“Backstreet Rookie” is unforgettable because of its relatable characters, quirky humor, and memorable moments between the leads. The show captures the charm of everyday life in a fun, lighthearted way, with unforgettable comedic situations and touching moments that leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Backstreet Rookie Full Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Unforgettable Moments
If you are looking for something to watch for a pastime that is cute yet romantic and will also make you laugh out loud then the best choice will be none other than Backstreet Rookie. This one stands out as one of the most talked-about dramas for many reasons and we will explore the reasons here in our today’s article Backstreet Rookie full review.
Starring Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung as the main lead couple this drama brought romance, comedy, action and an unexpected controversy all together. Let’s take a deep dive into the detailed story.
The Storyline: A Mix of Comedy, Chaos, and Romance
The story starts with the first meeting of Choi Dae Hyun and Jung Saet Byeol when Dae Hyun is walking through a residential back alley right after being rejected by a girl. Saet Byeol was sitting there with her friends and saw him for the first time and fell in love with him because she found him cute and handsome but she asked him to buy a cigarette because she was a minor. Taking them some hopeless kids he teaches them some lessons of morality but Saet Byeol can not control herself and all of a sudden kisses him on his lips.
3 years later, they again meet as Saet Byeol comes to get a part-time job in Choi Dae Hyun’s convenience store. In the meantime, before they met again Dae Hyun used to work in a huge company but for some unknown reason he left his job and willingly became an owner of a convenience store. As he is a very handsome guy the high school girls always come to the store and take pictures with him and like this he also advertises for different products. Anyways, he now has a girlfriend and both are committed to each other but things go wrong when Saet Byeol who is now an adult starts to work in the store with Choi Dae Hyun.
Character Highlights: Strong Personalities That Steal the Show
All the characters of the drama literally are the strength of it. Every character is different from each other, like one is cold, one is kind, one is loving and the other is a troublemaker. So let’s get to know some of these crazy characters.
The Leads and Their Growth Arcs
As for the main lead characters we have Choi Dae Hyun played by the multi-talented actor Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung as Jung Saet Byeol. Both are totally different from each other but one thing is similar between them which is that both of them have a very good heart and are kind to everyone.
Choi Dae Hyun: The Clueless but Kind-hearted Manager
Ji Chang Wook played the role of Choi Dae Hyun as I said earlier, he is the manager of a store that is owned by his family. At the very beginning of the story we see his kindness as he saves a kitty without a second thought and soon he comes forward as a loser when he was dumped by a girl and kissed by a minor. He belongs to a middle-class family with a timid personality and has good comic timing, his plus point is his handsome face. He is kind and soft-spoken which makes him a typical nice guy but when his story unfolds we see a different Dae Hyun. There is no doubt that he is an absolute good man but we see his growth from a passive, struggling worker to a responsible and caring leader as his past story unfolds. Also his interaction with Saet Byeol is so heartwarming that you will be compelled to root for them.
Jung Saet Byeol: The Fearless and Fierce Part-Timer
The Young and beautiful actress Kim Yoo Jung played the role of Jung Saet Byeol. As I previously said both our leads are completely different in nature, while Dae Hyun is calm and handles every problem with patience, Saet Byeol is short-tempered and her actions speak before her mouth. She is afraid of nothing, she is a fearless young woman. She lives with her younger sister and has some supportive friends. But throughout the drama her character grows obviously by the influence of Dae Hyun and his family.
Supporting Cast: Adding Flavor and Fun
The love triangle is a must for every romantic Kdrama, right? In that matter backstreet Rookie is not exceptional. We have two love triangles here that add extra flavors to the story.
Yoo Yeon Joo (Han Sun Hwa): The Complicated Girlfriend
Yoo Yeon Joo belongs to a high-class family who is a sophisticated woman and maintains her royalty. She is the loving girlfriend of Dae Hyun. As I said, she always maintains her class but when it comes to love she does not give a second thought to dating a convenience store manager. She not only loves her boyfriend but also is possessive towards him. When Saet enters their story Yeon Joo becomes puzzled and her character becomes complicated. To some fans, she is a frustrating character but to me, I personally think she only loved her boyfriend dearly and did not want to share him with anyone.
Kang Ji-wook (Kim Min Kyu): The Sweet Second Lead
Kang Ji Wook is the sweetheart in this drama. At a young age he used to be a friend of Saet Byeol, but now is a celebrity. He has every quality of a classic second lead, I mean someone who silently loves the main character but never tells his feelings about them, is gentle, kind and obviously handsome. Though this character had a limited screen time he became one of the most loving and remembered characters to the viewers who gave them a classic second-lead syndrome.
