Didn't Live Up to the Expectations
Honestly, it felt quite flat and didn’t really live up to the expectations of a modern dating storyline. Jisoo’s acting also came across as rather dull for most of the drama, although she did deliver well in a few scenes. On top of that, her makeup throughout the series looked unusually pale. The characters lacked depth, and unfortunately the same can be said for the storyline. While the plot itself had a fresh idea, the execution simply didn’t deliver. Perhaps it was a good decision for Netflix to release all the episodes at once—otherwise viewers might have dragged their disappointment and criticism out week after week. But in one words the drama was easy to follow and worked nice as a romcomWas this review helpful to you?
review: Boyfriend on Demand
This series stood out to me mainly because of its modern premise.The idea of a virtual dating subscription service that promises perfect matches feels both futuristic
and surprisingly believable in a world already filled with dating apps and digital
relationships. The show plays with that concept in an interesting way, exploring how
technology can become both an escape and a mirror for real-life emotions.
One of the strongest aspects of the series is the main character, Seo Mi-rae. As a
burned-out webtoon producer, she feels relatable from the start. Her exhaustion,
workplace stress, and desire for something exciting in her life make her motivations
understandable. Watching her navigate between her demanding career and the
appeal of virtual romance creates an engaging emotional tension throughout the
series.
I particularly enjoyed how the show blends fantasy-like dating scenarios with
grounded real-life problems. Each new virtual interaction offers a different tone or
atmosphere, which keeps the series from feeling repetitive. The contrast between
glamorous digital experiences and awkward real-life encounters adds both humor
and emotional depth.
Another highlight is the gradual overlap between Mi-rae’s digital experiences and her
real-world relationships. The show explores themes of loneliness, expectations, and
vulnerability without becoming overly melodramatic. It raises subtle questions about
whether curated, idealized connections can truly replace imperfect human
relationships.
However, the pacing can feel uneven at times. Some character dynamics and
emotional developments seem to shift quickly, making certain moments feel slightly
rushed. In a few episodes, the workplace storyline also competes for attention with
the romance elements, which can make the narrative feel a bit scattered.
Despite those minor issues, the series remains entertaining thanks to its charming
concept, relatable protagonist, and thoughtful look at modern dating culture. It
balances light romantic moments with introspective themes about connection and
self-worth.
Overall, this is a refreshing romantic drama with a tech-driven twist. If you enjoy
character-focused stories about love, personal growth, and the complexities of
modern relationships, this series is definitely worth watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
Reality? Overrated. Bring on the Boyfriends!
What do you do when reality feels like a snooze-fest? If you’re Seo Mi Rae, you dive headfirst into Boyfriend on Demand, a virtual dating product with hundreds of boyfriends to choose from. And let me tell you, watching Mi Rae escape reality is like escaping from the same old rom-com formula we’ve all seen a million times. It’s fresh, it’s chaotic, and it’s ridiculously fun.From saving a hotel heir to running into a Joseon assassin, Mi Rae’s virtual adventures are a wild mix of rom-com chaos and action-packed drama. The real magic, though, is watching her hilariously roast every cheesy line and over-the-top trope along the way—it’s like she’s in on the joke, and we’re all laughing with her.
And let’s talk about Mi Rae’s flirting. In the virtual world, she throws caution to the wind and embraces her inner rom-com diva. Whether it’s a dramatic hair flip or accidentally dropping her pen to get noticed, her antics are so over-the-top they’re impossible not to love. It’s pure, silly escapism at its best.
And let’s not forget Yun Song (the Webtoon writer) and her BFF Lee Ji Yeon, who also dive into the virtual dating world. Their shared-but-different experiences are comedy gold. I mean, who wouldn’t laugh at Lee Ji Yeon asking for the hotel instead of the necklace? Priorities, people.
But then, Mi Rae decides to return to reality, and while it’s necessary to connect her with the male lead, the spark fizzles. The vibrant chaos of the virtual world is replaced with a reality that feels, well, a little too real—and not nearly as fun.
Ji Soo as Seo Mi Rae brings the character to life with a bubbly personality that fits the role, making Mi Rae’s escapades feel believable and fun, even if it’s not the kind of performance that screams award-winning. Seo In Guk portrays Park Gyeong Nam competently, but let’s be real—the character isn’t exactly thrilling. It’s clear they were going for a contrast between reality and imagination, but the execution just didn’t hit the mark.
