Netflix's 'Monthly Boyfriend' Climbs Global Charts Amidst Acting Controversy

Netflix series 'Monthly Boyfriend' has released a Q&A with director Kim Jung-sik and writer Namgung Do-young. Previously, the series faced criticism over lead actress Ji-soo's acting skills, with some arguing that her performance detracted from the show's immersion. In South Korea, debates have intensified over whether Ji-soo's efforts were lacking.

According to Netflix's Tudum TOP 10 website on the 11th, 'Monthly Boyfriend' ranked 4th in the global TOP 10 non-English shows just three days after its release. It also topped the 'TOP 10 series in South Korea' and appeared in the TOP 10 lists of 34 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, and Chile. Additionally, it scored a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes' audience score and ranked 1st in TV-OTT integrated drama buzz and 1st (Ji-soo) and 3rd (Seo In-guk) in cast buzz according to Good Data Corporation's Fundex for the first week of March.

'Monthly Boyfriend' is praised for blending dopamine-filled virtual dating scenes with real-life romance stories, offering both excitement and empathy. The series goes beyond the unique concept of a 'virtual dating subscription service' to explore a character's growth in love and relationships, touching many hearts. Director Kim Jung-sik explained, "'Monthly Boyfriend' features three characters who use the same service but make different choices. Mi-rae (Ji-soo) chooses real-world love, writer Yoon Song (Gong Min-jung) opts for virtual love, and Ji-yeon (Ha-young) embraces both. Through these characters, I wanted to convey that there's no right way to love. I hope viewers of 'Monthly Boyfriend' reflect on what kind of love they would choose."

Writer Namgung Do-young added, "'Monthly Boyfriend' starts with the unique concept of romance in virtual reality but ultimately tells the story of Mi-rae, an ordinary person overcoming loneliness and fear to find the courage to love. The final episode's title, 'Such an Ordinary Future,' is borrowed from a novel of the same name. It signifies that the protagonist, Seo Mi-rae, is an ordinary person, and it also expresses the hope that our future outside the drama will be as happy as Mi-rae's. I hope viewers find courage and solace in Mi-rae's growth."

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Below is the full Q&A with director Kim Jung-sik and writer Namgung Do-young.

Q. Are there any memorable reviews from viewers or people around you?

Director Kim Jung-sik: I've seen several reviews, and the one that stands out is the positive feedback on Ji-soo's compatibility with the character Mi-rae. There was also a comment saying, 'I understand why Seo In-guk was cast as Kyung-nam,' which I attribute to the actors' convincing portrayals. As a director, I feel very proud and grateful.

Writer Namgung Do-young: A comment that said, 'I didn't know my heart could have so many chambers,' is memorable. I was also very thankful for the feedback that said, 'I felt Mi-rae's excitement and sadness.' When a friend who hadn't dated in a long time contacted me personally to say, 'Watching the drama made me want to date,' I felt a sense of fulfillment.

Q. What inspired the intriguing concept of a 'virtual dating subscription service'?

Writer Namgung Do-young: 'Monthly Boyfriend' began when a PD suggested the idea of 'subscribing to a boyfriend every month' a few years ago. It was intriguing, but without the 'virtual dating' aspect, it was hard to write about humans subscribing to humans. While pondering, I thought, 'What if the counterpart is AI?' Combining 'AI,' 'virtual reality,' and 'romance' seemed like it could create a very contemporary romance drama. The production company liked the concept, leading to the birth of the 'virtual dating subscription service.'

Q. Why was the character 'Seo Mi-rae' chosen as the protagonist, focusing on overcoming past wounds?

Director Kim Jung-sik: Personally, I hoped 'Monthly Boyfriend' wouldn't just end as a story with a provocative setting but as a tale of someone hurt by love facing it again and healing. I remember discussing and contemplating these aspects with the actors.

Writer Namgung Do-young: I think I was stuck on the question, 'Who would change the most dramatically by using this service?' for a long time. While reading Deborah Levy's essay 'The Cost of Living,' I came across a line: 'Keeping a distance from love means living a life without risk. What's the point of living such a life?' That's when I became convinced that this story should be about a woman afraid of the risks of human relationships.

