Boyfriend on Demand

Underutilized concept

Edit: The score is 6, but for me generally 5/10 means that show is average. So it makes the show slightly above average and can be enjoyed, but I wouldn't recommend it.

I came to this show because I was interested in how it would tackle the concept of a virtual partner from a female perspective. I gave it the benefit of the doubt during the first half of the series, but in the end I was disappointed.

The story has an interesting premise. Mi Rae is a webtoon producer who becomes responsible for managing an artist after her coworker quits. While dealing with this artist, she gets a chance to try a piece of virtual reality gear that allows her to experience a fantasy-like romances. Meanwhile, she develops a rivalry with her cold and introverted coworker.

The concept itself is interesting, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. At its peak, the story explores the perspectives of three female users of the device. I was hoping it would present three distinct viewpoints and explore the consequences of becoming too immersed in virtual reality. However, in the end, the story mainly uses this idea as a plot device, replacing more cliché elements like a love triangle.

Mi Rae’s story revolves around coping with her breakup with her boyfriend. At first, she uses the virtual boyfriends as a way to solve her artist’s problem. As the story progresses, it begins to pick up somewhat, exploring her past and the unresolved feelings she still carries. Her rival coworker also starts to play a bigger role, and Mi Rae has to navigate between her real emotions and the fantasy offered by virtual reality.

On paper, the resolution of this storyline makes sense at first glance. However, because of the weak characterization of the main characters, it is not as compelling as I expected it to be. I can’t deny Ji Soo’s charm, but she isn’t the strongest actress. I believe a more experienced actress could have made Mi Rae a more compelling character, although the script is also to blame.

The male lead, Park Gyeong Nam, played by Seo In Guk, is a cold and quiet man with a somewhat peculiar personality. However, he also suffers from weak characterization. He initially seems like just a normal guy, but we don’t get much background about him. Despite that, I still enjoyed his character and the way the relationship between him and Mi Rae unfolded in latter half.

Yun Song’s story (the webtoon artist) involving VR is also underdeveloped and doesn’t get much screen time, even though her experience arguably should have been more significant, given that she is a romance author.

Meanwhile, Mi Rae’s friend treats the whole thing more like a game, which is honestly fun to watch, even if she doesn’t get much screen time either.

The show also only briefly touches on the predatory monetization model of the company producing the VR boyfriends, but treats it more like a joke than a serious concern about the mental well-being of its users. It could be argued that this was meant to be subtle, but it ultimately feels underexplored.

I would say that show gets better in latter half, when focuses more on real life more than virtual reality.

Visually, the show looks fluffy and vibrant. The production quality is definitely high, but it doesn’t quite manage to hide the weaknesses of the script.

In the end, the show feels like a missed opportunity. It introduces an intriguing idea and hints at themes that could have been explored in a much deeper and more thoughtful way, but it ultimately settles for a lighter, more conventional story. While the production values are solid and some moments are genuinely enjoyable, the weak characterization and underdeveloped themes make it difficult for the series to live up to its potential.

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Fresh and light romance

Plot — Absolutely a new and fresh storyline, if you are working person definitely can relate to it and it's been a while since K-drama industry drop which a light romcom.

Cast— A great performance from Jisoo and Seo Inguk. At the first half JISOO and Seo Kang joon chemistry was fire and on second half Jisoo and Seo Inguk chemistry felt so natural. Not only that all the supporting characters was funny tooo... Jisoo's performance in this drama is indeed good, judge it after watching the whole drama and what can I say about Seo Inguk he is just amazing.

Overall — It's a drama everyone can enjoy after a long day... their is no complexity or twist and turns it's just simple romance which might put a smile on your face.

At this point all I can say is Idol actresses are doing a phenomenal job, last year I watched 3 Kdramas- When Life Gives You Tangerines, NEWTOPIA and Bon Appétit Your Majesty, I felt that directors and story writer try to do new things and get bold when idol actresses get casted.

