Backstreet Rookie review

 

Drama name: Backstreet Rookie 
Country: South Korea
Year: June- Aug 2020

I jumped into this drama around Episode 7 or 8 while it was airing on my local cable TV. Didn't backtrack to watch the earlier episodes until much later... Though I completed the drama not long after it finished airing. 

So, what's this drama about?

Choi Dae Hyun is a thirty something year old man who runs a franchise convenience store nearby his home. It is his dream of operating such a store after working for the parent company as a sales manager for a couple of years. 

However, running the 24-hour store by himself has taken a toll on him and his family asked him to hire a part-timer. Dae Hyun was reluctant at first because the store was not making any money and he couldn't pay the wages. Eventually he caved in and posted a vacancy sign on the store's main door. 

Enters Jung Saet Byul, a high school drop-out who applied for the position. Dae Hyun hires her only to realise she was one of the high school girls from three years ago, which asked him to buy cigarettes for them as they were under-aged at that time. His impression of Saet Byul was not a good one from the start, and the rest of the story goes on with how Dae Hyun and Saet Byul's relationship grew from one of distrust to a one filled with love. 

Overall thoughts

This drama is along the likes of "What's wrong with Secretary Kim?" (Which should be entitled, "How Secretary Kim got married" instead) and Backstreet Rookie should have been called, "How Saet Byul got her man" (Sorry, not sorry) Yes, it's how a high schooler's crush became a reality and she managed to nab her dream man's heart in the end. 

I am aware that this show is based off an adult webtoon and the story line contains sexual content... (read some online comments) However, I'm giving this review solely based on watching the drama as with most of the audience that have not read the webtoon. 

Best parts of the drama

The convenience store itself... I know we have seen countless k-dramas with the 24-hour store where the leads will eat ramyeon or buy beer... :D It's nice to see it as the setting of the whole drama for once. (I'm also guessing because of Covid-19 restrictions so it's a perfect place to film rather than going to various locations for shooting) 

Ji Chang Wook visuals... Yes, I know... you ladies out there are watching for this handsome individual! XD He does not disappoint of course. Even wearing a convenience store outfit he still looks good! 

Lots of ramyeon eating in this show... Haha! Yes, alongside with other food as well. I wonder how much did the cast consume while filming... 

Comedic scenes and the second leads pairing... I know, there was a big controversy regarding the second lead's character portrayal... However, the pair's relationship was far better than the main leads. I actually continued the episodes just to watch this couple instead... 

Notable scenes

The creepiest stalker smile which I have ever seen!! I'm not kidding. The flashback scene where Saet Byul spies Dae Hyun in the convenience store while walking in the rain with the umbrella. Seriously... what was the writer thinking?! 

I know that girl has been crushing on him for years... but really... do you stalk your crush with a creepy smile? Hahahaha.... I'm sorry, I cannot. 

Besides that, I do admire Saet Byul's fighting ability in the show, at least a female lead that can fight so badass! Nice. 

Conclusion

As you already know by now it is a good ending... but as usual k-drama style, right before the main leads get together forever there will be a separation. This part irritated me a lot... When Dae Hyun finally recognises his feelings for her, Saet Byul plays runaway. And she runs to the countryside and works on a farm. 

Honestly, in real life a pretty girl like her will be r*ped or maybe kidnapped already because she is so pretty. Not implying that countryside or farms are dangerous or bad, just in society and real life it does happen. But in a k-drama it is all safe and the farm belongs to the second lead's father... Hero comes to persuade her to come back to his store and work. Saet Byul saves the hero from some bad guys on the farm but refuses to follow Dae Hyun back. She returns to the store some time later... 

The show ends with the couple about to kiss, but then they broke the fourth barrier... They looked at the camera and turns around to reveal the whole cast and crew in the back scenes. I get that the writer did this to prove that the show does not contain any of the sexual content as the webtoon has. Throughout the whole duration of the the show's airing, it was constantly getting criticisms that it was not family friendly and it was kinda like, "In your face" reply from the team. It was an interesting ending concept no doubt. 

The drama title gave me the impression that it could be some street guy who is street smart that champions justice maybe...but I was so wrong. :(  I was totally disappointed that the story had no story actually. For those who love romance, you won't be disappointed. There is a huge face on kiss in the first episode even... and there are countless scenes of romance between the leads. 

It was just an okay drama. Both male and female are handsome and pretty, so if you are a fan of either one you might still enjoy the drama. Thanks for stopping by. Will leave you with the second pair weaving in the webtoon name into the drama...