Drama • Korean • 2026
Boyfriend on Demand
A modern rom-com about virtual dating and very real feelings.
A fresh and gentle Netflix rom-com that uses its virtual-dating premise to ask thoughtful questions about loneliness and real connection.
Quick verdict
A fresh and gentle Netflix rom-com that uses its virtual-dating premise to ask thoughtful questions about loneliness and real connection.
- Where to watch
- Netflix
- Cast
- Jisoo, Seo In-guk and Seo Kang-jun
- Recommendation
- Watch this if you want a modern Korean romance with a high-concept hook, attractive visuals and a warm emotional centre.
The review
Boyfriend on Demand takes a very current idea—subscription-based virtual romance—and turns it into a surprisingly tender Korean romantic comedy. Seo Mi-rae is exhausted by the pressure of work and has little interest in real-life dating. When she discovers a virtual dating service, it offers an appealing escape: carefully designed relationships with none of the awkwardness, compromise or vulnerability that comes with an actual person.
The premise could easily have stayed superficial, but the best parts of the Netflix series are about why Mi-rae needs that escape in the first place. The fantasy dates are playful and visually inventive, yet the show keeps returning to the question underneath them: can a perfectly tailored experience teach someone how to be open to an imperfect real relationship? That gives the rom-com a little more emotional weight than its glossy marketing suggests.
Jisoo gives Mi-rae a gentle, approachable vulnerability, and Seo In-guk brings an appealing contrast as the real-world connection who cannot be controlled by an app. Their dynamic develops with enough humour and hesitation to feel earned. The show also has fun with the contrast between simulated chemistry and the small, sometimes inconvenient gestures that make a real relationship meaningful. The result is easy viewing that still has something to say about modern loneliness.
There are moments when Boyfriend on Demand leans too heavily on familiar rom-com beats, and viewers who dislike virtual-reality concepts may not connect with the fantasy sequences. Still, the emotional line remains clear. This is a 4 out of 5 Korean drama recommendation for anyone wanting a light, attractive binge that is not completely empty. It is especially good for viewers who enjoy Jisoo, Seo In-guk and romances where the protagonist has to rediscover what she actually wants. Yes, Raaga would rewatch it.