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Love on Free Trial

Boyfriend on Demand follows Seo Mi Rae, an overworked webtoon producer whose idea of a perfect evening is staying home with a show rather than navigating the chaos of dating. With her schedule leaving little room for romance, her love life is practically nonexistent. By chance, she receives access to a subscription based virtual dating simulation called Monthly Boyfriend, a device that allows users to step into a carefully designed virtual world filled with ideal romantic partners. In this world, Mi Rae meets unrealistically perfect boyfriends who awaken feelings she thought she had long buried. Meanwhile in real life, she must deal with Park Gyeong Nam, a capable yet aloof colleague and rival producer who somehow manages to make her uncomfortable every time they cross paths. Known in the office for his competence and cold demeanor, Gyeong Nam appears indifferent on the surface, but he carries surprising secrets that slowly stir emotions in Mi Rae’s carefully structured life.

It is almost a given at this point that Korean dramas tend to lead the pack when it comes to production quality, and Boyfriend on Demand definitely carries that reputation with confidence. The visuals are crisp, high definition, and polished to a level that screams premium streaming production. The CGI is well executed and the technical quality is undeniably impressive. That said, the overall visual style often feels less like a drama and more like a glossy commercial or a music video. Everything looks too clean, too polished, almost like it is trying to sell you the fantasy rather than simply tell the story. Ironically, if a real life role play dating app existed, this drama would be the perfect commercial for it. While the virtual world being overly stylized makes sense since it is AI generated, the real world scenes also carry that same shiny aesthetic. Mi Rae’s apartment, office, and daily environment feel so tidy and structured that they lose a bit of the realism that the premise initially promises.

Speaking of premise, the concept itself is actually very interesting and quite relatable. A single woman living a routine nine to five life, preferring quiet evenings at home rather than social outings, suddenly getting the opportunity to experience romance through a virtual dating simulation. That setup alone probably resonates with many viewers, especially women in their mid to late twenties who might identify as introverts or functional introverts with a touch of hopeless romantic energy. The first episode in particular, where Seo Mi Rae narrates her daily routine, hit surprisingly close to home. Watching her go through the motions of work, home, and solitary comfort made me feel oddly seen. Unfortunately, while the idea feels grounded and human, the execution sometimes struggles to maintain that authenticity. The real world scenes occasionally feel rushed, with abrupt transitions that jump from one setting to another without much breathing room. A few simple establishing shots such as the exterior of her office, a restaurant, or a wedding venue could have helped the flow feel smoother and less like a montage.

Seo Mi Rae herself is a character many people may find relatable. She enjoys her alone time, does not place huge importance on having a boyfriend, and often escapes into daydreams. I admit that part of me recognized a little too much of myself in her habits. As someone who would also rather spend evenings at home watching shows than going out, her lifestyle felt very familiar. Portraying Mi Rae is Jisoo, who previously made her leading role debut in Snowdrop. Initially, her performance feels a bit understated. Mi Rae sometimes comes across as slightly bland compared to other characters around her. For example, her friend Lee Ji Yeon manages to stand out with a brighter presence, and even Park Gyeong Nam leaves a stronger impression despite being stoic and reserved. Seo In Guk, who plays Gyeong Nam, does an excellent job embodying the aloof, competent producer. With minimal dialogue and restrained expressions, he still manages to convey depth and curiosity.

Interestingly, as the story moves into episodes two and three, Jisoo grows more comfortable in the role. Her performance becomes more expressive and natural, and Mi Rae begins to feel like a genuinely human character rather than just a concept. Her styling also helps. The minimal makeup and natural look make her feel believable as a tired producer juggling work and life. One emotional scene where Mi Rae cries particularly stands out and shows that Jisoo can deliver the emotional beats when the script gives her space. That said, Mi Rae’s behavior inside the virtual dating program can occasionally lean into the cringey side. Still, it is a harmless kind of cringe that fits the slightly absurd charm of the show.

The virtual dating scenarios themselves become oddly entertaining. Sometimes they are sweet, sometimes awkward, and sometimes so cheesy that you cannot help but laugh. Yet there is something undeniably cute about them. The drama even sneaks in small romantic gestures and dating ideas that feel like perfect inspiration for anyone who enjoys daydreaming about romance. For someone who writes or enjoys imagining stories, these moments can be surprisingly fun.

