Boyfriend on Demand, The Global Romance That Made Jisoo a Drama Star
Released on Netflix on March 6, 2026, Boyfriend on Demand is BLACKPINK Jisoo's first leading drama role and a fantasy romantic comedy that took the world by storm. The series follows webtoon PD Seo Mi-rae (Jisoo), who subscribes to a virtual reality boyfriend service, and her prickly real-world colleague Park Kyung-nam (Seo In-guk), as their virtual and real romances collide in unexpected ways.
Directed by Kim Jung-sik (known for "Drink Up Ladies" and "Hate to Lose"), the drama features a star-studded lineup of virtual boyfriends played by Kim Young-dae, Seo Kang-jun, Lee Soo-hyuk, Ong Seong-wu, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Hyun-wook, Jay Park, and Lee Sang-yi. Within just two days of release, the series rocketed to No. 1 on Netflix's Global Non-English TV chart, recording 4.8 million views in its first week and entering the Top 10 in 47 countries. It simultaneously hit No. 1 in South Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam, proving that Jisoo's star power extends far beyond the K-pop stage. The unprecedented crossover between BLINK (BLACKPINK's fandom) and K-drama audiences created a cultural moment that redefined what a drama debut could achieve.
Behind the Scenes
Production on Boyfriend on Demand spanned approximately six months, from October 28, 2024 to May 1, 2025. Roughly 70% of filming took place across Seoul, with the remaining 30% shot on location in Cebu, Philippines, creating a visual contrast between urban romance and tropical escapism.
The Seoul filming centered on the Seongdong-gu district, particularly the scenic stretch between Dongho Bridge and Seongsu Bridge along the Han River. The emotionally charged nighttime conversations between Mi-rae and Kyung-nam used Seoul's actual skyline with zero CGI enhancement, the production team relying entirely on the city's natural beauty. Hongdae's bustling streets provided the setting for Mi-rae's everyday life scenes, shot guerrilla-style in real operating cafes and streets, with actual passersby sometimes appearing naturally in frame.
The Cebu shoot took place over approximately two weeks in February 2025. Shangri-La Mactan Resort served as the primary overseas location, its private beach becoming the stage for the drama's most romantic sequences. Additional Cebu locations included Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, NUSTAR Resort & Casino, and El Mar Resort, each contributing distinct visual atmospheres. A beachside community in Danao City became an unexpected social media phenomenon when local residents spotted Jisoo and Seo In-guk during filming and shared photos online, generating massive buzz weeks before the official premiere.
The drama's virtual reality world was brought to life at Innosimulation Studio in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, while subway interior scenes utilized the purpose-built Location Ieum Set in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. The seamless blending of real locations with VR sequences became one of the drama's most praised technical achievements.
Travel Guide to Filming Locations
Seoul Route (Half Day): Hongdae Station → Hongdae Street walk → Han River Dongho-Seongsu Bridge night walk → Namsan Tower
- Hongdae Street: Directly from Hongik University Station Exit 9 (Line 2). The Wausan-ro cafe district is the drama's main daily-life backdrop. Visit after 3 PM to catch live street busking performances that mirror the drama's youthful energy.
- Dongho Bridge to Seongsu Bridge: 10-15 minute walk from Ttukseom Station (Line 2) or Oksu Station (Line 3). Walk the Han River riverside trail between both bridges for the exact drama atmosphere. Sunset to evening (6-8 PM) is the optimal time, when the bridge lights create the same romantic glow seen on screen.
- Namsan Tower: Take the Namsan Cable Car from Myeongdong Station Exit 3 (Line 4). Cable car round trip 16,500 KRW (~$12), observatory admission 16,000 KRW (~$11.50). Open until 11 PM, making it perfect for night panorama shots matching the drama's skyline scenes.
Cebu Route (1-2 Days):
- Shangri-La Mactan Resort: About 20 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport by car. Day-use packages available for non-guests. Features private beach, world-class snorkeling, and luxury spa facilities.
- Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort: About 10 minutes from Shangri-La. A more budget-friendly option that still appeared in several drama scenes.
- Best Time to Visit: Cebu's dry season runs December through May, with February to April offering the best weather. This also coincides with when the drama was filmed, giving you the closest visual match to what you see on screen.
Fan Pilgrimage
Immediately after release, hashtags #BoyfriendOnDemand, #월간남친촬영지, and #JisooInCebu exploded across social media platforms worldwide. The unique crossover between BLACKPINK's massive BLINK fandom and traditional K-drama audiences created pilgrimage patterns unlike anything seen before, with fans traveling to filming locations across two countries.
The Han River trail between Dongho and Seongsu Bridges has been nicknamed the "Boyfriend on Demand date course," attracting couples who recreate the drama's nighttime walking scenes. In Cebu, Shangri-La Mactan experienced an immediate surge in Korean tourist bookings, prompting the resort to launch a dedicated "Boyfriend on Demand package" with themed amenities.
The Philippine response was particularly enthusiastic. Residents of Danao City, Cebu who witnessed the filming shared their experiences online, transforming their quiet beachside community into a tourist destination almost overnight. Under #JisooInCebu and #BoyfriendOnDemandCebu, tens of thousands of Filipino fans posted pilgrimage photos, making this one of the most viral K-drama filming location trends of 2026. The drama has been credited with a measurable boost to Korean tourism to Cebu, with Philippine tourism officials acknowledging the "Jisoo effect."
Nearby Food and Attractions
Seoul, Hongdae & Seongsu: The Yeonnam-dong cafe street adjacent to Hongdae perfectly captures the same aesthetic as Mi-rae's favorite cafes in the drama. After your Han River walk, Seongsu-dong has emerged as Seoul's trendiest cafe and gallery district. Explore Daelim Warehouse Gallery Cafe and Or.er near Seongsu Station for Instagram-worthy spaces. Near Namsan Tower, Myeongdong offers iconic Korean street food (tteokbokki, hotteok, egg bread), and Namsangol Hanok Village provides a traditional culture experience steps from the modern city. For dinner, the Itaewon neighborhood (one subway stop from Namsan) offers international dining options that mirror the cosmopolitan vibe of the drama.
Cebu: Beyond the luxury resort restaurants, don't miss Maribago Grill on Mactan Island for authentic Filipino seafood BBQ at local prices. In Cebu City, Carbon Market (the city's largest traditional market) offers tropical fruits, dried fish, and local street food at budget-friendly prices. For adventure beyond the resort, the Oslob whale shark snorkeling tour (about 3 hours south of Cebu by car) and Kawasan Falls canyoneering are bucket-list Cebu activities that pair perfectly with a filming location pilgrimage. The Tops Lookout in Busay offers panoramic views of Cebu City at sunset, rivaling Namsan Tower's Seoul views.
