From chaebol to secret agent: Virtual roster of 'Boyfriend on Demand'Since its release on March 6, Netflix’s "Boyfriend on Demand," starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, has captured both local curiosity and global buzz. Beyond its star power and glossy production, the show taps into a distinctly modern fantasy — the comfort of love without the risk of heartbreak. At the heart of the story is Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn down by deadlines, a difficult author she manages and the emotional residue of a breakup. Her ex-boyfriend is about to marry someone else. Out of loneliness, exhaustion and a flicker of curiosity, she turns to a virtual reality subscription service promising up to 900 kinds of love. With a simple headset and the push of a button, Mi-rae can meet boyfriends who fulfill every imaginable romantic ideal — from a devoted CEO to a sentimental artist — all without the messy unpredictability of real life. Fans adore its straightforward bliss. "I miss K-dramas just for fun — no murders, just love and butterflies," one Reddit user raved. Others nod to its real-world edge: "It nails the fear of relationships ending," while another mused, "PMar 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
‘My 901st boyfriend?’ BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shares Seo In-guk photo from Netflix’s ‘Boyfriend on Demand’BLACKPINK star Jisoo delighted fans with behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Netflix show “Boyfriend on Demand,” sharing a series of photos that quickly drew attention online — including a solo shot of co-star Seo In-guk, who plays her character’s “901st boyfriend.” On March 10, Jisoo uploaded several photos to her personal social media account with the short caption “The sea,” accompanied by dolphin and blue heart emojis. In one image, Jisoo appears in a flowy long white dress, completing a breezy resort look that blends perfectly with the bright blue seaside backdrop. In another shot, she poses on a wide airport runway wearing a black off-shoulder mini dress. The design, which reveals her shoulder line, adds an elegant yet sophisticated mood. The photos appear to capture moments from the production of the Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand,” a romantic story set around a virtual reality dating service. Jisoo also shared friendly snapshots with fellow cast members Kim Ah-young and Go Gyu-pil, who appear with her in the virtual reality setting of the series. Among theMar 12, 2026By Xportsnews
InterviewLee Na-young says 'Honour' is not just about sexual violenceENA’s thriller “Honour,” which wrapped Tuesday, follows a team of lawyers taking on a powerful sex trafficking cartel in a story that inevitably echoes the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Centered on three determined attorneys at the victim advocacy firm L&J — short for Listen & Join — who choose solidarity over silence while investigating scandals linked to the shadowy digital sex trade platform “Connect In,” the drama marks actor Lee Na‑young’s first work on the small screen in three years. Lee plays Yun Ra‑yeong, a celebrity lawyer with millions of followers online, but beneath her polished public image lies a woman shaped by deep personal trauma. Lee's restrained performance has drawn praise from viewers. "I first read the script with the curiosity of a novel reader, just dying to know what would happen next. Then I went back through it, thinking about the role I had to play and that's when I felt like I just had to be part of this story," Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in central Seoul, Wednesday. Taking on a role with lengthy legal dialogueMar 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Song Ji-hyo faces renewed calls to leave 'Running Man' as criticism resurfacesActress Song Ji-hyo is once again facing mounting calls from viewers to step down from the long-running variety show “Running Man,” nearly three years after a similar controversy placed her participation in the program under scrutiny. The latest debate erupted after the March 8 episode of SBS’s flagship variety show, which aired under the theme "Run & Fun Company: Spin the Roulette." In the episode, the cast transformed into office workers competing in various games to leave work early, using any strategy possible to win. However, viewers quickly pointed out that Song appeared largely disengaged throughout the broadcast. Unlike the other cast members, she rarely joined the improvised skits or conversations that drive much of the show’s humor, resulting in minimal screen time. At one point during a bus ride to lunch, the other members continued lively banter while Song mostly sat quietly, smiling but not participating in the conversation. The contrast was particularly noticeable alongside the show’s youngest member, Ji Ye-eun, who repeatedly attempted to jump into the conversatMar 11, 2026By Xportsnews
Starring Ju Ji-hoon, Ha Ji-won, 'Climax' gives voice to desires nobody talks aboutENA's new series "Climax" is a work that "scratches exactly where it itches," actor Ju Ji-hoon said Tuesday. "The script felt like giving voice to the desires that everyone carries silently but never dares to speak aloud," the actor said at a press conference in Seoul. "That was what drew me to participate in it." He portrays Bang Tae-seob, a man who, according to the actor, "has no connection, no ties and no network, and gets knocked around and worn down by the world, yet burns with a desperate ambition to rise above it all, struggling with everything he has." Tae-seob transforms himself into a prosecutor of relentless ambition and ice-cold judgment, who pursues power at any cost and makes one devastating choice after another in his climb to the top. Actress Ha Ji-won makes her small-screen return after a four-year absence since the KBS drama "Curtain Call," taking on the role of Choo Sang-ah, a once-celebrated actress and the wife of Tae-seob. Ha described her character as someone caught between "a glamorous past and an anxious, unstable present living side by side." She said she aimed tMar 10, 2026By Yonhap
