Boyfriend on Demand
Promotional poster
Hangul
월간남친
Hanja
月刊男親
Lit. Monthly Boyfriend
RR Wolgan namchin
MR Wŏlgan namch'in
Genre Romantic comedy
Written by Namgung Do-young
Directed by Kim Jung-sik [ko]
Starring
  • Jisoo
  • Seo In-guk
Music by Gaemi
Country of origin South Korea
Original language Korean
No. of episodes 10
Production
Executive producers
Production locations
  • South Korea
  • Cebu, Philippines
Cinematography
  • Park Sung-yong
  • Park Im-hwan
Editors
  • Kim Soo-hyun
  • Lee Hae-min
Running time 50–68 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
Release March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)

Boyfriend on Demand (Korean: 월간남친) is a 2026 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by Namgung Do-young and directed by Kim Jung-sik [ko]. The series stars Jisoo and Seo In-guk, it follows a burnt-out webtoon producer whose reality blurs after she subscribes to a virtual dating service. Originally developed for broadcast on MBC, the series was later acquired by Netflix as an original production. It was released on Netflix on March 6, 2026 and received mixed reviews from critics, who generally praised the visual production but criticized the script and lead performances.

Synopsis

Exhausted by the demands of her career, webtoon producer Seo Mi-rae seeks an escape from the complexities of real-world relationships through a subscription-based virtual reality application. The service allows her to inhabit a digital world where she can interact with a wide array of simulated partners programmed to be her ideal matches. However, the boundaries between her digital romance and her professional reality begin to blur as she becomes increasingly immersed in the simulation.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Jisoo as Seo Mi-rae
  • Seo In-guk as Park Kyeong-nam / Gu Yeong-il

Supporting

  • Gong Min-jeung as Yun Song
  • Kim Ah-young
  • Park Hae-rin [ko]
  • Ha Young as Lee Ji-yeon, Mi-rae's bestfriend
  • Yoo Seon-ho as Hwany
  • Han Ga-eul as Song Eun-ju
  • Jo Han-chul as Hwang Byung-hak
  • Lee Hak-joo as Min Joon-young

Special appearances

  • Seo Kang-joon as Seo Eun-ho
  • Lee Soo-hyuk as Choi Si-woo
  • Lee Hyun-wook as a prosecutor
  • Lee Jae-wook as a doctor
  • Kim Sung-cheol as Kim Se-jun, Mi-rae's ex-boyfriend
  • Lee Sang-yi as a firefighter
  • Ong Seong-wu as Bae Hyeon-woo
  • Kim Young-dae as an assassin
  • Jay Park as himself
  • Yoo In-na as the dating manager
  • Choi Si-won as J-jong
  • Nam Woo-hyun

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date
1 "The Futures of You and Me"
Transliteration: "Nawa dangsinui mirae" (Korean: 나와 당신의 미래)		 Kim Jung-sik [ko] Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
2 "Cliche or Classic"
Transliteration: "Keullisye hogeun keullaesik" (Korean: 클리셰 혹은 클래식)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
3 "First Love 101"
Transliteration: "Cheotsarangui ihae" (Korean: 첫사랑의 이해)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
4 "No Risk, High Return"
Transliteration: "No riseukeu, hai riteon" (Korean: 노 리스크, 하이 리턴)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
5 "The Caveats of Perfection"
Transliteration: "Wanbyeogiraneun byeok" (Korean: 완벽이라는 벽)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
6 "The Hybrid Man"
Transliteration: "Haibeurideuhyeong namja" (Korean: 하이브리드형 남자)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
7 "The Algorithm of Feelings"
Transliteration: "Gamjeongui algorijeum" (Korean: 감정의 알고리즘)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
8 "The Odd or Even Game"
Transliteration: "Holjjak geim" (Korean: 홀짝 게임)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
9 "Like or Love"
Transliteration: "Jokeona deo jokeona" (Korean: 좋거나 더 좋거나)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
10 "An Utterly Normal Future"
Transliteration: "Itorok pyeongbeomhan mirae" (Korean: 이토록 평범한 미래)		 Kim Jung-sik Namgung Do-young March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)

Production

Development and filming

The series was developed to be an MBC drama but was later picked up as a Netflix Original.[1] Director Kim Jung-sik [ko], who helmed Work Later, Drink Now series (2021–2023) and No Gain No Love (2024), took the megaphone.[2] The script was written by Namgung Do-young with production collaborated by WhyNot Media [ko], Baram Pictures [ko], and Kakao Entertainment.[3]

Director Kim stated that the series' primary appeal lies in its "anthology-like" romance structure, where Mi-rae, played by Jisoo, interacts with different characters across various simulated worldviews and settings. He emphasized that the production focused on showcasing Jisoo's versatility by assigning her character distinct occupations and varying "acting tones" for each virtual episode to differentiate them from her real-world persona.[4]

In February 2025, both Jisoo and Seo were seen filming in Cebu, Philippines.[5]

Casting

In August 2024, Jisoo received an offer to star as the female lead for the series.[6] The next month, Seo In-guk was cast to take the male lead role.[7] Netflix confirmed Jisoo and Seo's roles by February 2025.[2]

