BLACKPINK Jisoo's 'Boyfriend on Demand' takes No. 1 spot globally amid acting debate

BLACKPINK's Jisoo during a scene from Netflix series "Boyfriend on Demand" / Courtesy of Netflix

BLACKPINK member and actress Jisoo marked her biggest acting career milestone yet with her lead role in the Netflix series, "Boyfriend on Demand," though the debate over her acting skills persists.

The romantic comedy took the No. 1 spot in the Global Top 10 Non-English TV show category on the Netflix Tudum website Wednesday, reaching the Top 10 list in 47 countries. The series also maintained the top spot for two consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT integrated drama online buzz rankings for the second week of March, according to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex .

"Boyfriend on Demand" generated massive prerelease buzz purely based on Jisoo's casting. While her status as a global K-pop star drew initial interest, critics raised concerns about her individual capacity to carry the narrative alone. Viewers previously criticized her performance in her earlier works, "Snowdrop" and "Newtopia."

Upon release, the show quickly climbed viewership rankings worldwide. Jisoo's global fandom drove initial momentum, but sustaining long viewing times requires more than star power. The show succeeded by combining an engaging plot with an interesting virtual-dating premise.

Despite the commercial triumph, evaluations of Jisoo's acting remain divided. Audiences consistently point out flaws in her vocal and emotional delivery as well as her facial expressions. Critics argue these issues persist in "Boyfriend on Demand," particularly during emotionally intense scenes. Overseas viewers share the view that she needs further development as an actress.

The show's chart success amid the acting controversy proves Jisoo's commercial viability as a leading actress, validating the production company and platform's strategy of casting based on global fandom.

While the viewership record marks a significant career milestone, the ongoing criticism places a heavy burden on her next project. To establish credibility as a leading performer rather than just a BLACKPINK member, she faces a critical test to prove her growth and deliver a convincing performance.

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.