One aspect I found particularly interesting is how the drama explores the subscription model behind the Monthly Boyfriend program. Seo Mi Rae initially receives a one month free trial that conveniently delivers two dating experiences tailored perfectly to her interests. The program requires access to her phone data, which explains how it knows what kind of scenarios she might enjoy. Predictably, the emotional satisfaction from these experiences leads her to subscribe once the trial ends. The plans are structured in a way that feels very familiar if you have ever used modern digital services. A basic plan gives her perks such as owning a house in the virtual world and keeping items purchased during dates, but revisiting past experiences requires the premium tier. It is textbook marketing strategy. The program hooks users emotionally first, then gradually places the most desirable features behind higher subscription levels. Kang Ho I, the program’s dating manager played by Yoo In Na, appears throughout the story to explain these mechanics, and her presence feels like a cheerful customer service guide walking viewers through the system.

The show also cleverly mirrors real world user behavior. During the free trial, Mi Rae’s experiences feel highly curated. Once she subscribes, the program becomes less tailored and she begins skipping several scenarios that do not quite match her taste. Anyone who has used a subscription service might recognize that pattern immediately. Free trials often feel perfectly customized, while the paid experience sometimes loses that magic. Then the show pulls a classic emotional marketing move. Right when Mi Rae’s subscription is about to end, she unexpectedly reunites with Seo Eun Ho, the virtual boyfriend from her free trial who affected her the most. Even Mi Rae acknowledges that it is clearly a tactic to get her to resubscribe, yet she falls for it anyway. Honestly, same girl. Same.

Mi Rae’s personal life outside the virtual world also hits some emotional notes. Watching her sit with her two close friends during what essentially becomes a double date highlights a quiet but familiar loneliness. It is not the loneliness of lacking a partner, but the feeling of being left behind while everyone else seems to be moving forward with someone by their side. That moment felt a little too real.

Meanwhile, the real world romance between Mi Rae and Park Gyeong Nam begins to develop in the most unexpected ways. One of the most memorable scenes comes when Gyeong Nam casually confesses his feelings at work with a simple “I like you.” No dramatic buildup, no grand gesture. Just a straightforward statement followed by him asking for a clear response. It is random, blunt, and oddly realistic. The dynamic between them becomes even more entertaining once Mi Rae admits she does not actually have a boyfriend. Gyeong Nam immediately decides he will pursue her openly, and suddenly this quiet, nonchalant man turns out to be surprisingly smooth. His confident remarks and subtle smirks deliver far more heart fluttering moments than some of the scripted scenarios in the virtual dating program. Ironically, the real man becomes more romantic than the AI designed boyfriends.

Another fun detail appears when Mi Rae unlocks the custom boyfriend feature in the program. Users can design a personalized partner based on their preferences, and the system generates a character called Gu Yeong Il by default. Both Park Gyeong Nam and Mi Rae’s customized boyfriend are played by Seo In Guk, but the show cleverly differentiates them with small visual details. For example, Gyeong Nam has a mole under his eye while Gu Yeong Il does not. It is a tiny touch, yet it shows the production’s attention to detail.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Park Gyeong Nam actually fell first. What started as small coincidences gradually turned into curiosity and eventually affection. Watching that realization unfold is surprisingly satisfying. There are also moments of pure secondhand embarrassment. One scene where Mi Rae awkwardly walks toward Gyeong Nam only to slam into a transparent glass panel left me clutching my metaphorical pearls. The bruise on her forehead afterward only made the moment even more painfully embarrassing.

Despite the fun moments, the drama remains a relatively light watch overall. The narrative focuses heavily on Seo Mi Rae’s emotional journey and her perspective on relationships, while most other characters function more like supporting background pieces. Even Park Gyeong Nam, despite being the male lead, sometimes feels underdeveloped. The story hints at possible depth in his past, such as his career shift from artist to producer, but never explores it as deeply as it could have. Seo In Guk’s naturally intense expressions sometimes make it seem like there is a heavier backstory waiting to be revealed, but the drama ultimately stays within the boundaries of a light romantic fantasy.

