Introduction
If you check one of the options above, you probably want to think about virtual dating (if you haven’t done it). So is our Female Lead in this drama, Seo Mi Rae. Tired of the reality of life? Maybe not even a rough one, just the normal, day-to-day life. Waking up, going to work, commuting, and the day ends with some hours left for yourself before going to bed. Even if you don’t work, you might be a student, a homemaker, or a retiree; anyone can easily become trapped in rigid or mundane routines. And just like Mi Rae, you don’t really want to do any social activity outside these routines. Let alone dating!
Boyfriend on Demand explores the intersection of modern technology and human emotion in a fun way. It highlights the tension between curated online personas and authentic, messy, in-person connections.
This review article contains spoilers. See my spoiler system of what I hide in tags and what is not. Also includes the pros and cons of virtual romance, with some examples from the drama.
Credit: “AI-lationship”, human-AI relationship, is a term coined by AI chatbot company Joi AI (Source: Forbes).
Drama Info
Drama title: Boyfriend on Demand (Native title: 월간남친)
Alternative title: Monthly Boyfriend, Wolgannamchin
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
Aired: 6 Mar, 2026
Episodes: 10 | Duration: 60 minutes
Director: Kim Jung Sik (김정식)
Screenwriter: Namgoong Do Young (남궁도영)
Where to watch: Netflix
OST
YouTube Topic links, audio only:
“What A Love” by Do Young (도영)
“Dancing in CoDE” by Sam Ock (샘 옥)
“Dream Subscription” by Gemini (제미나이)
Trailer
Synopsis
Seo Mi-rae is worn out by work. Love? It’s the last thing on her mind. But a virtual dating service sparks feelings — and maybe a real shot at romance. (Source: Netflix)
Characters
Main Characters
Ji Soo (지수) as Seo Mi Rae
A Webtoon PD dreaming of a second chance at love in virtual reality. In her busy and exhausting real life, she has become accustomed to a life without romance. She enters the virtual world of Boyfriend on Demand virtual dating app to review it. The “dopamine explosion” surges through her, awakens the forgotten romance cells through dating unrealistically perfect men in the virtual world.
Seo In Guk (서인국) as Park Gyeong Nam / Koo Yeong Il
Seo Mi Rae’s workplace colleague and rival webtoon PD. To her, he is the person she feels most uncomfortable meeting, but he is recognized as a genius in the company. Indifferent and somewhat selfish, Gyeong Nam is someone with a secret twist that piques curiosity.
Supporting Characters
The relationship chart of the supporting characters is seen below, and it’s pretty much self-explanatory. Source: MyDramaList, uploaded by Zari.
Review
Story and Plot
This is a light-hearted romcom blended with sci-fi/technology. If you want to watch it for the AI societal impact on someone who has used a virtual boyfriend for some time, this is not the drama about. Mi Rae only tried the app for a month with the purpose of doing a review about it. In one month, she tried several “boyfriends”, so there is no real attachment or addiction to any character.
I like that the show explores, through Mi Rae, why people use virtual dating apps, or any virtual relationship app. There is a need for comfort and genuine connection in a high-stress world with superficial connections.
The breakdown romance plot is as follows: the first half is virtual dates, and the last half real date. Their romance is slow-burning.
The AI-lationship vs IRL dating
Below are medium spoilers of the details of the dating phase.
AI-lationship
Throughout the whole drama, Mi Rae is connected with the AI characters. However, her “boyfriend,” whom she acknowledged to the real world, is Eun Ho and Yeong Il (see the Cameo Appearances below if you want to know in which episodes). In later episodes, when Mi Rae’s heart is swayed towards the real person, Gyeong Nam, Yeong Il is more like her confidante.
IRL dating
Through a series of coincidences, Gyeong Nam started to have a feeling towards Mi Rae and quietly cares for her, but at that time, he heard she had a boyfriend (Eun Ho). Once he knew she was available (she “broke up” with Eun Ho), he confessed in Episode 5 but was rejected, mainly because she was afraid of a real romance. They got together in Episode 8, but it was rocky when he found out about her AI “boyfriend”, Yeong Il.
Characterization and Acting
I have never watched the actress’s dramas before, nor am I a K-pop fan, so I don’t have any comparison. I think Jisoo is hilarious as the expressive Mi Rae, she acted quite well in this romcom. On the other hand, Seo In Guk played a quiet Male Lead, in which he relied on subtle cues to convey Gyeong Nam’s feelings to Mi-rae. I think this role makes him underutilized, because in the first part of the drama, Gyeong Nam is more like a supporting character. She is busy dating her AI boyfriends. However, when Gyeong Nam is brought forward as the true Male Lead, Seo In Guk’s acting shines, as usual. The scene in Episode 8 made me teary-eyed.
Cameo appearances
If you’re curious about the AI boyfriends, below is the breakdown based on Mi Rae’s exposure of the app. All are medium spoilers.
One-month trial
Mi Rae was asked by the app rep to try the device for one month, then write a review about it. Her boyfriends at this stage:
- Choi Si U (Lee Soo Hyuk), chaebol. Episodes 1, 2, and 9 (Ji Yeon’s date)
- Seo Eun Ho (Seo Kang Jun), campus heartthrob. Episodes 1, 2, and 9 (Ji Yeon’s date)
Choi Si U
Basic Level subscription for ₩500,000 monthly
- Bae Hyeon U (Ong Seong Wu), NIS agent. Episode 4.
