HELLO! India Exclusive: BLACKPINK's Jisoo and Seo In-guk on romance in the age of AI

Romance has always evolved with the times. Letters gave way to phone calls, to late-night texts, to dating apps that promise compatibility through a swipe. Now, artificial intelligence is quietly stepping into the conversation; offering companionship that can be customised, optimised and, theoretically, perfected. Across the world, AI chat companions are already blurring the lines between technology and emotional connection. These virtual companions never forget anniversaries, never misread a message and never argue unless programmed to. In a world that increasingly values efficiency, even affection is beginning to feel...engineered.

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It is precisely this uneasy intersection between love and technology that the new Korean drama, Boyfriend on Demand, on Netflix explores. Starring Jisoo of BLACKPINK and Seo In-guk, the series imagines a near future where an app can generate the experience of having the “perfect boyfriend,” as part of escapism in the modern-era of dating. It’s a whimsical premise on the surface, but one that quietly asks a deeper question: if technology can simulate affection, what becomes of love itself? In an exclusive conversation with HELLO! India, the two stars spoke about the modern pursuit of the “ideal type,” the seductive ease of AI companionship, and why real relationships remain impossible to manufacture.

The fantasy of the ideal partner

The idea of an “ideal type” has long existed in the cultural imagination. It is shaped by the stories we consume: characters we admire, celebrities we idolise, the fictional romances that leave us momentarily believing in impossible love. Perhaps it was a favourite actor, a beloved K-drama hero, or that irresistible trope of the impossibly rich chaebol heir who falls unexpectedly in love. Who hasn’t, at some point, imagined stepping into a grand, cinematic love story? Boyfriend on Demand takes that fantasy and turns it into technology.

In the series, Jisoo’s character turns to an AI app that allows her to experience relationships with carefully curated versions of her “ideal type.” Through the app, she encounters striking partners played by actors including Lee Soo-hyuk, Seo Kang-joon, Lee Jae-wook, Lee Sang-yi, Jay Park, and Kim Young-dae, among others. Each one embodies a different romantic fantasy—the mysterious charmer, the dependable protector, the effortlessly cool heartthrob. For someone searching for their “perfect match,” the experience feels exhilarating at first. The AI listens. It adapts. It responds exactly as expected. But perfection, the show suggests, can quickly become monotonous. When every moment is scripted to please, there is little room for surprise.

When perfection becomes predictable

As the story unfolds, the interactions begin to lose their novelty. The AI partners feel attentive, but also strangely distant—like echoes of someone rather than someone themselves. The narrative reaches its emotional turning point with the character known as 901, the AI figure who seems most aligned with her emotional needs. Yet the revelation that follows is quietly profound. What draws her in is not the flawless digital persona, but the real person whose personality inspired the AI in the first place. The app could replicate mannerisms, words and gestures. But it could not recreate the intangible presence of a human being. 

The human unpredictability of attraction

When asked about their own idea of an ideal partner, Jisoo’s answer feels refreshingly untechnical. “I think I like someone who can make me laugh a lot. I have a rather unique sense of humour, so if someone can make me laugh, that in itself is a huge merit.” Humour, after all, rarely follows a formula. Seo In-guk sees relationships through a similarly human lens. “I don’t think about it too deeply, but I hope our personalities match well. Of course, there may be differences, but rather than seeing those differences as flaws, I hope we can have a positive mindset where we try to adjust and grow together.” His perspective reflects something technology struggles to replicate: the gradual, sometimes imperfect process of two people learning each other.

The quiet language of connection

Modern dating culture loves definitions—green flags, red flags, compatibility scores. But when Jisoo describes a genuine connection, the indicators feel far less analytical. “I think it’s when you’re talking and the conversation flows well, and your eyes meet often. Then you feel like, ‘Oh, there’s something good here.’” Seo In-guk believes those small moments often say the most. “I definitely think that’s true. If your eyes keep meeting, and even when you’re not talking you find yourselves looking at each other, then that’s 100 percent something.” 

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The one thing technology cannot replicate

Artificial intelligence can predict behaviour, generate responses and simulate empathy. It can even learn to mimic affection. But there are experiences that remain stubbornly human. The warmth of a hug that arrives exactly when you need it. The quiet comfort of someone walking beside you on a difficult day. The simple act of someone holding an umbrella over you when the rain starts unexpectedly. These gestures may appear ordinary, but the fact that no AI can ever replicate them makes it extraordinary. And perhaps that is the quiet truth behind Boyfriend on Demand.

In a world fascinated by technological shortcuts, love may be the one experience that refuses to be optimised. It is unpredictable, inconvenient, and often imperfect. Perhaps that is exactly why it endures.

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