"Could You Date a Tattooed Gangster?"...Explaining the Controversial Show 'Furyou Renai' [Sunday Culture]

Delinquent Culture on Full Display with Special Combat Uniforms and Irezumi Tattoos
Police Implement Yakuza Countermeasures... Mixed Reactions Within Japan

"Have you ever been arrested?"

Would you believe it if you heard this was a question exchanged between people interested in each other? I always thought Korea was the leader in dating reality shows, but recently, a Japanese dating show on Netflix has been making waves. The show, "Furyou Renai," features former organized crime members (Yakuza), biker gang members, and hosts, all seeking romance. It has drawn so much attention that it even ranked third in Netflix viewership in Korea. The show makes a strong impression right from the start, with contestants appearing in special combat uniforms and getting into a fight, asking, "What are you looking at?"

Japanese Netflix's dating show 'Furyou Renai'. Netflix Japan Instagram.

This program tells the stories of people who could not blend into society, so it is true that there are cultural elements that may be difficult to understand in Korea. Even in Japan, the perception of these groups is not entirely positive, to the extent that the country has enacted the "Anti-Yakuza Law." Today, I will introduce you to various aspects of Japan's "delinquent culture" as reflected in "Furyou Renai."

Representative image of the Japanese Netflix dating show "Bullyangyeonae". Netflix.

The Attitude Revealed in the Title... Appearing in Combat Uniforms and Tattoos

While the show is translated as "Furyou Renai" in Korea, the original Japanese title is "Love Joto" (ラヴ上等). In Japanese, "joto" (上等) means "the highest quality." Delinquents often use this word. They might say it when they feel someone is being arrogant, and the phrase "joto da" (上等だ) is also used to express a willingness to accept a challenge. When attached to a noun, it means "to willingly accept and brace oneself for something." For this reason, the combat uniforms worn by biker gangs or Yakuza often feature phrases like "fight joto," meaning "I welcome a fight." Considering this, the show's title "Love Joto" carries the nuance of being willing to give everything for love.

Most of the male contestants appear in combat uniforms, which are symbols of biker gangs and Yakuza. While it may remind people of special forces attire, it has no connection to the military. The outfit actually originated from modified workwear worn by construction workers. They began wearing it as a statement, similar to the founding spirit of special forces: "risking their lives for fights or reckless driving." They also embroider meaningful phrases onto their uniforms, such as "Tenjo Tenge Yuiga Dokuson" (Supreme Self), "Bousou Kizoku" (Noble Biker), "Tenka Muteki" (Invincible Under Heaven), and "Gokuaku Mudo" (Utterly Ruthless), all of which sound quite intimidating. In the past, Japanese right-wing activists also wore these uniforms, which is why phrases like "Kamikaze Special Attack Unit" and "Patriotic Martyr" are commonly embroidered as well.

A scene of male contestants fighting in episode 1 of the Japanese Netflix dating show "Furyangyeonae." All are wearing special combat suits. Netflix.

Most of the contestants have various tattoos. Given that Japan is even more conservative than Korea regarding tattoos, it is surprising how the show managed to bring together so many people with dragon tattoos. In particular, the former Yakuza contestant "Yanbo" stands out with a large tattoo of the King of Hell covering his chest and stomach. Tomohiko Suzuki, a columnist who authored the book "I Met 2,000 Yakuza," explained the relationship between Yakuza and tattoos in the Asahi Shimbun: "They get tattoos as a declaration that they will never return to a normal life and will remain Yakuza for life." He also noted that in prison, the more elaborate and larger the tattoos, the less likely other inmates are to mess with them.

These days, the number of Yakuza without tattoos is increasing. According to Suzuki, many Yakuza regret getting tattoos, with the main reason being "bathing." Yakuza traditionally build camaraderie by bathing together, but as more and more public baths across Japan ban people with tattoos, they are losing access to these facilities.

A male cast member 'Tsuchan' from the Japanese Netflix show 'Bad Romance' is seen writing a love letter to someone he is interested in. Netflix.

Even the State Monitors Yakuza... Japan Has an Anti-Yakuza Law

In Japan, the official term for Yakuza is "boryokudan," meaning "violent group." The word "Yakuza" actually comes from a Japanese card game, where a hand totaling 10 or 20 points scores nothing. The combination of 8, 9, and 3 adds up to such a hand. Just as the hand is useless, the term "Yakuza" (八九三) came to refer to people considered useless to society. Yakuza built their power by managing gambling dens and businesses, but recently, they have become involved in crimes such as drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and illegal lending. They are even involved in match-fixing in sports like sumo wrestling.

This is why Japan has enacted the "Anti-Yakuza Ordinance." The police crack down on crimes committed by these groups, seize illegal weapons, and regularly arrest members to reduce their numbers. In fact, the public safety commissions of Japan's prefectures have designated 22 nationwide gangs as "designated violent groups." These groups are under special surveillance by the police and face disadvantages in various administrative and official procedures. There is even a "five-year rule" for anti-social forces, meaning that even if someone leaves the Yakuza, they are treated the same as active members for five years after their departure. This shows just how many penalties have been put in place to eradicate these groups.

Promotional poster for the "Anti-Yakuza Ordinance" announced by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. It urges people to avoid involvement with the organized crime groups known as "Yakuza." Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

Biker gangs are no exception, as they are closely linked to violent groups and Yakuza. According to Japanese police, "Yakuza often recruit youths from delinquent groups like biker gangs to expand their power and secure funds. There is such a close relationship that Yakuza frequently resolve traffic accidents or fights that occur during reckless driving incidents."

For this reason, there has been debate not only in Japan but also in Korea about whether the show is essentially glorifying criminals. On Japanese social media, reactions are divided, ranging from "Wouldn't it be embarrassing if this is introduced to the world as Japanese culture?" to "There have already been many movies and dramas featuring Yakuza. It's not public broadcasting, it's Netflix, so what's the problem?" In reality, these are people whom Japanese society has long tried to exclude, now suddenly appearing as attractive characters before viewers, so it is understandable that both perspectives exist. If you watch the show with an understanding of the context and reality, you may be able to appreciate it from a different angle.