Boyfriend on Demand

Tedious lead female character & Alot of handsome men

This is total female escapism stuffed with handsome men & swoon worthy closeups of them. Pure fantasy fuel.
Even though it's not without it's flaws, this is a fangirl's delight that's embarrassingly addictive & smile inducing. It will have you mesmerized while at the same time appalled at how often you fins youyrself entranced.
I'm going to explain why I only gave it an 8 at the end, but let's start with:
Date # 1 : Lee Soo hyuk - he's coolly suave here & so he has to be first so you can put him out of your mind as the drama continues- because really no one else even comes close to being so heart fluttering. The scenario he's in is cringy & total trope but the truth is the other dates pale in comparison.
(with the exception of Lee Sang yi' : whose frustratingly blink of an eye comedic cameo as a firefighter-who given more screen time WOULD make for an impossible choice if up against Lee Soo hyuk) .
Suffice it to say that the camera gives you plenty of swoonful, heart stopping moments involving Lee Soo hyuk's character & he sets the bar pretty high for the other dates that follow.
Date # 2 made me cringe. School dramas are not a genre I enjoy & not only was everything pink but it was weird as the female lead was SO much older & experienced than her date. He also was more of a boyishly earnest puppy/golden retriever type boyfriend, which didn't appeal to me personally. Additionally, it was a painful episode, raking up the female lead's dating past. Oddly, it didn't make me sympathetic towards her, as both she & her ex had changed as well as both had become mean.
Now about the virtual world:
They seemed to be making a point that being in a fake virtual romance/relationship will leave you dissatisfied with real men, ( I mean isn't that the same expectation vs reality dilemma as with men & porn ? )
As the unmemorable, but good looking dates rapidly fly by in the virtual world, in the real world, Seo in guk hides his charisma in a cave somewhere off camera. He dead pans most of the drama -sleep walking around with barely any dialogue & is bafflingly bland. (Now THAT is acting !!!) Seriously, The blame is completely on how his character is written as we know he normally radiates charisma in anything he does.
Not to despair; his charisma is revived near the end of the series.
I think that it's possible that the very point that the drama is attempting to make is that women may over look a perfectly nice, attractive guy in thier search for exciting & thier definition of "perfect" & that both men & women a fearful of being hurt.

So what makes this less than perfect ?
The female lead is not very likeable. She's only nice when it benefits her. She is cold. Though they do show a reason, I was not convinced that it was actually a valid excuse for how she keeps brushing the male lead
off . Honestly, they don't give a good reason why she's worth the male lead's effort. Further more, she wants him to prove something that he has no control over & make promises that she herself can't make.
So here is where the discontent lies:
As with most other new dramas this female lead only turns nice once she is in love. She will inevitably revert back to her natural unlikeable personality once she's been in a relationship for a length of time- we actually see this occur in her previous relationship.
I found the "follow your heart" trope/theme to be a stagnant & a damaging bit of advice to the plot as a romance as it equates to: "follow your emotions & feelings" and only consider yourself.
For a story to be really good & satisfying you need to feel that there are things that are worth investing in & that "keeping" those thingss/relationships takes effort, which requires commitment & discipline- all things that might not feel good in the moment & you might not want to do, but it's those things that makes great love stories.

Endurance-
that's what this drama is lacking. How long can the couple "live in the moment" ? Once they stop having heart fluttering moments ? So they pretty much are setting themselves up to fail with no thought to the future & a lack of commitment.
That the female lead asks advice from an AI that was created from her own detailed input means that it's her advising herself- so everything is from her persecutive-which seems rather unhelpful to her. AND of course the AI guy will tell her to leave her heart with him as he is programmed to keep her attached to him, to keep her a paying customer for the program! The game is a "Honey Trap" and as addictive as opium. I was glad that there were consequences & that the resolutions didn't take long to get worked through, but I couldn't ever really warm up to the female lead .

**************spoiler***********
this is why I only gave it 8 stars.
The female lead continued to be unlikeable.
At a critical point she could have been honest about the doppelganger boyfriend, but she isn't. That she sees the virtual boyfriend a few times afterward the male lead found out about it, made me like her even less.
I was glad that they were very tasteful in only implying that the leads spent the night together, (leaving a question mark there) but was very disappointed that the end had them implying that she was pregnant- BUT there was no definition to thier relationship- not engaged, not married, just living in the moment. TTHAT's not going to work now, is it!? !

there is enough here to lose yourself in the warm fuzzies, but the rewatch value is only for skipping through the story to get your fan girl fantasy on if that's your thing.

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A technological dream turned into a light and charming romantic comedy.

