Five years into acting: Can BLACKPINK’s Jisoo silence critics with ‘Boyfriend on Demand?’

BLACKPINK's Jisoo / Courtesy of Netflix

It marks her fifth acting project. Jisoo of K-pop group BLACKPINK, who enjoys global popularity, is drawing attention over whether she can overcome lingering doubts about her acting and prove her capabilities as an actress through the upcoming series “Boyfriend on Demand.”

Set to premiere March 6, the Netflix original series “Boyfriend on Demand” is a romantic comedy about Mi-rae, a webtoon producer exhausted by reality, who subscribes to and experiences romance through a virtual dating simulation. Combining the relatable daily life of office workers with the novel premise of “subscription-based dating” in a virtual world, the series promises both empathy and fresh entertainment. Jisoo stars opposite actor Seo In-guk, with director Kim Jung-sik — known for “Work Later, Drink Now” and “No Gain No Love” — at the helm.

Jisoo plays Seo Mi-rae, a busy and weary webtoon producer accustomed to life without romance. After obtaining a mysterious Boyfriend on Demand device, she enters a virtual world where she experiences diverse romances with unrealistically perfect men, gradually awakening emotions she had long forgotten. Ahead of the release, Jisoo said she is “ready to deliver vicarious excitement to viewers,” raising expectations.

Given its trendy concept and inventive setup, the series places strong emphasis on how convincingly actors embody their characters. Jisoo’s bright, refreshing image — well suited to romantic comedy — has drawn positive reactions to her casting. If her established charm blends naturally with the role, the drama’s prospects for success could improve.

BLACKPINK's Jisoo / Courtesy of JTBC

However, persistent criticism of her acting remains a concern. Across previous projects, Jisoo has faced negative reviews over unstable vocal delivery, weak line projection and awkward facial expressions. Critics have repeatedly pointed to stiffness in dialogue-heavy or emotionally intense scenes. The controversy intensified with her first leading role in the JTBC drama “Snowdrop” (2021). While it marked her formal debut in acting, assessments said she fell short of carrying a title role. Debate even extended to her co-star Jung Hae-in, with some saying uneven performances weakened the central romantic chemistry.

Public response to subsequent projects remained cool. In the Coupang Play series “Newtopia” with actor Park Jung-min, reviewers said there was little noticeable improvement in emotional expression or delivery. In the film “Omniscient Reader,” where she appeared in a supporting role, criticism escalated to claims her performance disrupted narrative flow. Even in roles with limited screen time, perceived shortcomings persisted, making the acting controversy a hurdle she must overcome.

Jisoo is an actress with a powerful global fandom and strong brand influence — clear advantages at the casting stage. Yet these strengths also heighten expectations for acting ability. As attention alone has limits, she now faces the challenge of proving both persuasive screen presence and credibility as a leading performer. Whether she can shed the acting-controversy label that has followed her since 2021 through “Boyfriend on Demand” is drawing keen attention from audiences and the industry alike.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.