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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