Boyfriend on Demand

Sadly Disappointing

I was really looking forward to seeing Seo In Guk in this drama, but I was so disappointed. The entire script felt quite lacking. The premise of the story had great potential but fell short for me. Other than the AI environment of the storyline which I'd rate a 10, this kdrama was painfully uneventful. It seemed as if the writers focused mainly on creating the AI feature with all its realism and features, and then ran out of steam. I couldn't help but notice that the color pink was featured prominently throughout wardrobe choices and set designs, perhaps as a nod to the main actress. While it's my favorite color, I wish that same effort could have gone into improving the script.

I did not feel any chemistry between the main leads, either. Even Seo In Guk's great looks were downplayed with nerdy glasses and frumpy hair, not to mention the lackluster nature of his character. I stuck with it to the end but, by episode 8, I was really struggling. For a Netflix production with a sizable budget and a lot of hype, I felt it overpromised and underdelivered. With that said, there is one great positive to this kdrama: the parade of hot actors who make guest appearances! If anything, stick around for that. Oh, and the hottie on the motorcycle 😁

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A Tale of Two Worlds — One Worked, One Didn't

VR World:
Out of all the cameos, Seo Kangjun's arc (ep 3-5) was the only one that actually worked for me — and personally, the only episodes I genuinely enjoyed in the entire 10 episode run. It had a storyline, buildup, and a convincing ending — his episodes made you feel the magic of the VR world and then its brutal reality, showing exactly why this world is both addictive and dangerous.
The rest of the cameos barely left an impression. They appeared and disappeared without adding much to the story. All of them were handsome in their own way — Lee Suhyuk deserves a special mention — but Seo Kangjun had that screen presence that naturally pulls all the focus. His episodes were the most visually stunning, with the dates and OST perfectly matching the mood. Honestly, once his arc ended, the rest felt dull in comparison.
Real World:
The real world storyline was forgettable and didn't add much to the overall narrative. The main couple didn't work for me either — no chemistry, no buildup, no tension, and the confession came completely out of nowhere. Nothing about their dynamic felt earned.

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Suddenly having an AI boyfriend doesn't seem so crazy

This is my first drama of jisoo's. I didn't watch snowdrop nor that other one she did. So I came in with no expectations nor bias. Her acting was good. Honestly some crying scenes were a bit tough on her but she protrayed her character's charm and immaturity quite well.
A lot of the characters were funny and relatable. If a IRL boyfriend on demand vr comes out. I would be first in line. I volunteer as tribute!!!

My main issue with the drama was her character Seo Mi Rae. She was a coward and at times annoyed me with her refusal to face her feelings and evolve. But when she eventually did, the payoff was so good. Seo In guk was amazing as usual. The chemistry was great especially towards the end and i like as they didn't waste time on the conflict that arose with goo yeong il

My second issue was the choi siwon jumpscare. I dont want to see his MAGA thick skinned face in my shows again

All in all an easy drama to digest, has a lot of gorgeous men and fun times

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Love on Free Trial

Boyfriend on Demand follows Seo Mi Rae, an overworked webtoon producer whose idea of a perfect evening is staying home with a show rather than navigating the chaos of dating. With her schedule leaving little room for romance, her love life is practically nonexistent. By chance, she receives access to a subscription based virtual dating simulation called Monthly Boyfriend, a device that allows users to step into a carefully designed virtual world filled with ideal romantic partners. In this world, Mi Rae meets unrealistically perfect boyfriends who awaken feelings she thought she had long buried. Meanwhile in real life, she must deal with Park Gyeong Nam, a capable yet aloof colleague and rival producer who somehow manages to make her uncomfortable every time they cross paths. Known in the office for his competence and cold demeanor, Gyeong Nam appears indifferent on the surface, but he carries surprising secrets that slowly stir emotions in Mi Rae’s carefully structured life.

