BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is about to take viewers on a magical ride where she dates not one, but several perfect men, including the charismatic Lee Soo Hyuk, all from the comfort of her own home. The upcoming Netflix series Monthly Boyfriend (also known as Boyfriend on Demand) is creating major buzz, and the recent teasers hint at a dreamy, almost Disney-like romance between Jisoo’s character and her virtual love interests. The show, which premieres globally on March 6, 2026, presents a unique concept: a weary webtoon producer who subscribes to a virtual dating service to escape her mundane reality. Among the star-studded lineup of “virtual boyfriends,” Lee Soo Hyuk’s role stands out, promising a fairytale romance that fans won’t want to miss.
What is Monthly Boyfriend All About?
Monthly Boyfriend is a fresh romantic comedy set in a world where technology can fulfill your romantic fantasies. The story centers on Seo Mi-rae, played by Jisoo, a hardworking webtoon producer in her thirties who is completely drained by her daily life. She has little time for real-world dating and has basically given up on finding love. Everything changes when she stumbles upon a subscription-based virtual reality service also called “Monthly Boyfriend.” This high-tech device allows her to enter different fantasy worlds and go on perfect dates with flawlessly designed virtual partners.
The drama cleverly contrasts Mi-rae’s dull reality with the exciting, picture-perfect scenarios she experiences in the virtual world. Viewers will see her navigate chaotic work life with her colleagues while secretly indulging in breathtaking dates with some of the most handsome men in K-drama. The series consists of 10 episodes and is directed by Kim Jung-sik, who is known for his hit romantic comedies like No Gain No Love and Work Later, Drink Now .
Lee Soo Hyuk as the Fairytale Prince
This is where the Disney-like magic comes in. Lee Soo Hyuk, famous for his intense roles in The Scholar Who Walks the Night and Doom at Your Service, takes on a very special appearance as one of Mi-rae’s virtual boyfriends. Unlike his usual dark and mysterious characters, Lee Soo Hyuk’s role in Monthly Boyfriend is reportedly that of a prince in a traditional Korean (sageuk) setting . The teaser clips show him dressed in elegant royal attire, exuding a classic, fairytale charm that immediately catches the eye.
The director of the series, Kim Jung-sik, specifically praised Lee Soo Hyuk for his performance. He mentioned that the role required a certain “cheesy” acting style, similar to characters that pop out of a webtoon, and that Lee Soo Hyuk “nailed it” . For fans, seeing Lee Soo Hyuk deliver sweet, romantic dialogues in a royal setting opposite Jisoo is a major treat. It offers a glimpse of a softer, more romantic side of the actor that is rarely seen. This pairing alone feels like a scene straight out of an animated princess movie, where the commoner girl meets a charming prince in a magical land.
The Star-Studded Lineup of Virtual Boyfriends
Lee Soo Hyuk is just one piece of the puzzle. The appeal of Monthly Boyfriend lies in its incredible roster of male leads who appear as Mi-rae’s various virtual dates. Each one represents a different “genre” or fantasy, catering to every viewer’s taste. The lineup includes:
- Seo Kang-joon: Known for his gentle visuals, he plays a romantic interest in the virtual world.
- Lee Jae-wook: The Alchemy of Souls star appears as a doctor, adding a professional and caring vibe to the romance .
- Ong Seong-wu: He brings his youthful charm to the series.
- Kim Young-dae: A familiar face from many romantic comedies.
- Lee Hyun-wook, Jay Park, and Lee Sang-yi also make special appearances, rounding out this impressive cast .
Each of these actors embodies a different fantasy trope, allowing Jisoo’s character to experience everything from high-school crushes to glamorous celebrity dates, all within the simulation.
The Real-World Connection: Seo In-guk’s Role
While the virtual dates are visually stunning and heart-fluttering, the story doesn’t forget about reality. Seo In-guk plays the male lead, Park Kyung-nam, who is Mi-rae’s competent but seemingly cold colleague at the webtoon studio . He is her rival at work, and their relationship starts off on the wrong foot. However, as the story progresses, the lines between Mi-rae’s perfect virtual dates and her complicated real-life interactions with Kyung-nam begin to blur.
Seo In-guk described his character as someone who is “robotic” on the surface but hides warmth and consideration underneath . This sets up a classic romantic comedy dilemma: will Mi-rae choose the perfect, safe, and controlled love from her virtual boyfriends, or will she take a chance on the messy, unpredictable, but genuine connection with a real person? Seo In-guk mentioned that working with Jisoo was “fun and humorous,” and that her portrayal of Mi-rae was even more charming than what was written in the script .
Jisoo’s Journey to Becoming “Rom-com Queen”
For Jisoo, Monthly Boyfriend is a significant milestone. It marks her first modern-day romantic comedy . While she has previously impressed audiences in serious roles like Snowdrop and the zombie drama Newtopia, this series allows her to showcase her relatable and comedic side. At the press conference held in Seoul on February 26, Jisoo shared that she felt a deep connection to her character, Mi-rae. “When I first read the script, the premise didn’t feel like a distant future at all. Mi-rae and I have a lot in common — our age, our worries,” she explained. “Personality-wise, too, we share a lot, like being afraid of challenges and change” .
Director Kim Jung-sik also heaped praise on the BLACKPINK star, revealing that she appears in more than 95% of the show and worked incredibly hard despite the demanding schedule . When asked if she aimed to become the “queen of rom-com,” Jisoo shyly expressed her hope, and the director immediately supported her, stating, “She deserves it! I’m surprised she didn’t do this sooner” .
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Supporting Cast and Release Details
The drama is further enriched by a strong supporting cast. Yoo In-na plays the “Date Matching Manager” in the virtual world, guiding Mi-rae through her experiences . Gong Min-jeung takes on the role of a famous webtoon artist, while Lee Hak-joo plays the team leader who introduces Mi-rae to the virtual dating service. These characters add depth and humor to both the real and virtual worlds .
Monthly Boyfriend will be available for streaming on Netflix in over 190 countries. The release timing is as follows:
- USA (Pacific Time): March 5, 2026, 4:00 PM (approx.)
- USA (Eastern Time): March 5, 2026, 7:00 PM (approx.)
- UK: March 6, 2026, 12:00 AM (midnight)
- Canada: March 5, 2026, 8:00 PM (approx.)
- Australia (Sydney): March 6, 2026, 11:00 AM (approx.)
- India: March 6, 2026, 5:30 AM (approx.)
- Worldwide: Available starting March 6, 2026 (local time varies) .
With its unique premise, a mix of fairytale fantasy and relatable real-life struggles, and a cast full of K-drama heartthrobs including Lee Soo Hyuk, Monthly Boyfriend is shaping up to be the perfect feel-good watch for spring. Jisoo’s journey from a tired office worker to a princess dancing with Lee Soo Hyuk’s prince is exactly the kind of escapism viewers are looking for.
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