Jang Keun-suk to return to TV with new drama 'Hyupban'Korean actor Jang Keun-suk is set to return to the small screen for the first time in about three years, taking the lead role in the upcoming drama "Hyupban" (working title). According to industry sources Tuesday, Jang will play the main character Ma Han-sang in the new series. The drama tells the story of a skilled cook who also happens to be a gangster. After saving a college student in danger, Ma ends up hiding out at the student’s home, where the two gradually find comfort and encouragement through sharing warm meals. The series is based on a popular novel of the same title that has already been published in book form and adapted into a drama (Otoko Meshi) in Japan. Jang has previously showcased his cooking skills on various television programs, drawing attention to how closely the character may align with his real-life talents. The drama will be directed by Lee Min-woo, known for works such as the hit series “Boys Over Flowers,” “God’s Quiz Season 4” and “Not Others.” Lee has received praise for his detailed, character-driven storytelling, raising expectations for hMar 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
‘Boyfriend on Demand’: Jisoo’s acting sparks debate, but 901 virtual boyfriends keep Netflix series trendingA 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,Mar 10, 2026By Xportsnews
'Mad Concrete Dreams' satirizes Korea's debt-laden real estate obsessionVeteran actor Ha Jung-woo returns to the small screen with tvN's dark comedy "Mad Concrete Dreams," 19 years since his last role in the 2007 drama "H.I.T." The 47-year-old stars as Ki Su-jong, a small building owner pushed to the brink by debt. After stretching his finances to the limit in an attempt to hold on to his prized property, he becomes entangled in a fake kidnapping scheme as he struggles to protect both his family and his investment. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Korea’s real estate-obsessed culture. It reflects the so-called "yeongkkeul" phenomenon — a Korean slang combining "yeonghon" (soul) and "kkeulda" (to drag), referring to buyers who "pull together their soul" to enter the property market. The phrase describes people, mostly in their 30s and 40s, who stretch their finances through high-ratio mortgages in hopes of riding continued rising housing prices. As lending rules tighten and interest rates remain elevated, many of these heavily leveraged buyers now face mounting financial pressure. Director Yim Pil-sung credited the series' strong script for brinMar 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai
IU and Byeon Woo-seok as royal couple? Kakao Entertainment bets big on 'Perfect Crown'Kakao Entertainment is betting big on romance this spring, unveiling a lineup of K-dramas designed to deliver “pink-tinted excitement” to global viewers — including one highly anticipated pairing that has already stirred online buzz: IU and Byeon Woo-seok as a newly married royal couple. The entertainment giant said it will release several romance titles in quick succession, beginning with “Still Shining” and Netflix’s “Boyfriend on Demand,” Friday, followed by the April premiere of “Perfect Crown.” All three projects involve collaborations between Kakao Entertainment’s production studios, management labels and affiliated creators, highlighting the company’s integrated content strategy. JTBC’s new Friday drama “Still Shining” explores the emotional journey of two young people who once shared a private world together and eventually become guiding lights in each other’s lives. The series stars Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju, both actors affiliated with Kakao Entertainment management labels. Park plays Yeon Tae-seo, a subway driver who quietly carries the memorMar 7, 2026By Xportsnews
Idol-turned-actors depict timeless love story in ‘Still Shining’Park Jin-young, best known as a member of the K-pop boy band GOT7, and Kim Min-ju, formerly of IZ*ONE, are set to star together in a youthful melodrama that captures the beauty of growing up and finding love. The pair will lead JTBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama “Still Shining,” which follows the intertwined lives of two characters from their teenage years into their 30s. The series portrays how they become each other’s light throughout the changing seasons of life. Director Kim Yoon-jin, known for “Our Beloved Summer,” (2021) described the drama as “a story about Tae-seo (Park) and Eun-ah (Kim), who first meet at the age of 19 in the countryside and reunite years later to confront their true feelings” during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. “The writer didn’t place the characters amid any grand events. Instead, the story captures the quiet passage of seasons and the accumulation of time, which I believe will stay with viewers in a special way. While ‘Our Beloved Summer’ evoked the warmth of spring and early summer, ‘Still Shining’ portrays love that enMar 5, 2026By Park Jin-hai