This drama came to me without high expectations and left as one of those dramas that brings a constant smile to your face without needing grand tragedies or epic plot twists. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

The idea of ​​a simulation world where you can subscribe to different types of boyfriends and experience scheduled dates is simply delightful. The drama develops this concept solidly: it's not just a promotional hook, but explores the emotional implications, the possibilities, and even the limitations of such technology. And I confess that, as a viewer, I was left wanting it to exist in real life. I would definitely buy one too.

I know Jisoo isn't a trained actress, but for this type of character, her performance works wonderfully. Her character has that mix of innocence, endearing clumsiness, and comical bad luck that makes her incredibly real and relatable. Far from feeling forced, her acting brings a natural freshness that fits perfectly with the drama's lighthearted tone. And visually, needless to say: she always looks gorgeous, with outfits that are a pleasure to look at.

As an avid manhwa reader, the subplot about the publishing platform and the lives of authors was particularly appealing to me. Seeing that world reflected—with its pressures, deadlines, and stories that resonate with readers—added a layer of authenticity that I appreciated. It wasn't just a backdrop; it was seamlessly integrated into the characters' development.

I've been following Seo In Guk since "Doom at Your Service," and in this drama, he gives us a very different but equally captivating character. Here, he plays a shy, introverted, and reserved man, but with a disarming capacity for love. His evolution throughout the series—learning to open up, to let go of control, to allow himself to be loved—is very well-paced, and his chemistry with Jisoo is sweet and believable.

"It's not a profound plot, nor is it life-changing." And that's perfectly fine. This drama knows what it is and stays true to itself: a lighthearted romantic comedy with an original concept, adorable characters, and a brisk pace. It doesn't aim for philosophical reflections on technology or tearjerker dramas. Its goal is to entertain, charm, and give you a good time. And at least for me, it succeeds brilliantly.

If you're looking for a drama that will make you smile, make you sigh with its romantic moments, and present a premise so original that you'll wish it existed, this drama is the perfect choice. Jisoo shines with her natural charm, Seo In Guk once again demonstrates his versatility, and the combination of a technological world, simulated dates, and the universe of manhwa creates a delightful and addictive mix. Ideal for binge-watching when you need something lighthearted but heartfelt.

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Well-depicted effects of artificial BF (on users/society)

Love seo in guk! Interesting concept. FL acted really well too! The series triggers relevant discussions on the technological, mental, ethical, societal effects of such a dating simulation. These are interesting & chaotic times to be alive in!

--spoiler--
Didn't agree with story progression towards the end - of FL consulting artificial boyfriend on how to patch up with the real boyfriend, but I get it - they captured the essence well of the AI willing to help the user/make them happy by whatever means necessary.
They captured other facets well too - of impact of such a service on human life - like, FL's best friend gaming the system, the comic author getting immersed in it, etc.
There is of course unrealism too in the ML being persistent with the FL till she's ready to date - this is the bubble of dramas, rare in the real world.
--spoiler--

A short series that captured the essence of having an artificial BF well.

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It was alright. The ost was pissing me off though, I felt like all the music except that one Yena song felt out of place to the situation it was being placed in. It was also strange how they did not give Boyfriend on Demand that much flack in the end, I thought they would pull a "None of this is real and thats the problem" but they never really did so it was a bit strange. There was also quite a bit gen ai use in the scenes which was ironic considering they're editers for webtoon artists. Overall though it was a rather light hearted drama with some good comedic moments.

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where’s the demand for a good plot?

I would say this show is for you if you’re looking for something that isn’t so in-depth (in terms of the plot) and want to feel like you’re watching a new show each episode, for at least 5-6 episodes in.

This show hardly had an actual dent in the plot until the last 3 to 4 episodes. From episodes 1-6, it was basically her going on a date with imaginary men (basically a date with one imaginary man per episode), which didn't really add anything to the story. Like I skipped a full-on episode, and I didn't miss anything. This could’ve been crafted a whole lot better, but the way they went with it made more than half the show feel useless to the actual plot.

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Seungmins (Stray Kids) Cousin stole our hearts !

Yay, our fist non BL Drama finished!

The premise of this one instantly got our attention, and we loved the plot progression in the first half of the drama. So lets mention our "highs" first:

The Drama starts off with a likable MC, who is quite passionate at her job - we liked her simple, but realistic character. When the AI was introduced, we had to instantly link it with current real life topics - such as people talking with ChatGPT about their issues or full on AI BF/GF...

The story introduced a lot of cool elements as well as very hilarious side characters like the artist Mrs. Yun and the Boss of the publishing company.

We liked how the MC used the AI not only for personal groth, but also figuring out work problems.

BUT

The game itself and those plotlines kinda faded out towards the end. We felt like it got dropped to make space for the romance part of the drama.

