'Queer Eye: We're In Japan!' Special, Episode 2 Review: Focus on open-hearted talk, faith in self-worth, and above all, style

‘Queer Eye’ continues its trip to Japan with an examination of just what it means to be queer in a culture that has yet to completely accept those of non-heterosexual orientation. This episode, ‘Crazy in Love’, explores that theme in a way that only ‘Queer Eye’ can - with fun, open-hearted conversations, affirmations of self-worth and above all, style. 

At first glance, this episode's Hero is an odd choice. Ken had anxieties as a gay child growing up, but appears to have blossomed, out and proud, while attending college in Vancouver, taking that a step further when he found love in London while pursuing his Masters. He’s in a 2-year, long-distance relationship with his boyfriend, and plans to one day move out of Japan to be with him. Sure, his wardrobe’s a little bland, but surely not every colorless wardrobe needs a visit from the Fab Five? 

A closer look, however, finds someone who is intensely uncomfortable with the society he’s living in - even more than that society is uncomfortable with him. His anxiety and lack of confidence has had his best self buried deep inside, with shame, to the extent that even his own home contains very little of his own personality. When asked by Tan where Kan thinks his underconfidence comes from, Kan says, “I pay attention to what people say.” It’s a unique spin on the problem of internalizing shame. 

Kan is someone that the team bonds with immediately. As queer themselves, the Fab Five are all able to relate to some extent what Kan has been going through - although they also recognize where their experiences diverge. One of the worries of setting the show in Japan is that it might come off as Americans (and one Brit) imposing their ideas onto another culture, but there is none of that here. The team shows great respect for the Japanese culture, and what’s more, an awareness of their own cultural ignorance. They ask questions about what they don’t understand, and seek not to give Kan a way to change the world around him, but instead find a way to reconcile who he is inside with that world. 

As grooming expert Jonathan tells Kan, sometimes the most radical way to fight against prejudice is to simply refuse to accept the shame that other people would place upon you. It’s not always about standing out to challenge convention - loving yourself when society attempts to shame that self takes just as much strength, and is just as important.

Karamo helps Kan establish his own support system. Japan has its own gay culture, one that Kan had yet to be introduced to. The most standout scene of the episode has Kan meet with a gay Buddhist monk, who’s also a makeup artist. The monk had found a way for his gay identity and his cultural one to work together - which is exactly what the Fab Five spend the episode trying to help Kan to do. 

With some new clothes and an apartment done up to feel like home, Kan is a new Kan by the end of the episode. He stands straighter, and the friendly nervousness in his face is replaced with confident joy. He had, earlier in the episode, been introduced to the idea of having ‘one foot out the door’ by Bobby. Over a dinner where Kan introduces his boyfriend to his family, Kan talks about how important it is to live where you are - to have a space for yourself in the present. He talks of how he now has both feet on the ground. 

Thanks to the Fab Five, he also has the shoes to make it look good.