In 2025, Gong Min-jeung was cast and this would be her first work after giving birth.[8] Kim Ah-young, Park Hae-rin [ko], Ha Young, and Han Ga-eul were also cast to play various supporting roles.[9] The production features an ensemble of actors portraying the various "virtual boyfriends" within the titular subscription service. The lineup includes Seo Kang-joon,[10] Lee Soo-hyuk,[10] Lee Hyun-wook,[11] Lee Jae-wook,[12] Kim Sung-cheol,[13] Lee Sang-yi,[14] Ong Seong-wu,[15] Kim Young-dae, and Jay Park.[4] While Yoo In-na would be taking on a specialized role as the "dating manager" responsible for matching the protagonist with her ideal scenarios.[16]

Music

The soundtrack features a contribution from Doyoung of NCT, who recorded his track prior to his mandatory military service in December 2025. The song which described as a warm, refreshing ballad, was first previewed during the February 2026 production showcase. The collaboration drew media attention due to the performers' "Jin-Ji-Do"[A] bond, established when they served as co-hosts for the music program Inkigayo from 2017 to 2018.[17] Choi Ye-na and Fromis 9 were also confirmed to contribute to the series' soundtrack, delivering an anime-themed track and a refreshing sound, respectively.[18]

Release and promotion

Boyfriend on Demand was reportedly scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2026.[1] In January 2026, Netflix unveiled its 2026 Korean Contents lineup and the series was lineup in the first quarter release window of 2026.[3] The next month, it was confirmed for a March 6 premiere with a total of 10 episodes. Netflix released the first teaser poster and a 50-second teaser trailer, which the series' premise of a "subscription-based virtual dating service". These promotional materials depicted the contrast between the protagonist's career as a webtoon producer and the dating scenarios experienced within the simulation.[19]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source Rating
Rotten Tomatoes 60%[20]
Review scores
Source Rating
South China Morning Post StarStarHalf star[21]
iMBC StarStar[18]
India Today StarStarStar[22]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 5 critics' reviews are positive.[20] Pierce Conran of the South China Morning Post rated the series 2.5 out of 5 stars, labeling it a "too conventional" romantic comedy with a "loopy and repetitive" narrative that failed to utilize the emotional range of its leads.[21] Similarly, India Today gave a 3 out of 5 rating, noting that while the lead actors were "watchable," the production was hampered by a predictable plot and uneven execution.[22] Writing for Time, Kaity Burt argued that the show took a "safer, less rewarding path" that limited its potential to comment on the value of human connection versus digital immersion.[23]

Critics were divided on the performances of the lead cast. Kim Jong-eun of iMBC gave the series 2 out of 3 stars; he praised the direction and soundtrack but described Jisoo's performance as "stagnant," citing issues with vocal delivery and articulation in emotional scenes.[18] The Fact's Kim Saet-byeol echoed these sentiments, calling Jisoo's portrayal "underwhelming" and noting that Seo In-guk was limited by a "repetitive character archetype".[24] Choi Ha-na of TV Daily criticized the series for prioritizing aesthetics over substance, stating that the focus on close-ups could not compensate for a slow-paced script, though she noted that Seo Kang-joon's cameo in the third episode provided a temporary boost to the narrative.[25] Lee Sun-myung of Sports Kyunghyang highlighted the cold public reception to the series, noting that both domestic and international audiences on platforms such as MyDramaList and Reddit have expressed sharp criticism, particularly toward Jisoo's performance.[26]

Notes

  1. ^ Combined first syllables of Jinyoung, Jisoo, and Doyoung's names.

