The latest episode of Netflix’s cross-cultural reality show features a home-cooked breakfast and a conversation about how a simple online chat changed everything.
The new Netflix reality series My Korean Boyfriend follows five Brazilian women who travel to Seoul, South Korea, to meet the Korean men they have been dating online. The show explores whether real-life relationships can live up to the romantic fantasies often seen in K-dramas. In Episode 5, which is part of the second batch of episodes released on January 8, 2026, Mariana Tollendal spends a meaningful morning with her partner, Danny. During their time together, she reflected on the incredible journey that started with a simple message and led her across the world.
Mariana and Danny’s Intimate Breakfast Meeting
The episode shows Mariana visiting Danny at his home in Seoul. This visit is notable because Danny reveals that, aside from his mother, Mariana is the first person he has ever invited over. He does not even cook for his close friends, making the homemade breakfast he prepares for her a significant gesture.
Mariana brings Brazilian candy for Danny and admits she can hardly believe she is actually at his house. As Danny makes two different types of Korean pancakes, a food Mariana has never tried before, they talk comfortably. She shares that she has been thinking about him a lot. Their conversation shows how their relationship has grown from online chats to a real, shared experience in person.
“This Is Crazy”: From Online Chats to a Seoul Apartment
At the heart of the episode is a moment where Danny asks Mariana about her first impression of him, both from their online talks and their in-person meeting. Her heartfelt answer captures the surreal nature of their story.
“When you approached me online, I just thought it was going to be just another superficial conversation… I would never imagine that that audio, those texts, those video calls would lead me here, to your place, while you’re cooking pancakes for me. This is crazy,” Mariana told Danny.
This sums up the core theme of My Korean Boyfriend: testing whether a connection formed through a screen can become a lasting reality. Mariana and Danny acknowledge they had been talking for over six months and did not expect to meet so soon. Their easy company during the breakfast shows their comfort with each other, a contrast to the nervousness of their first face-to-face meeting shown in earlier episodes.
How the Other Couples Are Faring
The series features four other Brazilian women and their partners, each dealing with unique challenges.
- Morena Monaco and Su-woong: Their relationship is the most advanced. Su-woong proposed to Morena during the first set of episodes, and she accepted. However, they face cultural pressures, particularly from Su-woong’s mother, regarding Morena’s behavior and style.
- Katy Dias and Jack: Their story shows that not all online chemistry translates in person. After meeting by chance on a train in Busan a year prior, they found they have very little in common. Katy decided they are better off as friends.
- Luanny Vital and Si-won: This is the most turbulent relationship. Luanny, a single mother, is concerned about Si-won’s financial instability and his family’s potential disapproval. Their arguments have involved issues of trust and respect.
- Camila Kim: Unlike the others, Camila did not have an existing Korean partner. Born in Seoul but raised in Brazil, she joined the trip to reconnect with her heritage and explore her roots.
Cultural Differences and “K-Drama” Expectations
A major element of the show is the cultural gap between Brazilian and Korean dating norms. Brazil is known for a more open and physically affectionate dating culture, while Korean culture can be more conservative, especially in the early stages of a relationship. This difference is shown in small moments, like when Danny feels nervous about public displays of affection because of Korean social norms.
The women all share an appreciation for K-dramas, which influenced their romantic expectations. The show questions whether those scripted fantasies can survive real-world issues like language barriers, family opinions, and everyday compatibility. Episode 4 highlighted how fantasy meets reality, noting that “fantasy permits generosity, but proximity requires compatibility”.
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Release Schedule and How to Watch
My Korean Boyfriend is streaming globally on Netflix. The show was released in two parts. The first four episodes became available on January 1, 2026. Episodes 5 through 8, which include the continuation of Mariana and Danny’s story, dropped on January 8, 2026. The series format also includes special reaction episodes where celebrities and influencers watch and discuss the main episodes.
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