In the high-stakes world of Hallyu, where every move of a global superstar is dissected by millions, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo finds herself at a pivotal turning point in her acting career.
On February 26, 2026, during a major production press conference at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dongdaemun, Seoul, Jisoo stood alongside co-star Seo In Guk and director Kim Jung Sik to officially introduce her latest project, the Netflix fantasy-romance series “Boyfriend on Demand” (also known as Monthly Boyfriend).
While the event was a celebration of her first foray into the romantic comedy genre, it also served as a stage for Jisoo to directly address the persistent “acting controversy” that has followed her since her lead debut in Snowdrop.
A Multi-Faceted Challenge in Virtual Reality
“Boyfriend on Demand” presents a unique narrative challenge that requires Jisoo to play not just one character, but a wide spectrum of personas.
She stars as Seo Mi Rae, a webtoon PD who feels powerless and exhausted in her everyday office life.
To escape her reality, she subscribes to a virtual reality service that allows her to “date” a different themed boyfriend each month.
This premise forced Jisoo to transform into various characters within the VR world- from a professional flight attendant to diverse personas- requiring a high level of versatility.
Jisoo shared that the role felt naturally aligned with her own stage in life:
“Mi Rae is close to my age, so there were many relatable parts. Experiencing various virtual realities with changing jobs allowed me to immerse deeply into each situation.”
This immersion extended to a staggering “visual transformation,” with Jisoo revealing that she wore approximately 250 different outfits throughout the project to distinguish between the many virtual and real-life versions of her character.
Addressing the Critics and “Effort Over Talent”
The most significant moment of the press conference came when the discussion turned toward the public’s perception of Jisoo’s acting abilities.
Historically, critics have pointed to her vocal delivery and emotional range as areas of concern.
However, director Kim Jung Sik was quick to offer a staunch defense of his lead actress.
He revealed that Jisoo carried over 95% of the total screen time, a massive responsibility that she reportedly handled “flawlessly.”
The director’s praise went beyond simple professional courtesy, as he touched on her relentless work ethic.
“She worked very hard, and through seeing her on set, I realized that ‘effort can surpass talent,’” he stated.
This comment highlights a narrative of growth; while Jisoo may have entered the acting world as a “visual” idol, her team is now positioning her as a dedicated craftsperson who has put in the hours to refine her skills.
Jisoo herself expressed a newfound confidence, noting that her approach to this drama was far more collaborative than her previous works.
“Taking on various roles, I had more conversations with the director to show a better side this time. I worked hard to find acting that suits me, and I hope people will say that I found a character that fits perfectly in this project,” she explained.
This shift toward finding “acting that suits her” suggests that Jisoo is moving away from the heavy melodrama of her past and leaning into the lighter, more expressive requirements of the rom-com genre.
Global Expectations for a “Rom-Com Queen”
The chemistry between the leads also seems promising. Co-star Seo In Guk praised her portrayal, noting that the Mi Rae brought to life by Jisoo was “far more lovable and had a charm that made you want to embrace her beyond the script.”
This sentiment is crucial for a romantic comedy, where the audience’s emotional investment in the lead’s “lovability” is the engine that drives the show’s success.
As “Boyfriend on Demand” prepares for its worldwide release on Netflix on March 6, 2026, the industry is watching closely.
For Jisoo, this project is more than just a new drama; it is a strategic attempt to silence the skeptics and prove that she can headline a major production on the strength of her performance, not just her global celebrity status.
Whether her 250 outfits and “95% screen time” will result in a critical victory remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Jisoo is no longer shying away from the controversy.
She is meeting it head-on with a smile, a new genre, and a promise of significant growth.