Boyfriend on Demand is not a drama that aims to dissect relationships with profound depth. Instead, it delivers a playful exploration of romance, technology, and the little fantasies people indulge in when real life feels a bit too routine. The concept has more potential than what the show ultimately explores, but the journey is still entertaining in its own quirky way.

If you are looking for a fluffy watch filled with cute moments, virtual romance chaos, and a male lead who unexpectedly becomes smoother than the AI boyfriends, this drama might be worth adding to your list. Just do not be surprised if you finish an episode thinking that maybe, just maybe, the real world could use a pause button and a one month free trial too.

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Didn’t have the guts to follow through

This plot is shockingly simple and honestly quite boring. A lot of it could have been cut actually, while Seo Mi-Rae is a highly interesting character with believable hopes and dreams/fears, the writers fail to follow through on her emotional journey and leave her quite lacklustre. Jisoo did a surprisingly good job with the acting, she has been getting better and better but honestly a lot of the characters are under developed - the male lead for one, Park Kyeong-nam is just there for most of the plot. He does nothing. We get no further insight into who he is, why he likes Mi-Rae, or his relationship with his writer Hwany. The plot would advance if we replaced him with a sexy plank of wood. He has no personality, no character and is really very boring.

I would say, the story would have developed better if we had more insight into the side characters - particularly Yun Song. It was a missed chance.

This drama felt like it was trying to make a social commentary but then couldn’t commit to what it would have really needed to do - so decided to just drop it in favour of a boring relationship with no real backing.

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A Short Review

On LETTERBOXD, I gave it a 4 out 5 stars = on MYDRAMALIST, 8 out of 10
The reason why I gave it that many stars is simple, I thought overall the show was well written and I guess I believe it's important right now, as we fight against AI. I mean I'm surprised it took this long to write a show or a movie about this premise.

About Jisoo - I've watched Snowdrop and Newtopia, because I was curious, and WAS a big Blackpink fan, and wanted to support Jisoo, however I felt conflicted. I didn't know if I liked Jisoo's acting or If I was just bias. But after watching Boyfriend on Demand, the answer is official; she can clearly act. I mean sure she'll have a few that didn't hit home for me, but still impressive for someone who started acting professionally in 2021 so there's that.
I don't need to really say anything about the ML, I think we all know he can act, but I'll simply say this: He's a big Green Flag, who I thought his character was funny and sort of a slow-burn on itself. I felt like I could simply tell who this character was just by the way he stood in the background or how he looked at other people.

Generally, I thought this show was fun. It was really funny at times and knew when to take it's self serious. Though I wish they went more in depth with what AI does or the real cons of AI, but it might not be a ROM-COM if they truly dove into it all. Characters felt seen and real. And overall I thought the show was super well paced.

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A Cozy Rom-Com That Feels Like a Magical Dating Game

Positive Points

- Classic romantic comedy formula that works very well. The series feels light, sweet, and entertaining.
- Very funny. Almost every date made me laugh genuinely, which is rare for me since my sense of humor is usually quite limited.
- Soft and cozy aesthetic. The pastel color palette and overall atmosphere make the show feel warm and comforting.
- The virtual reality concept works well. At first it feels strange, but the progression—from curiosity, to addiction, to hesitation about paying for the subscription—feels very realistic. I could easily imagine myself reacting the same way.
- The “dating videogame” upgrade after paying the subscription was adorable. The world becomes much cuter and more immersive, which adds to the charm of the series.
- The series stays very focused on the virtual reality aspect. Compared to other dramas with similar elements, it feels more coherent and consistent in how it uses that concept.
- Very strong feminine energy. The wardrobe scenes reminded me of a nostalgic videogame I used to play as a child where you dressed Barbie for different situations. Sometimes Mi-rae even uses the device just to try on outfits, which made the world feel playful and girly.
- Relatable emotional theme. Mi-rae’s dream of finding the perfect man is something many girls have experienced at some point, but the drama also gently reminds us that perfection doesn’t really exist.
- Well-written male lead. He is decisive, attentive, respectful, and romantic in a balanced way. Very cute without being exaggerated.
- Good acting overall.
- Unique romantic tone. I’m usually not a fan of overly cheesy romantic dramas, but this one feels different.
- It gives me strong Yumi’s Cells vibes. Not because the stories are the same, but because both explore dating in a deeper and more emotional way.
- The atmosphere is cozy and comforting. Mi-rae’s house is also very cute and aesthetically pleasing.
- The ending exceeded my expectations. The final scenes were beautiful and satisfying.
- For me, it is the best K-drama of 2026 so far.