It is almost a given at this point that Korean dramas tend to lead the pack when it comes to production quality, and Boyfriend on Demand definitely carries that reputation with confidence. The visuals are crisp, high definition, and polished to a level that screams premium streaming production. The CGI is well executed and the technical quality is undeniably impressive. That said, the overall visual style often feels less like a drama and more like a glossy commercial or a music video. Everything looks too clean, too polished, almost like it is trying to sell you the fantasy rather than simply tell the story. Ironically, if a real life role play dating app existed, this drama would be the perfect commercial for it. While the virtual world being overly stylized makes sense since it is AI generated, the real world scenes also carry that same shiny aesthetic. Mi Rae’s apartment, office, and daily environment feel so tidy and structured that they lose a bit of the realism that the premise initially promises.

Speaking of premise, the concept itself is actually very interesting and quite relatable. A single woman living a routine nine to five life, preferring quiet evenings at home rather than social outings, suddenly getting the opportunity to experience romance through a virtual dating simulation. That setup alone probably resonates with many viewers, especially women in their mid to late twenties who might identify as introverts or functional introverts with a touch of hopeless romantic energy. The first episode in particular, where Seo Mi Rae narrates her daily routine, hit surprisingly close to home. Watching her go through the motions of work, home, and solitary comfort made me feel oddly seen. Unfortunately, while the idea feels grounded and human, the execution sometimes struggles to maintain that authenticity. The real world scenes occasionally feel rushed, with abrupt transitions that jump from one setting to another without much breathing room. A few simple establishing shots such as the exterior of her office, a restaurant, or a wedding venue could have helped the flow feel smoother and less like a montage.

Seo Mi Rae herself is a character many people may find relatable. She enjoys her alone time, does not place huge importance on having a boyfriend, and often escapes into daydreams. I admit that part of me recognized a little too much of myself in her habits. As someone who would also rather spend evenings at home watching shows than going out, her lifestyle felt very familiar. Portraying Mi Rae is Jisoo, who previously made her leading role debut in Snowdrop. Initially, her performance feels a bit understated. Mi Rae sometimes comes across as slightly bland compared to other characters around her. For example, her friend Lee Ji Yeon manages to stand out with a brighter presence, and even Park Gyeong Nam leaves a stronger impression despite being stoic and reserved. Seo In Guk, who plays Gyeong Nam, does an excellent job embodying the aloof, competent producer. With minimal dialogue and restrained expressions, he still manages to convey depth and curiosity.

Interestingly, as the story moves into episodes two and three, Jisoo grows more comfortable in the role. Her performance becomes more expressive and natural, and Mi Rae begins to feel like a genuinely human character rather than just a concept. Her styling also helps. The minimal makeup and natural look make her feel believable as a tired producer juggling work and life. One emotional scene where Mi Rae cries particularly stands out and shows that Jisoo can deliver the emotional beats when the script gives her space. That said, Mi Rae’s behavior inside the virtual dating program can occasionally lean into the cringey side. Still, it is a harmless kind of cringe that fits the slightly absurd charm of the show.

The virtual dating scenarios themselves become oddly entertaining. Sometimes they are sweet, sometimes awkward, and sometimes so cheesy that you cannot help but laugh. Yet there is something undeniably cute about them. The drama even sneaks in small romantic gestures and dating ideas that feel like perfect inspiration for anyone who enjoys daydreaming about romance. For someone who writes or enjoys imagining stories, these moments can be surprisingly fun.

One aspect I found particularly interesting is how the drama explores the subscription model behind the Monthly Boyfriend program. Seo Mi Rae initially receives a one month free trial that conveniently delivers two dating experiences tailored perfectly to her interests. The program requires access to her phone data, which explains how it knows what kind of scenarios she might enjoy. Predictably, the emotional satisfaction from these experiences leads her to subscribe once the trial ends. The plans are structured in a way that feels very familiar if you have ever used modern digital services. A basic plan gives her perks such as owning a house in the virtual world and keeping items purchased during dates, but revisiting past experiences requires the premium tier. It is textbook marketing strategy. The program hooks users emotionally first, then gradually places the most desirable features behind higher subscription levels. Kang Ho I, the program’s dating manager played by Yoo In Na, appears throughout the story to explain these mechanics, and her presence feels like a cheerful customer service guide walking viewers through the system.

