of conflict. A central plot in Season 2 is rehabilitating Hira's warped confidence. As Kiyoi helps Hira gain self-assurance, they have emotional exchanges with memorable lines. These well-written scenes resonate powerfully.

I used to think the title "My Beautiful Man" referred to how Hira perceives the handsome Kiyoi. This season, the name expands its meaning. It also describes Kiyoi's growing attraction to his boyfriend. He finally recognizes the beauty within Hira and begins cherishing him. Kiyoi seems less antagonistic in this series, a welcomed change from his callousness during the original drama. Although he still speaks harshly to Hira, his hostility has dialled down compared to before. Kiyoi now refers to Hira as "my man". There's more warmth and tenderness in his interactions.

Both Kiyoi and Hira experience growth as they go on introspective journeys. The complex protagonists and their fascinating dynamics are the greatest strengths of My Beautiful Man 2. This BL drama has an intelligent plot with thoughtful character arcs, which unfold skillfully in just four concise episodes. Even if I don't always agree with the twisted messages about love, I can appreciate the intricate storytelling. Best of all, the talented actors inject vibrant enthusiasm and vivid personality into their roles. They handle the comedic, dramatic, and romantic material elegantly.

My Beautiful Man 2 has a happy ending when Hira makes a surprise breakthrough with his personal ambitions. I like seeing this progress in his character. Hira begins the series thinking he isn't worthy enough. Thanks to his boyfriend's support, he moves on from the confusing phase with a newfound direction. While the conclusion seems firm and decisive, it's open-ended enough to intrigue viewers about the upcoming film. Overall, My Beautiful Man 2 is an excellent sequel that improves my opinion of the franchise. This sophisticated love story has finally won over me.

Summary

Sophisticated story

My Beautiful Man 2 has a well-written story exploring the complex characters and their relationship dynamics. There are emotional exchanges with memorable lines that resonate powerfully.

Flawed romance

The couple enjoys domestic bliss with surprisingly sweet moments. Hira goes overboard with his obsessive behaviour and extreme devotion. Thankfully, Kiyoi learns to cherish his boyfriend.

Capable acting

The lead actors (Riku Hagiwara and Yusei Yagi) give excellent performances and create characters with vivid personalities. They handle the comedic, dramatic, and romantic material elegantly.

Happy ending

My Beautiful Man 2 has a happy ending where Hira makes a breakthrough in his career. He experiences meaningful growth. I'm excited about the movie sequel that continues this story.

Polished artistry

The series has a polished presentation. I like how messy the rooms look, giving Hira's house a lived-in feel. In addition, I enjoy the opening theme song and find the music catchy.

83%

My Beautiful Man 2 is an excellent sequel to the original story. Although not perfect, the romance has become more mature and supportive. The protagonists also go on complex emotional arcs.

My Beautiful Man 2 Episodes

Episode Guide

Hira scares Kiyoi when he starts screaming.

My Beautiful Man Season 2 has a total of 4 episodes. Each episode is around 24 minutes long. It is a short BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in under 2 hours. My Beautiful Man 2 started on February 8, 2023 and ended on March 1, 2023.

My Beautiful Man 2 is the sequel to My Beautiful Man. The first season started on November 18, 2021 and ended its last episode on December 23, 2021. In addition, My Beautiful Man 2 has a film sequel that released on April 7, 2023.

Episode 1
Episode 2

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review
Hira wears a suspicious get-up to attend a fan meeting.

Dying at Hira's Suspicious-kun get-up. Hira lives with this celebrity and gets VIP access to him every night. Yet, he still attends these meetings as a fan. His devotion to Kiyoi is unparalleled. Also, it's interesting how Kiyoi defends Suspicious-kun before his colleagues. He gets snippy at his agency's CEO, a move that jeopardizes his budding career. The old Kiyoi might not have spoken up in this situation. But the new and improved Kiyoi won't let others talk crap about his boyfriend.

"I wanted to show off how cool my man was." Oh, I love that line. When Kiyoi brought Hira to the party, it seemed insensitive to his boyfriend's needs. Typically, Hira wouldn't fare well in this hip social setting. However, this line explains Kiyoi's mindset. His actions came from a place of pride, like he wanted to flaunt someone that made him happy. Also, referring to Hira as "my man" is such a passionate term of endearment. Despite his tsundere attitude, Kiyoi sounds fond of Hira. Kiyoi has changed from the previous series. He seems far more in love with Hira in Season 2.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review
Hira worships the food that Kiyoi cooked for him.

