BLACKPINK member Jisoo’s new Netflix romantic comedy series “Boyfriend on Demand” rose to No. 1 on the streamer’s weekly global non-English TV chart, garnering 4.8 million views and topping the list in 47 countries for the week ending March 15.
Netflix said the 10-part series, released earlier this month, led viewing hours in the non-English TV category, signaling strong demand in key markets. Industry tracking sites also show that the show has made top 10 lists in dozens of countries, with No. 1 reported in South Korea and several markets in Asia and Latin America.
“Boyfriend on Demand” stars Jisoo as Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer from Seoul who has little time or energy for traditional dating, according to Allkpop. Frustrated with her personal life, Mi-rae signs up for a virtual boyfriend subscription service, unleashing a series of romantic and comedic complications that blur the lines between digital and real-world relationships.
In addition to the virtual romance, Mi-rae clashes at work with a rival producer played by Seo In-guk, whose initially prickly relationship with her gradually eases as they work together late into the night. The story follows Mi-rae’s efforts to balance career ambitions with emotional vulnerability, as she reevaluates what she wants from love and partnership.
The series’ big debut comes five years after Jisoo formally launched as an actress, a period marked by repeated scrutiny of her performances. Critics have previously cited issues such as choppy vocal delivery, weak line projection, and stiff facial expressions, particularly in dialogue-heavy or emotional scenes, the Korea Times reported.
The debate over his acting intensified with his first leading role in the 2021 JTBC drama “Snowdrop.” Commentators at the time argued that she struggled to fill a leading role and that the uneven performances, including that of co-star Jung Hae-in, weakened the central love story.
“Snowdrop” also faced separate controversy over accusations of historical distortion, drawing public criticism over scenes involving a pro-democracy movement and the use of a politically significant song. Such controversies have fueled a wider discussion over the casting of idols in historically sensitive dramas and increased scrutiny over Jisoo’s transition from pop star to film actress, according to the report. Times of India.