The show also cleverly mirrors real world user behavior. During the free trial, Mi Rae’s experiences feel highly curated. Once she subscribes, the program becomes less tailored and she begins skipping several scenarios that do not quite match her taste. Anyone who has used a subscription service might recognize that pattern immediately. Free trials often feel perfectly customized, while the paid experience sometimes loses that magic. Then the show pulls a classic emotional marketing move. Right when Mi Rae’s subscription is about to end, she unexpectedly reunites with Seo Eun Ho, the virtual boyfriend from her free trial who affected her the most. Even Mi Rae acknowledges that it is clearly a tactic to get her to resubscribe, yet she falls for it anyway. Honestly, same girl. Same.

Mi Rae’s personal life outside the virtual world also hits some emotional notes. Watching her sit with her two close friends during what essentially becomes a double date highlights a quiet but familiar loneliness. It is not the loneliness of lacking a partner, but the feeling of being left behind while everyone else seems to be moving forward with someone by their side. That moment felt a little too real.

Meanwhile, the real world romance between Mi Rae and Park Gyeong Nam begins to develop in the most unexpected ways. One of the most memorable scenes comes when Gyeong Nam casually confesses his feelings at work with a simple “I like you.” No dramatic buildup, no grand gesture. Just a straightforward statement followed by him asking for a clear response. It is random, blunt, and oddly realistic. The dynamic between them becomes even more entertaining once Mi Rae admits she does not actually have a boyfriend. Gyeong Nam immediately decides he will pursue her openly, and suddenly this quiet, nonchalant man turns out to be surprisingly smooth. His confident remarks and subtle smirks deliver far more heart fluttering moments than some of the scripted scenarios in the virtual dating program. Ironically, the real man becomes more romantic than the AI designed boyfriends.

Another fun detail appears when Mi Rae unlocks the custom boyfriend feature in the program. Users can design a personalized partner based on their preferences, and the system generates a character called Gu Yeong Il by default. Both Park Gyeong Nam and Mi Rae’s customized boyfriend are played by Seo In Guk, but the show cleverly differentiates them with small visual details. For example, Gyeong Nam has a mole under his eye while Gu Yeong Il does not. It is a tiny touch, yet it shows the production’s attention to detail.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Park Gyeong Nam actually fell first. What started as small coincidences gradually turned into curiosity and eventually affection. Watching that realization unfold is surprisingly satisfying. There are also moments of pure secondhand embarrassment. One scene where Mi Rae awkwardly walks toward Gyeong Nam only to slam into a transparent glass panel left me clutching my metaphorical pearls. The bruise on her forehead afterward only made the moment even more painfully embarrassing.

Despite the fun moments, the drama remains a relatively light watch overall. The narrative focuses heavily on Seo Mi Rae’s emotional journey and her perspective on relationships, while most other characters function more like supporting background pieces. Even Park Gyeong Nam, despite being the male lead, sometimes feels underdeveloped. The story hints at possible depth in his past, such as his career shift from artist to producer, but never explores it as deeply as it could have. Seo In Guk’s naturally intense expressions sometimes make it seem like there is a heavier backstory waiting to be revealed, but the drama ultimately stays within the boundaries of a light romantic fantasy.

Boyfriend on Demand is not a drama that aims to dissect relationships with profound depth. Instead, it delivers a playful exploration of romance, technology, and the little fantasies people indulge in when real life feels a bit too routine. The concept has more potential than what the show ultimately explores, but the journey is still entertaining in its own quirky way.

If you are looking for a fluffy watch filled with cute moments, virtual romance chaos, and a male lead who unexpectedly becomes smoother than the AI boyfriends, this drama might be worth adding to your list. Just do not be surprised if you finish an episode thinking that maybe, just maybe, the real world could use a pause button and a one month free trial too.

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Is this the future - pretty, coy, well-behaved and insecure female leads?

