The internet is having a lot to say about the new Netflix K-drama Boyfriend On Demand, but not all of it is about the romance. After the official trailer dropped on February 19, 2026, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo found herself at the center of a heated online debate. While the drama promises a fun mix of virtual fantasy and real-life love, the conversation quickly shifted to her male co-stars. Viewers are flooding social media with harsh comments about the visuals of some actors, particularly targeting a few cameo appearances with words like “ugly” and expressing disbelief over the casting choices.
The new teaser gave fans a longer look at Jisoo’s character, Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer who signs up for a virtual dating simulation to escape her boring daily life . Inside this app called Monthly Boyfriend, she gets to date a roster of different men designed to be her ideal type. The show brings in a huge lineup of guest stars to play these fantasy boyfriends, including Seo Kang Joon, Lee Soo Hyuk, Kim Young Dae, Lee Jae Wook, Ong Seong Wu, Lee Sang Yi, and surprisingly, singer and rapper Jay Park . While Seo In Guk plays the male lead, Park Kyung Nam, a real-life colleague who slowly becomes her “overtime work buddy” .
The Jay Park Cameo That Sparked Heated Debate
The biggest shock for viewers was seeing Jay Park appear as one of Jisoo’s virtual boyfriends. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) exploded with mixed reactions as soon as the trailer went live. Many users could not hide their surprise, and not always in a good way. The criticism was direct and personal, with some commenters focusing heavily on his looks and questioning why he was cast in a romantic role opposite Jisoo.
One user expressed complete disbelief, writing, “I’d laugh at ur face if ud ever tell me jay park is one of jisoos love interest in a drama” . Another comment went viral for its bluntness, stating, “tf is jay park doing in a rom com w jisoo???? abt to hit the mommae?” . The reference to his song “Mommae” highlights the confusion fans felt, as they are used to seeing him as a rapper, not a romantic lead in a K-drama.
The criticism was not limited to confusion about his career switch. Some comments were harsher, directly insulting his appearance. A user compared him unfavorably to other potential candidates, tweeting, “They could’ve gotten another Idol Boyfriend, seriously why him??” . Another pointed out the stark contrast in public perception, saying, “Iconic: The most controversial K-pop idol VS the idol with no controversy whatsoever, in the same drama. Help!” . This comment refers to Jay Park’s past controversies in the industry, which some fans feel makes him an odd match with Jisoo, who is known for having a clean public image.
Fans Defend the Drama Amidst the Backlash
While the negative comments gained a lot of attention, many fans of Jisoo and the upcoming drama rushed to defend the casting and shut down what they see as unnecessary hate. They pointed out a crucial detail that many critics seemed to be missing: Jay Park’s role is just a brief cameo, not a main character. His appearance in the virtual dating app is likely short, similar to the other guest stars who pop up for fantasy sequences.
One fan tried to calm the situation by urging others to ignore the cameos and focus on the lead actress. They posted, “If you don’t like a certain guy, please just scroll past and don’t give him attention. He’s only a cameo, not main cast. Let’s keep the focus on Jisoo and continue hyping up BOD. The teaser so goods, so why bring unnecessary negativity into something that’s meant to be enjoyed” .
Others expressed excitement for the show despite the casting drama. Many viewers are genuinely looking forward to seeing Jisoo in a light-hearted romantic comedy. One fan shared their enthusiasm on X, writing, “This looks so cute,” while another added, “I’m so ready for Jisoo rom-com era” . The dynamic between Jisoo and Seo In Guk has also generated positive buzz, with fans curious to see their chemistry play out on screen .
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What Boyfriend On Demand Is Really About
Boyfriend On Demand is shaping up to be a unique entry in the rom-com genre. Directed by Kim Jung-sik (Work Later, Drink Now) and written by Namgung Do-young, the series explores the modern question of whether a perfectly designed fantasy can beat a real, imperfect connection . Jisoo’s character, Seo Mi-rae, uses the app to experience flawless dates. The teaser shows her in various picture-perfect scenarios with different actors, from campus romances to seaside moments .
However, reality keeps pulling her back in the form of her colleague Kyeong-nam, played by Seo In Guk. Unlike the idealized men in the app, Kyeong-nam is just a regular guy who works late with her. Their bond grows slowly and naturally, forcing Mi-rae to question if her subscription to a perfect boyfriend can ever compete with genuine human feelings .
The show is set to premiere globally on Netflix on March 6, 2026. For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, the series will be available for streaming from that date. Fans in India can also watch it on Netflix starting March 6 .
The debate over the casting is unlikely to disappear completely before the show airs. But for many, the final judgment will come when they actually see how these fantasy sequences play out in the full series. Whether the controversy helps or hurts viewership remains to be seen, but it has certainly kept Boyfriend On Demand trending online. The coming weeks leading up to the release will show if the buzz translates into streams or if the criticism overshadows the drama itself.
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