Negative Points

- One small plot hole. The male lead’s face appearing in Mi-rae’s virtual date didn’t make much sense. Unless he had previously sold his image to the company as a model, the explanation feels unclear.

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Relevant topic treated with lightness

A real favorite for me: Boyfriend on Demand — a series that really needs not to be taken literally.
I’ve never posted about K-dramas before, but I truly think this one is worth it.

Behind its slightly simplistic and exaggerated romantic-comedy style and its cute love story, the series actually explores a very timely topic: our relationship with artificial intelligence and the virtual world. The boundary between reality and virtual life is becoming increasingly blurred. The series also touches on addiction and emotional dependence, and on how AI flatters us and keeps us coming back by stimulating our need for dopamine and validation.It raises important questions: will we start preferring perfect but artificial relationships over real human ones — risky, imperfect, yet authentic?

I really liked the lead actor, who plays his role with subtlety. The actress leans more into comedy, sometimes a bit exaggerated, but i found some of her scenes are very accurate and delicately performed.

So a very relevant topic… treated with lightness but also real depth, and definitely worth reflecting on. I truly enjoyed watching it.

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Old time sexism on steroids aka PRINCESS FANTASY FOR LITTLE GIRLS AKA A GREAT BUSINESS SWINDLE

I was wondering - has Netflix really made something along the lines of a real kdrama... ??? Where was the catch... ? And sure enough LOL this is a smelly pile of script..

So the first part is mostly about virtual dating, where the princess girl gets a big house, lots of dresses, shoes, jewelry, and any guy she wants - and she wants pretty guys :) with nice bodies :) That's THE ONLY criteria :)
The FL actress is acting so well, she is confident enthusiastic hot girl going on dates with several virtual guys and having fun... FL is rather selfish and immature... but at least NATURAL... and ML actor is on screen just a tiny bit as her colleague in her real life.

THEN THE SECOND PART IS DATING IN REAL LIFE - and this lovely young lady goes into the 1950s mode of trash kdrama sexism - she is prudish, child-like clutz woman-child. OMG!!!! in year 2026!!!!! we see a grown, professional woman behave like a little school girl with boys.... Not even kids behave like that today... !!!!! And... she sticks with her virtual boyfriend too :)

AND THE DRAMA TAKES A NOSE DIVE AND BECOMES SUPER BORING **** C R I N G E **** Basically you get the Practical Guide to Love, FL and ML....

THIS SCRIPT IS TRASH!!!! and consequently, the acting of FL goes down the drain and for the second half of the drama, she is a mentally disabled dumbo and a very weak immature loser.. chick... A WOMAN-CHILD ... using men

INCREDIBLE!!! this is a real ... jester job... ENTIRE DRAMA IS ABOUT SHOPPING FOR PRETTY BOY TOYS AND GETTING A GREAT SERVICE
it is like ... going on dates with a bunch of escorts... who are all dying to take care of FL...

THIS IS TRULY ... A CON JOB.... and a very successful one, women are paying to see many men without a shirt on, and seducing, and kissing as# and doing whatever the woman says, and the woman can be as awful as she wants... or, to be more precise, as she IS.

WOW THIS IS CONSUMERISM TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL... SHOPPING FOR A PRETTY BOY TOY!!!! and it is all planned!!!!! bc sooo many dramas have one chick trying zillion guys, or dating 2 at a time.... wooow...

So this is like female Epstein files, allowing women to do what men have always done and women complained about. Instead of becoming better people who are equal, this drama is along the lines of becoming equal in being murky selfish people and using each other.