How the times have changed! In "Absolute Boyfriend" (2008) the female lead tested one option of a custom-made artificial partner as alternative to real life dating - under financial duress and with a sense of shame. Now the female lead still feels shame to partner up virtually - and does so without telling even her closest friend - but has to test a lot virtual partners (900 are available) and one custom-made partner to feel strong enough to date in reality.

There are the two things in the drama's scenario that seem really problematic to me:

1. I have problems with the way the drama constructing female relationship fantasies as virtual hands-on- and power-fantasies: Would you not consider it unethical when there were 900 life-like virtual female slaves catering to every need of their male customers? I didn't like this concept at all. It's degrading to all parties involved. The female protagonists don't really like that concept either - otherwise why would they be ashamed to use an app?

2. To construct romantic relationships as one-sided dominant-subservient relationships means that the producers never meant to portrait AI-relationships to be a real alternative for their female protagonists, be there postcards and telefon messages in real life or not. No, every girl will find her male partner in real life if she wills it to be - but only if she's pretty, well-behaved and well-dressed (extremely important, it seems, considering the amount of screen time for the female lead trying on dresses). For that end the producers include the one older single female who is the Nr. 1 manga writer. She is shown as single, demanding, not well-behaved and not pretty - and ridiculed every time she has screentime. But: The manga writer is working hard, she has a lot of stress staying on top - and she's considering her AI-Partner much more her equal than the younger girls and stays loyal to him. Relationships are not about clothes and shapely legs alone, drama writers!

Though in my opinion the acting in "Boyfriend on demand" is really good and carries a rather bad story I'd rather have less perfect pictures and blingbling and more of the depth of older Korean dramas like " Dalja's spring" (달자의 봄) of 2007.

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A fun rom-com

This one was fun.

The whole virtual boyfriend thing was so ridiculous (and scary). I think they were trying to go for a swoon worthy male options but all of those scenarios were really fun to me. All of them looked a bit weird on this show though, I wonder if they edited/filtered their faces cause all those actors are usually very handsome.

I liked how slowly Mirae and Gyeongnam relationship developed. We could see that he liked her even before his virtual lookalike appeared. I would have loved to see more scenes from his pov.

They handled the aftermath of the app as well as they could. Its just such a weird situation. We get to see that Mirae healed from her insecurities by herself so it took the weirdness away.

The sets and locations were so beautiful!!! The budget was put to good use. The cameos were such a fun addition too, I wished they didn't reveal it before the show aired.

I would have rated this higher if we had some more episodes of them dating in real life and dealing with the whole app thing in a more detailed way.

The acting was just standard rom-com acting, I wish Jisoo's next project is something a bit dark.

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Cute, Short, and Unexpectedly Fun

I decided to watch this drama mainly because of the male lead, since I already like him as an actor. Even though my expectations weren’t particularly high at the beginning, the drama turned out to be a pleasant watch overall. It’s not a groundbreaking series, but it’s definitely enjoyable and I would still recommend it to people looking for something light and easy to watch.

Considering the drama only has 10 episodes, I think the writers managed to structure the story fairly well within that limitation. The episodes are about an hour long and they go by quickly. You can tell that certain storylines probably couldn’t be expanded much because of the limited number of episodes, but the pacing still works and the ending didn’t feel rushed to me. The male lead was definitely one of the highlights for me. I really liked his character and he kept the story engaging. As for the female lead, this was actually the first time I saw her acting. I had heard some criticism about her performance before starting the drama, but personally I wasn’t disappointed.

The romance itself felt a bit different from many other dramas. While the male lead already seemed to have some level of attraction toward the female lead and actively pursued her, the female lead was emotionally stuck after her previous serious relationship. She was clearly afraid of entering another relationship and going through the same pain again. Because of that, the story needed a very gentle kind of love to help her slowly overcome that fear, and I think the male lead’s personality fit that type of story very well.

However, my main issue is that this emotional aspect wasn’t explored as deeply as it could have been. Her fear is introduced, but she seems to overcome it quite quickly. The male lead does pursue her and offers reassurance and validation, but I felt like the story could have benefited from a bit more emotional conflict or drama to make that development feel deeper.