The romance itself was, for us, carried by the male lead (looks like Seungmins (SKZ) cousin). He was so kind, gentle and charming (and forgiving LOL) that we couldnt help but to fall in love.

Sadly, we hoped that the relationship between them could have just blossomed out of the work rivarly they had going on. His confession in the car seemed a bit out of nowhere (eventhough the explained it we guess later). The affection was only shown in the recaps and not in those moments. We didnt really follow how he fell for her in the very BEGINNING (later on it was more obvious).

The MC later in the show got more and more boring, as she more and more depended on the AI and seemed like she couldnt make choices for herself... but maybe thats the point? Idk we felt like her character growth was kind of regressing from the first few episodes.

Still, it got a happy ending, with her deleting the AI and focusing on her IRL BF (IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MEEEE)

S: It felt like a middle school relationship sometimes

All in all we enjoyed it, with some small moments of rage :)

Honourable mentions:

- creepy alien man staring in our soul
- crazy artist
- Lee Jae Wook
- ugly af outfits (poor Jisoo)

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almost perfect

i had fun watching this!! i liked the slow burn, though i admit i needed more of mirae and kyeongnam as rivals. jisoo's acting is good! it's the type of cringe i would still watch. i smiled and giggled so much. but the last 3 eps were a bit disappointing for me :3 i didn't like how jisoo sought for yeongil's advice and ughhh i just didn't like how they dealt with the whole affair and the aftermath and it's so upsetting bc i like the earlier episodes 😭 anyway i'm living for kyeongnam and his pov. i would totally fall for him. the tension between him and mirae called me single in all language. i cried because of them, feeling happy and lonely at the same time lol i was really entertained by BOD, but i will not be rewatching.

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No unnecessary drama and twists, it’s simply cute

The whole simulation dating app idea was pretty genius and gave the story such a fresh, modern vibe. More importantly, the writers understood exactly what kind of drama they wanted to be: a light, fun 10-episode rom-com that doesn’t drag unnecessary angst for 16 episodes straight.

The drama didn’t try to force deep trauma plots or shocking twists just for emotional impact. Instead, it gave us just enough to understand Mirae, her fears and the effect her past relationship had on her without making the entire story emotionally exhausting. I’d rather watch a drama that stays simple and consistent than one that introduces heavy issues only to completely abandon them halfway through with weak explanations. This one knew its limits and played to its strengths perfectly.

The enemies-to-lovers/bickering dynamic between the leads was fun to watch.. Was their love story deeply emotional and layered? Not really. But I genuinely don’t think it needed to be. The vibe of the drama was more about chemistry, and fun rather than intense emotional depth, and it delivered exactly that.

Now let’s talk about Jisoo!! because people seriously had me expecting the worst. I kept seeing comments calling her acting cringe, awkward, etc., so I went in fully prepared to be disappointed… but she actually surprised me a lot. She felt pretty natural for most of the drama, especially during the flirting scenes in the dating simulation game. Like she genuinely sold the playful charm of Mirae really well.
I will admit that hospital crying scene in the last episode was lame. That was probably the one moment where the acting felt noticeably awkward and overdone. But aside from that? She did a solid job overall, and I honestly think people were being way harsher on her than necessary.

Now can we PLEASE talk about the star of the show! Eunho? Because that man absolutely nailed chemistry with Mirae. Chemistry soo goated that I forgot that he wasn’t the main lead.
And Park Gyeong Nam??? His journey from “annoying coworker I can’t stand” to “wait… why am I kinda rooting for him?” was honestly so entertaining. That progression was done really well, and he and Mirae had surprisingly good chemistry too.

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Really great idea and concept. Engineers take notes!!!

Tbh, they should actually make a virtual reality like "Boyfriend on Demand".

The boyfriends here are not just boyfriends; they can be personal therapists, best friends, relationship advisers, planners, a personal fan who roots for you and also a secret shoulder to lean on when you are in deep sh** or is trying to take a break from this cruel world. They are tailored to support you and guide you right path and sometimes show you the path.

You can just let go of all the pent-up frustration, and no one will judge you. No one can say or will say anything to you. I realised that even the developer can't see the chat and conversation between the consumer and her VR boyfriend, which is just perfect.
Some people treat people harshly in reality and also commit big crimes like assault and murder for their own mental health problems. This might actually be an option for them; so they will do everything there and leave actual humans alone.

But I noticed that the subscription fee is too much. Even for Basic plans. That would be a problem.
I know this is like c.ai, but I don't just want to talk to them via chat or call. I wanna see and feel too. And I bet I'm not alone for that.
They should really make something like this. It's high time.

Anyways, liked the story and also the concept. The actors executed the story really well and I really enjoyed it.

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