BLACKPINK Jisoo’s New K-drama Features Beaches in Cebu

Is Korea trying to win over Filipinos' hearts again after the "SEAblings" mess? While the online world is still reeling from the recent #SEAblings vs. K-netz feud, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo is out here acting like an unofficial Cebu tourism ambassador. Her new Netflix drama, Boyfriend on Demand, features so many local spots that it feels less like a series and more like a peace offering for Filipino fans.

The show kicks off with a dream sequence where Jisoo’s character, Soo Mirae, imagines her "best summer" on a white sand beach. In a move that feels very targeted, the "Love the Philippines" tourism slogan is visible right behind her. Following this, the Department of Tourism confirmed that the production actually took over Shangri-La Mactan to film these scenes, giving our local shoreline some serious global screen time.

As the episodes continue, the Cebu cameos only get more obvious for eagle-eyed viewers. By the second episode, the sleek interiors of the NUSTAR Hotel are on full display for everyone to see. Moving into episode six, the cast stays at the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, which has already shared the receipts on social media to confirm the sightings were real.

Also read: Island Hopping Adventures You Must Try in Cebu

^{Image credit: The Oppa is Life | X}

Aside from the fancy hotels, the production team also included some very grounded details that any Filipino would recognize at a grocery store. In one specific scene, Seo In-guk’s character is seen drinking a popular brand of local Pinoy rum. These sightings finally explain why Jisoo was spotted hiding out in the province in February last year, right before she returned for her "Lights Love Action" fan tour in Manila.

Cebu tourist spots in Boyfriend on Demand

^{Image credit: Department of Tourism Central Visayas Office}

If you are planning to watch the series on Netflix, you can easily visit these locations for your next holiday. Shangri-La Mactan serves as the primary setting for the summer dream sequence in the first episode, making it a top pick for fans. Furthermore, the NUSTAR Hotel appears in various luxury scenes during the second episode, while the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort provides the main tropical backdrop for episode six. To top it off, fans spotted a famous local spirit that Seo In-guk’s character drinks in a separate scene, which really grounds the high-budget drama in everyday Filipino life.

Also a read: Cebu’s Moalboal is finalist at Philippine Tourism Awards 2025

^{Image credit: Department of Tourism Central Visayas Office}

Seeing these locations on a global platform like Netflix is a massive boost for local travel, but it is also a practical guide for your next long weekend. Since all these spots are centered in Cebu, you can actually visit the hotels where Jisoo filmed or see the same sights for yourself without much trouble. It is a clever way to keep the Philippines relevant to international audiences, even if the timing feels like a strategic move to smooth things over with the "SEAblings."