That said, the drama seems to intentionally go for a softer and lighter romance, so perhaps that was the tone they were aiming for. Still, I think with a few more episodes the relationship could have been developed in a more meaningful way.

The simulation concept was also interesting. The virtual “boyfriends” added some fun moments, and I have to admit they were all quite attractive, especially the personalized boyfriend who basically looks exactly like the male lead. That part was actually pretty amusing.

Production-wise, I don’t have many complaints. The cinematography and overall production were good. At the beginning, the 3D simulation effects looked a little strange, but considering the story revolves around a virtual dating simulation, it actually makes sense that it doesn’t look perfectly realistic.

As for the side characters, they didn’t receive much development. The female lead’s friend was a bit frustrating at times since she seemed to only think about dating. I also wish we had seen more awkward or funny moments between the main couple, and the storyline involving the female lead’s ex felt like it was simply left behind without much exploration.

Overall, this is a soft, light romance with an interesting concept and good chemistry between the leads. It may not have the deepest emotional development, but it’s still a pleasant watch for viewers who enjoy short, relaxed romance dramas without too much heavy conflict.

Rating: 7/10

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My Honest Review

I just finished watching this and honestly, I enjoyed it—but I also have mixed thoughts.

First of all, I don’t think the concept itself is particularly new. The whole idea of dating simulations, virtual reality romance, or falling for someone who isn’t technically human has already been used many times in dramas. Whether it’s AI, robots, or characters inside a game, this kind of premise isn’t exactly groundbreaking anymore. Because of that, the drama didn’t feel very unique to me at first.

What did feel a bit different, though, was the female lead’s personality. She’s more goofy and awkward rather than the typical romantic lead who’s obsessed with love. At the beginning she isn’t interested in romance at all, and while that could easily come off as a “not like other girls” trope, the drama eventually explains her backstory, which made her behavior make more sense.

Another interesting idea was how the virtual world worked. Instead of making it a strict dating game, the drama presents the characters as optional relationships you can explore. However, the show never really explains the system fully. For example, can players reach an actual “happy ending” with those characters and does the route/game en after? or can can the players keep dating the characters for as long as they want? I felt like the drama introduced a concept that had a lot of potential but didn’t explore it deeply enough.

As for the acting, I actually think Jisoo did a decent job. I’ve seen a lot of criticism saying her acting was cringe or bad, but personally I didn’t feel that way. Based on the personality of her character, her reactions felt appropriate to me. She wasn’t overacting, and she wasn’t completely flat either. Since I haven’t watched her previous drama, I can’t compare her improvement, but in this role I thought she was perfectly fine.

Seo In-guk, on the other hand, was great as expected. I’ve only seen him in Doom at Your Service before, but he’s always very charismatic on screen and did well here too.

My biggest issue with the drama was the romance development between the main characters. From the very beginning, the male lead clearly seemed to have feelings for her. The way he acted around her made it obvious that he liked her, so their ending wasn’t surprising at all. But the problem was that we barely saw any real development from her side. For most of the drama she doesn’t seem interested in him at all, and then suddenly near the end—when there are only a couple of episodes left—her feelings change.

One thing I did enjoy about their dynamic was the rivalry between them. They constantly tried to outdo each other, which added a fun competitive element to their relationship. I wouldn’t really call it enemies-to-lovers since he clearly liked her the whole time. If anything, he felt more like a classic “pining male lead,” always hovering around her and trying to get closer to her.

Overall, this drama felt very light and easy to watch. It’s not emotionally heavy, it’s not something that will leave a deep impact, and the characters aren’t extremely complex—but I don’t think it was trying to be that kind of show either. It’s more of a fun, casual binge if you want something entertaining without thinking too much.

I actually finished it in one day. There were definitely a few cringe moments and some scenes I skipped, but overall it was still enjoyable. I wouldn’t call it an amazing drama, but it’s also not nearly as bad as some people are saying.

If you’re looking for something deep, emotional, or thought-provoking, this probably isn’t the drama for you. But if you want something light, funny, and easy to binge when you’re bored, then Boyfriend on Demand is definitely worth giving a shot.

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