OMG. I'm dying at Koyama's passive-aggressive bitchiness around Kiyoi. During their short exchange, he manages to sneak in multiple insults at his love rival. Koyama implies Kiyoi is a freeloader, a bad cook, and a lazy boyfriend. Wow, the claws came out! Get her, Jade! 😆 What makes the scene funnier is that Koyama NEVER uses this attitude around Hira. He always acts kind and understanding around his crush. Yet, Koyama gets spicy at Kiyoi with a few under-the-belt jibes.

NOT THE DAMN PHONE INTERRUPTION!!! 🤬 Why do people only call when the main characters are about to kiss in BL dramas!? I get my hopes up thinking they're about to smooch, only to get cockblocked by a sudden ringtone. Can there be some universal rule that forbids this aggravating scenario from happening? We need the BL equivalent of "Please turn off all electronic devices before takeoff."

That hot pot scene is charming. I crack up when Hira says, "Your cooking is on the same level as the grapes from Olympus." His over-the-top comments are so funny. Besides the lighthearted comedy, I enjoy seeing the couple's domestic bliss. Typically, Hira does all the household errands, so I like how the roles are reversed. Kiyoi steps out of his comfort zone to cook for his boyfriend. After learning how hard it is to prepare a tasty meal, he gains a newfound appreciation for Hira's work. It's a great bonding moment that helps Kiyoi understand Hira more.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review
Hira looks at all the photos of Kiyoi.

I love Koyama. His character is likable, and I've rooted for him since his introduction. I actually don't ship him with Hira because Koyama can do better. However, Koyama gives off strong homewrecker vibes this season. He lurks opportunistically on the sidelines, hoping to pounce on Hira if his relationship with Kiyoi falters. After Hira lost the contest, Koyama ran after his friend to comfort him. His agenda was so blatant in that scene. Dude, stop trying to score brownie points. Hira doesn't want you, ok? Move on!

The final scene comes with exhilarating emotions. I can understand both characters' struggles. From Hira's perspective, he battles with inferiority. "The star will be dragged down to my level." He won't allow Kiyoi to meet his parents, thinking the family visit causes inconvenience. Yet, Kiyoi has a different perspective and sees it as an insult. He hates feeling excluded from his partner's personal life. "So you prefer unrequited love, right?" is a powerful line that expresses Kiyoi's frustrations. He's disheartened that Hira keeps pushing himself away and putting distance in their relationship.

Episode 3
Episode 4

Episode 4

Ending Review
Hira and Kiyoi ride a bicycle together.

"Don't look up at me. But face me." There are a few contenders, but this may be the best line of My Beautiful Man 2. The message is elegant in its simplicity. Kiyoi clearly states he doesn't want Hira to idolize him. His love shouldn't come from admiration. Instead, he wants Hira to be his equal. His love should come from mutual respect & understanding. Hira thinks their romance is between a pebble and a star. Yet, Kiyoi inspires his boyfriend's growth so that they can both be stars.

Anna serves as a parallel to Hira and Kiyoi's relationship. In Episode 2, Kiyoi looked up to Anna and felt thankful that her fame brought him career opportunities. However, she was annoyed by his gratitude. Anna doesn't want Kiyoi to be her fan. His reverence signifies a lopsided power dynamic as if she's superior to her costar. Instead, Anna prefers Kiyoi to be an equal partner. They can talk openly and confide in each other during this episode, proving their relationship is based on mutual respect. Anna's storyline echoes the themes that Kiyoi and Hira face in their love lives.

My Beautiful Man 2 ends with Hira as a work in progress. When the story started, he suffered from low confidence. Hira saw himself as an ordinary guy who didn't deserve to be with his talented boyfriend. He's content being a fan on the sidelines. However, Kiyoi drives Hira's ambition. Instead of staying stagnant, Kiyoi encourages his partner to grow and pursue aspirations. The series ends happily as Hira finds a new job working for a famous photographer. He hasn't completely transformed himself yet. Nonetheless, he's on the right path of self-improvement.

My Beautiful Man Series

Series

Season 1

My Beautiful Man 2 is the Season 2 of the Japanese BL series My Beautiful Man.

My Beautiful Man 2 is the sequel to the 2022 Japanese BL series My Beautiful Man. The original story is a 6-episode series that started on November 18, 2021 and ended its last episode on December 23, 2021. The drama was popular among fans. The franchise launched two sequels in 2023, forming a trilogy. My Beautiful Man 2 is the second installment. In addition, My Beautiful Man: Eternal is the movie sequel that released in April 2023.

