A K-drama drawing buzz for its star-studded male cameos is now blowing up worldwide.
According to Netflix Tudum on the 11th, Boyfriend on Demand racked up 2.6 million views and 25.6 million viewing hours within three days of release, debuting at No. 4 on the Global Top 10 Non-English TV list. Notably, it ranked No. 1 by viewing hours, signaling breakout momentum. The series also cracked the Top 10 in 34 countries, including South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, and Chile, proving its global pull.
The surge is reflected in buzz metrics, too. In the first week of March’s TV-OTT integrated drama buzz rankings, Boyfriend on Demand took No. 1, while cast members Ji Soo and Seo In-guk ranked No. 1 and No. 3 respectively. The romantic comedy follows Mi-rae, a webtoon PD played by Ji Soo, who ‘subscribes’ to romance through a virtual dating simulation, with Seo In-guk as the male lead, Gyeong-nam. Special appearances by Seo Kang-joon, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Ong Seong-wu add extra star power.
International media are raving. Time magazine wrote, “Boyfriend on Demand zeroes in on the emotions and consequences of a woman’s choices in a reality where attention equals value and constant demands never let up.” U.S. outlet Decider added, “Ji Soo’s charm and the variety of dating scenarios set it apart from other Korean rom-coms.” India’s Economic Times also praised the show for its “fresh virtual-dating premise and captivating performances,” calling it a fast-rising “must-watch” for romance fans.
Back home, reactions are split, with some saying, “The acting feels similar to past roles,” and others commenting, “It would’ve been better with a bit more practice.”
Boyfriend on Demand is now streaming on Netflix.