References

  1. ^ a b Ryu, Ye-ji (February 14, 2025). [단독] 서인국♥지수 '월간남친', MBC 아닌 넷플릭스 편성...2026년 공개 [[Exclusive] Seo In-guk♥Jisoo's Boyfriend on Demand, to be broadcast on Netflix instead of MBC...to be released in 2026]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (February 19, 2025). "Blackpink's Jisoo, Seo In-guk to Star in Netflix K-Drama Boyfriend on Demand". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Brzeski, Patrick (January 20, 2026). "Netflix Unveils Stacked Korean Content Slate of 33 Series and Films for 2026 (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Jeon, Hyo-jin (February 19, 2026). 블랙핑크 지수 남친들 한자리 (월간남친) [Blackpink Jisoo's Boyfriends in One Place (Boyfriend on Demand)]. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  5. ^ Martinez, Gavin (February 12, 2025). "Blackpink's Jisoo, Seo In-Guk in Cebu for Boyfriend on Demand filming". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Blackpink's Jisoo eyeing lead role in new drama Monthly Boyfriend". The Statesman. Kolkata: The Statesman Ltd. August 30, 2024. OCLC 1772961. Archived from the original on November 21, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  7. ^ "Seo In Guk cast as male lead opposite Blackpink's Jisoo in upcoming drama Monthly Boyfriend". The Times of India. Mumbai: The Times Group. September 10, 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. OCLC 23379369. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  8. ^ Park, Ro-sa (February 12, 2025). [단독] 공민정, 출산 후 열일...서인국·지수 '월간남친' 합류 [[Exclusive] Gong Min-jeong, busy after giving birth...Seo In-guk and Jisoo join Boyfriend on Demand]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  9. ^ Support casting:
  10. ^ a b Yoon, Hyo-jung (March 6, 2025). [단독] 서인국♥지수 '월간남친'...서강준·이수혁도 함께(종합) [[Exclusive] Seo In-guk ♥ Jisoo for Boyfriend on Demand...Seo Kang-joon and Lee Soo-hyuk join as well (Comprehensive)]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 9, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  11. ^ Park, Seo-yeon (May 13, 2025). [단독] 이현욱, '원경' 이방원→이번엔 '월간남친'이다...특별출연 활약 [[Exclusive] Lee Hyun-wook, from The Queen Who Crowns's Yi Bang-won → to Boyfriend on Demand...A special appearance performance]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  12. ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (July 7, 2025). [단독]이재욱, '월간남친' 특별출연...특급 남친 라인업 완성 [[Exclusive] Lee Jae-wook to make special appearance in Boyfriend on Demand...Completing the Premium Boyfriend lineup]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  13. ^ Park, Jin-young (August 1, 2025). [단독] 김성철, '월간남친' 지수 전남친 된다...대세 라인업 완성 [[Exclusive] Kim Sung-cheol to become Jisoo's ex-boyfriend in Boyfriend on Demand...Completing the trending lineup]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  14. ^ Park, Jin-young (August 1, 2025). [단독] 이상이, '월간남친' 특별출연...서강준→김성철과 막강 라인업 [[Exclusive] Lee Sang-yi to make special appearance in Boyfriend on Demand... A powerful lineup from Seo Kang-joon to Kim Sung-cheol]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  15. ^ Lee, Mi-ji (November 8, 2025). [단독]옹성우, '월간남친' 특별출연..김성철·서강준→이재욱과 특급 라인업 [[Exclusive] Ong Seong-wu to make special appearance in Boyfriend on Demand...A premium lineup alongside Kim Sung-cheol, Seo Kang-joon → Lee Jae-wook]. Herald Muse (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  16. ^ Ahn, Tae-hyun (February 19, 2026). 유인나, '월간남친' 특별출연...가상 연애 시뮬레이션 이끈다 [Yoo In-na to Make Special Appearance in Boyfriend on Demand...Leading the Virtual Romance Simulation]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  17. ^ Kim, Min-ji (February 26, 2026). [단독] NCT 도영, 군복무에도 의리...블핑 지수 지원사격 '월간남친' OST 부른다 [[Exclusive] NCT's Doyoung shows loyalty even in the military...to provide support fire for Blackpink's Jisoo by singing the Boyfriend on Demand OST]. Herald Muse (in Korean). Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  18. ^ a b c Kim, Jong-eun (March 6, 2026). [리뷰M] '월간남친' 구독 망설여지는 지수의 답보 연기 ★★☆ [[Review M] Jisoo's Stagnant Acting Makes Boyfriend on Demand Subscription a Tough Sell ★★☆]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  19. ^ Baek, Seung-hoon (February 5, 2026). 블랙핑크 지수, 연애는 구독으로...'월간남친' 넷플릭스 3월 6일 공개 [Blackpink Jisoo, Dating via Subscription...Boyfriend on Demand Premieres March 6 on Netflix]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Boyfriend on Demand". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  21. ^ a b Conran, Pierce (March 6, 2026). "Netflix K-drama Boyfriend on Demand review: AI dating romcom with Jisoo is too conventional". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong: SCMP Publishers. eISSN 1563-9371. ISSN 1021-6731. OCLC 648902513. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  22. ^ a b Agarwal, Bhavna (March 6, 2026). "Boyfriend On Demand review: Jisoo and Seo In-guk make this AI romance watchable". India Today. Noida: Living Media India Limited. ISSN 0254-8399. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  23. ^ Burt, Kaity (March 6, 2026). "Breaking Down the Ending of Netflix K-Drama Boyfriend on Demand". Time. New York City: Time USA, LLC. ISSN 0040-781X. OCLC 1311479. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  24. ^ Kim, Saet-byeol (March 6, 2026). [TF리뷰] '월간남친' 지수 변주 기다리다, 서강준 3회 34분에 '구독 연장' [[TF Review] Waiting for Jisoo's variation in Boyfriend on Demand, Seo Kang-joon prompts 'subscription extension' at 34 minutes of Episode 3]. The Fact (in Korean). Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  25. ^ Choi, Ha-na (March 7, 2026). '월간남친' 유치한데 멈출 수 없다, 도파민 터지는 '로코'의 맛 [OTT리뷰] [Boyfriend on Demand It's Cheesy but Unstoppable, The Dopamine-Fueled High of a Rom-Com [OTT Review]]. TV Daily (in Korean). Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  26. ^ Lee, Sun-myung (March 7, 2026). '노력'도 없고 '재능'도 없는 '월간남친' 지수의 '발연기' ['No effort' and 'no talent', the 'poor acting' of Jisoo in Boyfriend on Demand]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved March 7, 2026.