You should watch the original My Beautiful Man before the sequel. The original series introduces Hira and Kiyoi, explaining how they met during high school. These two teenagers didn't have the best relationship. Midway through the series, the narrative jumps to their university days. Their relationship has become more complicated. While the first season is well-written, the toxic romance troubled me. There's a lot of verbal abuse. In the sequel, Hira becomes less antagonistic. He starts cherishing his love interest more. Overall, I enjoy My Beautiful Man Season 2 more than its first series.

Movie

My Beautiful Man: Eternal is the sequel of My Beautiful Man 2.

My Beautiful Man: Eternal is a Japanese film that released on April 7, 2023. It is the third installment in the My Beautiful Man franchise. The movie sequel continues the love story with the same characters. The events occur after My Beautiful Man 2. You should complete the first two seasons of the televised drama before watching the film.

The My Beautiful Man: Eternal movie is enjoyable. Its story includes many thoughtful themes and sophisticated character arcs in under two hours. The film also contains romantic encounters, including a sexy bathtub encounter! In addition, the film looks aesthetically pleasing. The My Beautiful Man team serves elegant visuals with symbolic visual cues. I appreciate this movie, which raised my overall opinion of the franchise.

My Beautiful Man Season 2 Information

Director

Mai Sakai (酒井麻衣) is a Japanese director. Her first BL project is the 2021 drama, My Beautiful Man. She also directed its sequels My Beautiful Man 2 (2023) and My Beautiful Man: Eternal (2023).

  1. Agreed! The toxic dynamics in the first series were so disturbing, I am surprised I made it all the way through. However, season 2 showed so much character development, especially for Kiyoi. How hurt he was to be objectified by Hira, who admits he doesn't want to know his true feelings, but prefers to worship. That from a boyfriend with whom you've been living with for how long? Maybe it's karma from all the bullying, but I felt that. Anyway, it would be great to have a season 3 and see how this resolves.
    By the way, the house that Hira inherited from his parents is lovely!

  2. I love your review. The series is sure interesting and making us follow what will their future be.
    It's great that they continued the series. Hoping for Hira to come out of his shell and be confident.

  3. Thank you…thank you…thank you, for this amazing site.

    I'm not a man of many words…but I am a man of much appreciation.

     

  4. I really love your reviews. This one, I was interested in.

    I was SO distraught with this season because I saw how much Kiyoi was going mad with the whole "I'm praising you. You're God. You don't have to meet my peasant parents, etc." from Hira. It drove ME mad because season 1 ended with Kiyoi literally crying to him about how he was not a God, he was just an ordinary guy who wanted to feel love from his partner, not admiration from a fan.

    I didn't really like that season 2 brought the issue back as if Kiyoi didn't sob to him at the end of season 1. Therefore, I really didn't find season 2 to be well-written in that sense since the same issues just resurfaced with no resolution. It was as if the writers just put that to the side with no solution. HOWEVER, those were my thoughts before reading the review.

    "However, Kiyoi drives Hira's ambition. Instead of staying stagnant, Kiyoi encourages his partner to grow and pursue aspirations… He hasn't completely transformed himself yet. Nonetheless, he's on the right path of self-improvement." this caught my attention and shifted my view of it more. I could see it now it was a work-in-progress ending, which isn't something I'm used to. I normally like the "this is what happens. That is that." I really would've wanted to see if Hira learned his lesson to see Kiyoi as his boyfriend and not his king, but I guess that's just the path of self-improvement.

    It is nice to see Hira getting a job and moving alone from that "I'm stuck" mindset after the photography contests. I still have this itching feeling that Hira could've listened to Kiyoi more about his needs, but nonetheless, it was a good watch. Good review!! I've using your lists to see which shows to avoid and watch LOL, thank you for your work!!

  5. When will My Beautiful Man: Eternal be available with English subs? From what I've seen it looks excellent. I found the full film online in Japanese and you can enable English auto translate but it only works for a second or two so you have to refresh constantly, and always miss some lines during the transition. Arghh. I loved S2 of this show and Eternal seems even better. I'd happily pay to see it with legitimate subs but that does not seem to be an option in the US. Look forward to properly understanding it one day. Meanwhile I can watch it in Japanese for the aesthetics. That opening dream sequence with the chiffon? A+.

  6. Okay! I'm getting the picture now. I think Hira has some psychological instability, which explains his cringe-worthy and sociopathic demeanour. Kyoi eventually understands this but is attracted to Hira's personality and dynamic. I'm so happy they made Hira cute this season and gave the viewers a taste of his potential—that he is not just a weirdo but can be a HOT weirdo. This would make Kyoi's attraction to him make sense. He can see through his weirdo-ness!

    Their relationship progresses positively this season, and they get to know each other well. This is a good sequel.

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