======

The first part is the satire of all the tropes that kdramas use to grab female audience. It is such a great ridicule, a great jester comedy!!!! The most fun and most sad part is that so many women will not realize that they are being made fun of, and they will be too busy admiring all the good looking guys... And the whole point is to show how immature women fall for those tropes.

I am sorry to male actors, their roles were so ridiculously simple and actually - demeaning - they had to act out some delulu immature chicks fantasy. Well - just like they do in real dramas :) too often.... I realized - the male roles are to be an ESCORT ....

I am glad I saw Undercover High School ML, he was so fun in that drama... This role was waaaay too simple for him in this drama.... he was like a robot escort... ... ML actor is also wasted, he is such a great actor and this role is super simple and dumb...

Then the 2nd part starts and ... gosh this is the classic old time sexist kdrama... AGAIN!!! where FL is this clutz immature weak woman-child... WHO WANTS HER AS@ KISSED AND GUYS WHO ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR HER... like robots .... And... her behavior with ML is just... CRINGE childish... she is portrayed as a total moron for personal life , sooo immature and weak... and such a consumer, eating up guys who dote on her... AND YET ANOTHER IDOL WORSHIPER OF PRETTY FACES ... gosh... such a dumb chick ...
So again, the drama makes fun of such women-children and again lures them in with a "pretty face guy"

AND ML CHARACTER PLAYS INTO THIS TROPE OF LOYAL DOTING GUY, he liked her for so long and didnt pick anyone else - although she never deserved his liking her. So that is the old sexist kdrama trope - this fully dedicated man although the woman is super flawed, stupid, childish, and very crude to him and in general... in general, just a dumb immature snowflake... .

So right now I am starting ep 6 and I SO BADLY WANT TO SEE REVIEW BY OPPA_ if that person wrote a review on this...
Bc I am suspecting there is a catch with this drama...

I like that FL actress is a great actress. IN THE FIRST PART ONLY. After ep 5 or 6, when the real guy steps in, the FL actress is clearly acting fake bc the script is trash cringe. She is having difficulty acting the immature cringe..... BC IT IS NOT A NATURAL BEHAVIOR to behave like an elementary school girl. YET THAT IS WHAT KIDRAMAS EXPECT. this is the classic classic kdrama sexism... !!!!! What FL did here, is EXACTLY how all those FLs behave ... Practical Guide to Love is an example of that ..... woooow....

That FL chick is totally undeserving of ML's attention, she always treated him badly, then he confessed and she avoids him and rejects him, non stop and he keeps coming back.. .... AND SHE IS AFRAID TO LOVE BC IT WILL END, SO SHE KEEPS REJECTING HIM AND DUMPING HIM.... ... omg what a loser coward ... and he keeps coming back ...... omg what a loser coward.

WOW this is the recipe for every trashy rom com.... YUCK!!!! how did a great actor like the ML end up doing this? Does Netflix pay very well... ???? I do hope he has better scripts to choose from..

THIS SCRIPT IS TRASH!!!! and consequently, the acting of FL goes down the drain and for one half of the drama, she is a mentally disabled dumbo and a very weak immature loser.. chick... A WOMAN-CHILD

WOOOOOOWWWWW THIS IS A SCAM!!!!! THIS DRAMA IS A SCAM!!!! THIS KIND OF SCTRPT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN YEAR 2026!
or ... it should be... ? bc there are so many lonely women with money who will pay to watch this smelly piece of script...

I really like that actors are not super skinny skeletons :) FL got nice legs :) ML also looks like a normal athletic guy. So at least the drama has a healthy look. I really like that ML has naror and slanted eyes, not plastic surgery big eyes.

I dislike that such a great actor like the ML actor is put into this overly simple role. But then... I realize... all typical male roles ARE this... omg... this is like seeing the whole mechanics of dramas... This is like seeing the swindling behind the scenes...

Wow who was it who thought of selling this idea of reverse polygamy and/or decadent lewd behaviors by women - basically everything rotten that men used to do? Great busines mind. So many - most? - new kdramas are based on such women.
Our Universe, Practical Guide to Love, Climax, A Graceful Liar, etc etc etc etc etc ...

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