Episode 5 of "Boyfriend on Demand" commences with Eun-ho and Mi-rae embarking on a delightful dinner together. She divulges that she's been diligent as a webtoon developer since their last rendezvous, and even receives a sudden disappearance of a makeshift business card, hinting at the potential to sell her story to him.
Mi-rae is enamored by the game's authenticity, convinced that she can truly be herself here. The boundary between reality and virtual reality blurs as Eun-ho now has access to her phone in the real world, enabling them to exchange calls and text messages, even after logging out.
Mi-rae's reliance on technology leads her to be late for work. Kyeong-nam confronts her about the idea of a completely original new submission to pore over, and they clash over the "silly plots" in the charts - a subtle dig at Song's stories. The atmosphere is frosty between them.
As they judge together, they end up on an awkward lunch date where Kyeong-nam interrogates her about her likes and dislikes. It's super awkward, and of course, we all know that Mi-rae is merely bide her time before seeing Eun-ho again. Her obsession with Eun-ho spills over at work too, where she begins to smile lovingly at her screen while sending messages back and forth. Kyeong-nam picks up on it but Mi-rae keeps her intentions a secret.
Mi-rae's growing feelings for her perfect boyfriend are only compounded by Ji-yeon showing up at her place, sobbing and lamenting over the mess she's caused. She feels like she's wasted so much time dating and after 30 guys, she's ready to leave it for a bit. In fact, all that time spent on dating makes Ji-yeon wonder if there's really a soulmate or someone out there for her. This gets Mi-rae thinking too, as she contemplates her time spent with Eun-ho and all the perfect dates they've had.
In the real world, the Webtoon group prepares for the upcoming Naemo team workshop. Mi-rae doesn't have much of a choice but to go ahead, given her Director's penchant for holding grudges and she needs to get back in his good books.
For three weeks, the Director has been giving Mi-rae the cold shoulder, both in and out of the workplace. This time, they're going on an overnight retreat, and Kyeong-nam decides to join them. There's no signal here, so messaging Eun-ho is out of the question, giving the group a chance to spend quality time with each other.
While together and under the influence of alcohol, Kyeong-nam tries to make small talk with Mi-rae. He brings up how he doesn't do well with soju and, in his drunken state, is more eccentric and weird than before. He stacks up the empty soju bottles in a row, neatly on the side, and even loses a bottle cap too.
After some impromptu karaoke, she winds up walking in on Eun-ju and Kyeong-nam sitting together outside talking. Mi-rae believes it's bordering on romance, but in the morning, as they head back, Eun-ju encourages Mi-rae to sit in the front. In fact, Kyeong-nam drives her back and questions their work together. He's concerned because her sales numbers have dropped and Director Hwang is a little worried as a result. Kyeong-nam is on his way to meet with Hwang about a new ad campaign he has. He's replacing Yun-song this time as the advertisers are worried.
Kyeong-nam also admits just before dropping Mi-rae off that he likes her. He actually tries to ask her out for a date, but she's so flustered and surprised that she can't reply. Mi-rae does play it over in her mind and believes he may just be messing with her, until she remembers that Eun-ju's encounter that night was far more brutal than she's let on. Kyeong-nam shot her down immediately, telling Eun-ju they have no chance of dating.
Mi-rae is scrambling and she's eventually confronted by Kyeong-nam who wants an answer. Mi-rae eventually tells him she has another guy (Eun-ho), and Kyeong-nam leaves her alone.