- Lee Jae Uk (Lee Jae Wook), ER doctor. Episodes 4 and 6 (Yun Song’s date in the end credit).
- Prosecutor (Lee Hyun Wook). Episode 4.
- Joseon assassin (Kim Young Dae). Episode 4 and 6 (Yun Song’s date in the end credit).
- Jay Park as himself, a singer. Episode 4
- Firefighter (Lee Sang Yi). Ending credit of Episode 4.
Lee Jae Uk, with the typical kabedon trope
Premium Level subscription for ₩1,000,000 monthly
This is where Mi Rae is hooked by the app, requesting to meet Eun Ho again. She can only connect to him (reunion after 10 years) if she upgrades her subscription from Basic to Premium. Episodes 4 and 5.
Royal Level subscription for ₩2,000,000 monthly
After finding that Eun Ho becomes a favorite boyfriend for 12,434 other women, Mi Rae wants to cancel her subscription. This is where the app customizes Mi Rae’s boyfriend after filling out a detailed questionnaire about what her ideal boyfriend is. The app names this ideal boyfriend Koo Yeong Il. Same name, but the look, character, behavior, and setting are customized. Episodes 5 to 10.
Seo In Guk also acted as Koo Yeong Il. The viewers can see the striking differences between Gyeong Nam and Yeong Il’s characters and behaviors.
Someone else’s virtual boyfriend
Chef Nam/Jjong (Choi Si Won), Yun Song’s, in Episodes 9 and 10.
Visualization
The real-world setting looks nice as usual in K-dramas, but nothing stands out because it’s natural. On the other hand, the virtual world is strikingly different. Heavy CGI on the virtual world for an ideal romantic setting with perfect and vibrant set design.
The hi-so romance with Choi Si U
Eun Ho and Mi Rae’s first meeting with the typical cherry blossom background
Pros and Cons of Virtual Romance
According to Psychology Today (Sources: 1, 2, 3). Examples are taken from the drama.
Pros
Reduced Loneliness and Stress: AI provides 24/7 companionship, offering constant support and validation that can alleviate feelings of isolation.
Example: Although Mi Rae only logs into the app (with the helmet) when she’s home, she and her virtual boyfriends can text each other any time.
Safe Space for Trauma Recovery: Women and others dealing with relational trauma or fear of opening up can use AI for a low-stakes, non-judgmental, and secure environment.
Example (medium spoiler)
The reason Mi Rae decides to use the virtual dating app (paid version) is not only that she’s too busy to date, but she also had a bad breakup in the past.
Boosted Confidence: Users report feeling more confident in real-life social interactions after practicing communication with AI.
Example: Mi Rae gives dating advice to her co-workers based on her experience during virtual dating.
Emotional Customization: AI partners are designed to be “idealized,” offering personalized support and affection tailored to the user’s needs.
Example (medium spoiler)
Eventually, when Mi Rae finds out that the “boyfriend” she really likes, Eun Ho, says the same thing to other women, she wants to cancel her subscription, but the app lures her to date a personalized boyfriend, Yeong Il, customized only for her.
Cons
Unrealistic Expectations: Because AI is designed to be endlessly patient and supportive, it creates a high bar that real, imperfect human partners cannot meet, potentially causing disillusionment with real-world relationships.
Example: (medium spoiler)
Mi Rae compares Gyeong Nam with Yeong Il, her customized virtual boyfriend, who looks exactly like Gyeong Nam.
Increased Social Isolation: Over-reliance on AI may lead to neglecting real-life relationships, ultimately deepening, rather than curing, long-term loneliness.
Example: Mi Rae refuses some invitations from work and her bestie to social gatherings.
Weakened Social Skills: Constant, friction-free interaction with AI may stunt the development of conflict resolution and compromise skills necessary for human relationships.
Example: (medium spoiler)
Mi Rae, and also another character who uses the virtual dating app, fell into texting addiction with their AI boyfriends, harming their work productivity and performance.
Perpetuation of Stereotypes: AI companions can reinforce harmful gender or behavioral stereotypes.
Example: At some point, Mi Rae lamented that “all good men are taken”.
Potential for Psychosis/Delusion: Some users have reported, or are at risk of, developing unhealthy, delusional attachments to the AI, according to Psychology Today.
Example: Mi Rae sees Choi Si U and Eun Ho everywhere.
Conclusion
In the end, according to Boyfriend on Demand, real, imperfect relationships are more rewarding than idealized virtual ones. The virtual, subscription-based boyfriends offer a safe, pain-free escape, but ultimately, a genuine connection requires dealing with real, messy human emotions. Real love requires the courage to trust. The patience, consistency, and grounded love contrast with the artificial perfection of the virtual world.
My final rating: 8.5/10 based on my rating system (+1 story/plot, +1 characterization/acting, +0.5 visualization).
“Relationships are dangerous. Love is even more dangerous. But this time, I think I’ll be okay. Because it’s us.” (Seo Mi Rae)