Now, let’s talk about the cameos. The lineup of actors playing the virtual boyfriends is chef’s kiss. Some of their stories and settings are so intriguing, I found myself wishing they had more screen time. And no complaints about Seo Kang Jun as our university senior Seo Eun Ho—he’s not just convincing, he’s oh-so-dreamy in this role. Honestly, for a moment, I almost wished he was the main lead.
In the end, this drama is a mixed bag. The virtual dating chaos is a blast, but the return to reality, while necessary, feels a bit underwhelming. Still, if you’re looking for something fun, witty, and a little out of the box, this drama is worth a watch—just don’t expect the same magic once Mi Rae logs out.
Was this review helpful to you?
Way More Entertaining Than It Sounds
First of all, if anyone is like me and the synopsis isn’t really pulling them in, just ignore it like I did. The synopsis was giving strong reverse harem vibes and that’s a genre I’m personally not interested in at all. Thankfully, the drama itself doesn’t actually lean into that vibeAbout the story, it's probably not something people will remember for years but it’s very entertaining. It does its job well, which is simply keeping you hooked. There were no filler episodes and no dull moments in between. The screenplay stayed consistently engaging.
The comedy was genuinely there, not just some lame, forced, outdated jokes trying too hard to make viewers laugh. It felt very timely and well placed. After a long time, I found myself genuinely anticipating when the couple would finally get together or when the romance would properly kick in. They handled the romantic progression quite nicely too.
It had an enemies-to-lovers vibe but not the overly dramatic grudges that fictional stories often fabricate. And thankfully it wasn’t one of those silly Kdrama grudges like “he stole my eraser in kindergarten.” It felt much more grounded, like how sometimes you simply don’t like or don’t click with a classmate or coworker. I’m sure most people have experienced that at some point. I appreciated how the reason behind their initial hostility felt natural rather than contrived.
Jisoo did exactly what was required for the type of drama this was. Honestly, she seems like another victim of people being overly critical of conventionally pretty actors. For the role she was given, she delivered it quite well and she felt especially natural in the comedic moments.
I was also a bit surprised by Seo In Guk in this drama because in the beginning there were barely any scenes of him the way you’d expect from a lead. But that absence gets compensated in the second half. His chemistry with Jisoo was also more entertaining than I initially anticipated
Overall, it’s just a very enjoyable watch. Definitely an entertaining ride that keeps you invested and gives you a couple you’ll find yourself rooting for
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Disappointing rom-com
Rom-coms notoriously make or break on lead actors performance while story is second thought.FL was just ok, i have seen her before and while i think she has gotten better, she isn't able to have the presence necessary to lead FL focused rom-com. Her acting falls short and i don't find it good enough for the concept.
ML is a huge disappointment. He feels less developed than the imaginary boyfriends FL meets and he is extremely bland, i've seen this actor before and i certainly expected better from him.
Story was slight disappointment too, i felt like imaginary boyfriend game was used too much that it took away from MLs character and it was bit too much. Though premise kinda told it so i won't hold it against it too much.
Overall:
It was mid rom-com and it was ok one time watch. I expected better from everyone. I wouldn't recommend it as there is plenty of better choices.
Was this review helpful to you?
1This review may contain spoilers
Great idea, terrible execution
I waited for this kdrama for a good while, and was really expecting a good story but it did not deliver.It's almost the same as the anime "Rent a Girlfriend", but better. Has similar aspects such as going on dates with a pretty person.
I didn't have any feels for the main character Seo Mi-rae. Jisoo is beautiful, her visuals are good, but her acting skills in this show are like watching cardboard try to cry. I didn't have one spark of feels for the character. Every time the character is supposed to be heartbroken, in love, and so on, she just has the same look. It's hard to have feels for the character when the actress looks like she's just thinking about nothing inside her head.
The chemistry between the two main leads were non-existent. Seo In-guk was doing all the heavy lifting, but you can't have fire without two matches. Their romance was so forced.
At first I thought the idea of an AI Boyfriend IRL was interesting. But the whole thing with the AI Boyfriend started getting old after episode 3. We get it, he's perfect, he's fake let's move on please?? The drama spent way too much time on virtual dates instead of actually making the real life characters likable.
And don't get me wrong, all the comedy aspects in this drama was great, and actually funny. But it really just got boring after a while and I wanted it this drama to just end.
LIKES:
- The Cameos: Honestly, the only reason to watch. Lee Soo-hyuk and Lee Jae-wook actually looked like they wanted to be there.
- The Music: The OST's are great. The songs managed to deliver more than the script itself.
- The Aesthetics: It looked expensive, it looked nice. Shame they spent all that money on lights and none on a better script (guess one of the reasons why they didn't put the screenwriter).