Q. Why did you create the characters Mi-rae, Yoon Song, and Ji-yeon with different approaches to the service?

Writer Namgung Do-young: Mi-rae, Ji-yeon, and Yoon Song represent three positions women can take in romantic relationships. They are, respectively, 'a woman who doesn't date voluntarily,' 'a woman who dates passionately,' and 'a woman who wants to date but can't.' Although Mi-rae is the protagonist, I wanted to show other perspectives that viewers could relate to. I hoped the spectrum of female characters in 'Monthly Boyfriend' would be broad. By showing how the three women use the 'Monthly Boyfriend service' differently, I aimed to express the diverse personalities and desires of women.

Q. Why did you choose a conclusion where Mi-rae opts for 'real-world romance'?

Director Kim Jung-sik: I believe the story's conclusion should ultimately connect to reality. In virtual dating, the counterpart can be tailored to you, but I think real love isn't like that. Love is about two people adjusting to each other and forming a relationship through genuine emotional exchanges. That's why I wanted Mi-rae to choose a real-world relationship over virtual dating. Ultimately, I think this work is about the real emotions formed between people.

Q. What can you say about Seo In-guk's portrayal of Park Kyung-nam and Goo Young-il?

Director Kim Jung-sik: With Goo Young-il appearing later, Seo In-guk had to play two roles, so we put a lot of thought into naturally distinguishing the charms of the two characters. Most of Kyung-nam's scenes were shot in winter, while Young-il's were set in summer and filmed overseas. To further differentiate the characters, we re-recorded Young-il's lines after editing. Seo In-guk meticulously adjusted to the schedule, switching between Kyung-nam and Young-il. Thanks to his nuanced portrayal of Kyung-nam's feelings for Mi-rae, the character was brought to life in a multidimensional way.

Q. What message did you want to convey to viewers through 'Monthly Boyfriend'?

Director Kim Jung-sik: 'Monthly Boyfriend' features three characters who use the same service but make different choices. Mi-rae chooses real-world love, Yoon Song opts for virtual love, and Ji-yeon embraces both. Through these characters, I wanted to convey that there's no right way to love. Each person's circumstances and feelings can lead to different choices in love. I hope viewers of 'Monthly Boyfriend' reflect on what kind of love they would choose.

Writer Namgung Do-young: 'Monthly Boyfriend' starts with the unique concept of romance in virtual reality but ultimately tells the story of Mi-rae, an ordinary person overcoming loneliness and fear to find the courage to love. The final episode's title, 'Such an Ordinary Future,' is borrowed from a novel of the same name. It signifies that the protagonist, Seo Mi-rae, is an ordinary person, and it also expresses the hope that our future outside the drama will be as happy as Mi-rae's. I hope viewers find courage and solace in Mi-rae's growth.

Q. What are your favorite scenes and lines from 'Monthly Boyfriend'?

Director Kim Jung-sik: There's a scene where Mi-rae and Kyung-nam confirm their feelings for each other and kiss on a snowy day. It's a pivotal moment where the protagonist, who feared love, begins to embrace it, making it a significant scene in the work. We discussed it a lot with the actors and even reshot it on a very cold day, resulting in a better scene than the initial shoot, which I personally cherish.

Writer Namgung Do-young: Everything about Mi-rae and Se-jun's breakup scene feels so sad. The moment Mi-rae says goodbye with 'Live well' always moves me. Another favorite is when Kyung-nam tells Mi-rae, who feels awkward around him, 'I know I'm uncomfortable... but please don't show it so much. It makes me sad too.' It's touching to see a man put aside his pride and honestly express his feelings to the woman he likes. After writing that line, I grew even fonder of Kyung-nam.

Q. What are the key points to watch in 'Monthly Boyfriend,' and what message do you have for viewers?

Director Kim Jung-sik: 'Monthly Boyfriend' starts with the intriguing idea of 'subscribing to romance.' Watching how each character accepts and chooses love within the unique setting of a service offering a perfect boyfriend in virtual reality could be an interesting point. I hope viewers enjoy it with a light heart and reflect on 'What kind of love would I choose?' If you haven't watched 'Monthly Boyfriend' yet, I hope you enjoy it comfortably.

Writer Namgung Do-young: If you're looking for a delightful story to escape harsh reality, 'Monthly Boyfriend' is a great choice. It's a sweet and salty drama that's both humorous and touching. For those who have already watched it, finding clues to Kyung-nam's unrequited love on a rewatch could offer new enjoyment. Above all, I hope viewers have a great time watching 'Monthly Boyfriend.'

Meanwhile, 'Monthly Boyfriend' is streaming on Netflix.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr