BLACKPINK member Jisoo's new Netflix romantic comedy series "Boyfriend on Demand" has climbed to No. 1 on the streamer's weekly global non-English TV chart, drawing 4.8 million views and topping the list in 47 countries for the week ending Mar. 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 the show entering Top 10 lists in dozens of countries, with No. 1 positions reported in South Korea and several markets across Asia and Latin America.
"Boyfriend on Demand" stars Jisoo as Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer in 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, setting off a series of romantic and comedic complications that blur the line between digital and real-world relationships.
Alongside the virtual romance, Mi-rae clashes at work with a rival producer played by Seo In-guk, whose initially prickly relationship with her gradually softens as they work late nights together. The story follows Mi-rae's efforts to balance career ambitions with emotional vulnerability, as she reassesses what she wants from love and partnership.
The series' strong debut comes five years after Jisoo's formal acting launch, a period marked by repeated scrutiny of her performances. Critics previously cited issues such as unstable vocal delivery, weak line projection, and stiff facial expressions, particularly in dialogue-heavy or emotional scenes, the Korea Times reported.
Debate over her acting intensified with her first lead role in the 2021 JTBC drama "Snowdrop." Commentators at the time argued she struggled to carry a title role and that uneven performances, including from co-star Jung Hae-in, weakened the central romance.
"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. Those disputes fueled broader discussion about casting idols in historically sensitive dramas and heightened scrutiny of Jisoo's transition from pop star to screen actress, as per the Times of India.
Originally published on Kpop Starz