DISLIKES:
- Jisoo's Acting: I'm sorry, but she just was just mediocre. She's too stiff. No range, just vibes. She's better of than just being an idol instead of trying to force into being an actress. But she still did manage to pull of some scenes though. Tbh, she should've just left it at Newtopia and focused on singing and dancing.
- Zero Logic: Why is she a "genius" producer if she can't solve a single basic problem without her VR boyfriend? She was written to be “strong” but came off as totally helpless.
- The Ending: After all that waiting, the payoff was so weak. It felt like as if I was robbed of my time.
OVERALL:
Boyfriend on Demand is what happens when you have a huge budget, big stars, but no soul. The drama is really not wow worthy but just, fine. It's pretty to look at, but it's garbage on inside. If you want to see Jisoo look pretty, watch her music videos. If you want to watch a good drama, skip this.
Was this review helpful to you?
I would honestly recommend everyone to give Boyfriend on Demand a chance without any prejudice, especially because there is an idol actress in it. Sometimes people decide beforehand that idol actors can’t act well, but this drama proves otherwise. Jisoo’s acting was honestly the best part of the show for me. She felt natural, charming and very easy to connect with. Her expressions, comedic timing and the way she carried emotional moments were all really good. Romcom suits her a lot, and after watching this I genuinely hope she does more projects in this genre.
The cameos were also a fun. Among them, Lee Soohyuk’s appearance was definitely my favorite. He looked so dreamy, almost unreal, which made him perfect for the whole “virtual boyfriend” concept. Honestly he fit the vibe of that role perfectly.
As for the story itself, I liked the main idea behind it. The drama tries to show how people sometimes get lost in unrealistic romance fantasies and forget the value of real relationships. It contrasts the perfect, dreamy virtual romance with something more genuine.
But I ended up feeling that the main male lead Kyungnam was also a bit unrealistic in his own way. He is such a green flag..... kind, warm, patient, supportive almost too perfect. Partners like that feel a bit rare in real life. So while the drama tries to remind us that real relationships matter more than fantasy ones, Kyungnam himself still feels like a bit of a fantasy boyfriend.
Still, overall it was a really enjoyable watch. Light, entertaining, relatable, refreshing, definitely re watchable
Was this review helpful to you?
Boyfriend on Demand: When Virtual Romance Meets Reality
This is my humble review of the drama Boyfriend on Demand. In short, I liked it. But I will elaborate a bit.The drama introduces a problem in our modern society. People spend so much time working that only a few hours are left for their own enjoyment. Many people like dating, getting into relationships and falling in love but because their time is precious, they become more and more afraid of commitment. What if they waste their time on the wrong person? What if they never find their soulmate?
Because of this, there has been a rise in romance simulation games. In those games, you can date multiple people without being afraid that something will go wrong or that you will get hurt. The drama handled this aspect very beautifully. It didn’t judge people for playing these kinds of “superficial” games but instead explored the reasons behind them.
It also showed how easily people can fall in love with fictional characters—from games, dramas, idols, or anime—but also how important it is to stay connected with reality.
The only thing I didn’t really like was how little screen time the male lead had in the first half and how jumpy the female lead became whenever she was embarrassed. Sometimes that made me cringe a bit. I can’t guarantee that this drama is a masterpiece, but it is a good binge-watch. It’s enjoyable, light, and might even make you think about the messages it tries to convey to the audience.
Was this review helpful to you?
Trust Me: Keep Watching! 100% chemistry
Boyfriend on Demand really surprised me. I started it with high expectations, but the first three episodes honestly made me feel like I had misplaced my hopes. I didn’t enjoy them much, they felt a bit tiring, and at one point I thought about dropping the drama.But then came the switch. Starting from episode 4, it kept getting better and better, and the final episodes completely won me over. I loved the cast. The drama includes many well-known actors that I already appreciate, and the two leads are actors I like individually, but together they completely stole my heart. Their chemistry was amazing, and I adored all their sweet scenes full of little kisses and cuddles.
What impressed me the most is how something that initially felt like a poorly executed plot turned into such an enjoyable and even fun rom-com by the end.
My advice: don’t get discouraged by the mixed opinions or the very first episodes, keep watching. You might end up loving it and discovering a really great rom-com.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Great Idea That Slowly Loses Its Courage
To be honest, I started watching this drama mainly because of Seo In-guk. I’ve always liked his work, so he was the biggest reason I decided to give the series a chance. At first, the concept itself also caught my attention. A romance built around AI-generated boyfriends sounded unusual and surprisingly modern for a K-drama.What if you could date someone who never disappoints you? Someone who always says the right thing, remembers every important moment, understands your emotions perfectly, and never argues with you? Boyfriend on Demand builds its entire premise around this tempting idea. At first glance, it feels like a concept that could bring something genuinely fresh to K-drama romance.
