‘Boyfriend on Demand’: Jisoo’s acting sparks debate, but 901 virtual boyfriends keep Netflix series trending
BLACKPINK's Jisoo, left, and Seo In-guk / Xportsnews
A new Netflix series starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is drawing global attention — and reigniting a familiar debate. While some viewers remain skeptical about her acting, the romantic comedy’s unusual premise and star-packed “boyfriend” lineup are helping propel the show up Netflix’s charts.
Released on March 6, the Netflix original “Boyfriend on Demand” follows Mi-rae, a webtoon producer played by Jisoo, who is exhausted by real life and turns to a virtual dating simulation service where users can “subscribe” to and experience romantic relationships.
The show marks Jisoo’s first solo lead drama, placing her squarely at the center of the story after several supporting roles since her acting debut in the 2021 JTBC drama “Snowdrop.” She has also appeared in films such as “Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy” as well as the Coupang Play series “Newtopia.”
But the new release has once again put her acting skills under scrutiny.
Since her debut, Jisoo has frequently faced criticism over pronunciation, vocal delivery and facial expressions. With “Boyfriend on Demand,” many viewers were curious to see whether she had improved.
Director Kim Jung-sik said the singer-turned-actress had worked hard for the role.
“I think Jisoo put in a lot of effort and handled the various settings and character well,” he said. “You can see the character grow in the drama, but I also think you will see Jisoo grow as an actress. Effort overcame talent.”
Jisoo said she hoped viewers would feel she had found a role that suited her.
“Because I’m playing a character around my own age, I wondered if I could portray her like a perfectly fitting outfit,” she said. “When you watch the series, I hope people feel that I finally met a character that suits me.”
A scene from "Boyfriend on Demand" / Courtesy of Netflix
Some viewers say the contemporary romantic comedy genre works in her favor. Unlike her previous projects, which included fantasy or historical settings, the story focuses on everyday emotions and situations.
Still, criticism has not disappeared entirely.
In emotionally intense scenes involving romance and heartbreak, some viewers said her voice occasionally cracks and pronunciation becomes unclear. One tearful scene in which Mi-rae worries about her lover has even been singled out by critics as among the drama’s weakest moments.
Yet compared with the overwhelmingly negative reaction that followed some of her earlier performances, the current response is more moderate. Many viewers say the acting is “not distracting,” a reaction that could offer Jisoo a path to continue building her acting career.
Part of the show’s appeal lies elsewhere.
Scenes from "Boyfriend on Demand" / Courtesy of Netflix
“Boyfriend on Demand” features a sprawling fictional universe populated by 901 virtual boyfriends, played by a lineup of high-profile actors and celebrities including Seo In-guk. Their characters range from a college senior and a wealthy heir to a National Intelligence Service agent, a doctor, a judge and even a mysterious assassin.
The show’s elaborate world-building also contributes to immersion, with careful casting and visual design helping sustain the fantasy of a virtual romance simulation.
The strategy appears to be working. Just one day after its release, “Boyfriend on Demand” ranked seventh on Netflix’s global TV show chart. Two days later, on March 8, it climbed to fifth place, according to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol. The series has entered the Top 10 in 69 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.