The story follows Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer whose life is an exhausting cycle of deadlines, caffeine, and emotional burnout. She barely has time for herself, let alone a relationship. So when she is offered access to a platform that creates AI-generated boyfriends designed specifically for her personality, she accepts almost immediately. And honestly, who wouldn’t?
The early episodes are easily the strongest part of the drama. Mi-rae’s encounters with different AI boyfriends unfold in playful fantasy scenarios that experiment with various romantic archetypes. These moments are creative, sometimes ridiculous in a fun way, and genuinely entertaining. For a while, the show captures the fantasy perfectly: romance without misunderstandings, emotional baggage, or awkward silence.
Unfortunately, this promising idea doesn’t develop as much as it should. Around the midpoint, the story starts losing momentum. Mi-rae continues cycling through different virtual boyfriend scenarios, but the narrative doesn’t really evolve beyond that pattern. Personally, this is where the drama began to feel repetitive.
Instead of exploring the deeper psychological or ethical questions behind digital romance, the show slowly moves away from its own concept. Gradually, the virtual dating premise fades into the background. What replaces it is something far more familiar: a workplace romantic comedy between two coworkers who constantly argue but are clearly destined to fall in love. There’s nothing wrong with this trope, but it does make the original premise feel underused.
The performances, however, are solid. Jisoo brings warmth and relatability to Seo Mi-rae. Even when the writing pushes the character into moments that feel slightly immature or unprofessional, she still manages to keep the character sympathetic. Meanwhile, Seo In-guk delivers a calm and confident performance as Park Gyeong-nam. His screen presence adds stability to the story, even if the script doesn’t fully develop the emotional depth of the relationship.
And that’s really the main issue here. The actors are not the problem; the writing is. Although the leads have occasional sparks of chemistry, the drama rarely explores their relationship deeply enough to make it truly memorable. Several emotional moments feel rushed, and the story seems hesitant to fully commit to the themes it introduces.
In the end, Boyfriend on Demand isn’t a bad drama. It’s watchable, sometimes charming, and occasionally quite fun. But it also feels like a missed opportunity. The concept had the potential to explore modern loneliness, the comfort of curated intimacy, and how technology might reshape romantic relationships. Instead, the series eventually settles into the safe territory of a conventional romantic comedy.
Watching it feels a bit like ordering an experimental dish at a restaurant, only to realize halfway through that it tastes very similar to something you’ve eaten many times before, just presented with a slightly futuristic twist.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Star- power is not enough for a drama
Boyfriend on demand is so anticipated drama but it became disappointed drama like Can this love be translated,no tail no tell, Twelve etc .I watched this drama only 5 episode then I dropped this drama but beginners can watch this drama . Acting or chemistry not the problem but storyline with presentation is the main problem.Writer should done a better job but they ruin the story .Seo Kang jun character Seo Eun ho is good but director didn't give him a good ending I mean atleast a kiss scene .Same goes to Seo mi rea ex boyfriend I mean why did the director give him a romantic scene with Seo mi rea .Then came to main lead Seo in guk where is he ep 1 to 4 ?JISOO & Seo in guk screentime is so low then after 5 episode SEO in guk came & just do romance with JISOO very nice 👍.Others cameo just for maintenance the Hit.Boyfriend On drama drama is not Soo interesting but those who love this time rom-com they will love it .[Note : People are saying that JISOO acting is soo poor but I don't think that's true.Jisoo acting & Chemistry is good ]
Was this review helpful to you?
!! A drama to break free from stress !!
Before I watched, I was worried that what if it becomes flat with just famous actors’ cameo because I didn't like the drama like 7 first kisses. But luckily it was not. I like the way Female Lead always turned back to reality and the plot which makes her turn to it.I really like how they portrayed a love story between the leads. Some scenes are just simple but romantic. I especially enjoyed the confession scene. Even thought the story is somehow fantasize about AI, I really like they did not take it too far. Because some drama took it too far and include so much plots which they end up badly.
I have seen many comments about Female Lead’s acting. But the actress did an amazing job and I feel this character is exactly for her. But there are also some weakness but I can pass. I enjoied the Male Lead's character here. The Male Lead did a great job to portray his character.
I would say this is a good drama to watch in 2026 compared to other dramas we got so far in similar genere. It might have weakness but those are just minors.
Was this review helpful to you?