The Quirky Convenience Store Crew
All the people who are related to the store, from Dae Hyun’s family and friends to Saet Byeol’s crazy friends and even the regular customer of the store delivers non-stop comic relief. The subplot of Saet Byeol and Dae Hyun’s friends’ love story is totally crazy and will make you laugh out loud.
Memorable Moments: Scenes That Stuck with Us
The drama Backstreet Rookie is a fine blending of emotion, comedy, love and so on. In a very simple word, we can say it makes the viewers experience an emotional roller coaster. Consisting of 16 episodes this show gives us some scenes where our emotions perfectly jerked and made them the unforgettable highlight to us, the viewers. Let me tell you about some of them.
The Hilarious First Meeting
I guess you remember I already mentioned this scene to you. When both of them met for the first time, Dae Hyun was upset and Saet Byeol asked him to buy cigarettes for her and her friends. So as obvious, he took her as a bad girl who doesn’t have any manners and education. But everything became even more chaotic when all of a sudden she flew to Choi Dae Hyun and kissed him on his lips. And with this opening scene the viewers kind of predict how their future relationship will go.
Saet Byeol’s Heroic Moments
Jung Saet Byeol is not like the typical heroines, she is more like a hero. She speaks with action and then talks and for that she is often misunderstood by people. Anyways, in this drama we see how both Dae Hyun and Saet Beyol complete each other, one is timid and the other is fearless. Her personality makes her different from others. We often see her taking stands for the weak which is so impressive. She is kind-hearted and bold, and she also has martial arts skills. Her martial arts movement actually looks thrilling which no doubt makes her more a hero than a vulnerable heroine.
The Sweet and Awkward Chemistry
When Saet Byeol came to Dae Hyun’s store as a part-timer he already had a beautiful girlfriend but Saet Byeol already had a crush on him so they obviously had some awkward moments. Dae Hyun was always too caring toward Saet Byeol because no doubt he was kind but he also had a soft corner for her which made their relationship even more awkward. Their sudden touch, late-night talk, and living under the same roof created an unusual atmosphere for them.
The Emotional Confrontations
We all know they are different from each other, right? But both of them had an emotional side too when they supported each other and became even more closer which also was a push to their romantic relationship with each other. Saet Byeol used to live with her sister who was an absolute troublemaker so Saet Byeol had to be the earning member for both of them. She struggled a lot to support her sister’s education so she had to drop out of school. Dae Hyun and her mother could feel her struggle and they tried to help her out, especially Dae Hyun. On the other side, Dae Hyun often had self-doubt and his own secret that was hurting him, at that time Saet Byeol gave him a shoulder and they became each other’s emotional shelter.
The Confession Scene We All Waited For
Trust me, if you start watching this drama and get this scene we will say “yes! That’s what I was waiting for!” Their relationship started with some misunderstanding and later they became each other’s most trusted person. Their journey faced some awkward moments, playfulness, sincerity and loyalty and finally they were sure about their feelings and confessed them to each other which made the viewers happily blush.
Controversies: Why the Drama Sparked Debate
Along with being fan favorite this drama evoked some controversies which sparked debate between the fans and the critics. 
One of the most talked about topics was the age gap between the lead stars. Even in the drama Saet Byeol was a minor when she fell in love with Dae Hyun and at that time he was an adult, so to some people it looked eye-sore and negative. Even though later when she came to work with Dae Hyun people couldn’t get out of the early part when being a minor she kissed an adult man.
Again when she permanently came to Dae Hyun’s life he was already committed to someone else but out of jealousy she took some action that broke the relationship of the lovers.
Then, according to some people, to keep the comedy on the show included some jokes that were inappropriate and some supporting characters were shown in a way that looked cheap and felt like negative stereotypes.
Well, there are some other criticisms too but to me, maybe some of the supporting characters made me uncomfortable but I think we should take entertainment like entertainment. I truly enjoyed the drama a lot. And as for the controversies I chose to take only the positive part and let the negativity go. Feel free to tell me if I was wrong.
OST and Sound Tracks
Excluding the instrumental and score parts this drama has a total of 7 vocal tracks, and trust me all of them are a must hear because they were one of the main ingredients that makes the drama connect itself with the fans. I will give you a short list of it.
Short List:
- Crazy by APRIL
- Something by Kang Daniel
- Treasure by Clode
- Love Ya by Kim Tae Woo
- See-Saw by Park Kyung & SeolA
- Sleepless Night by Rothy
- I’ll Miss You by Im Ji Soo
If you have time, then hear it all at once. I am sure you will definitely love it.
Well, in conclusion, I want to say, the drama Backstreet Rookie is not for everyone again it’s for everyone, it depends on how the viewers take it. This show comes forward with a unique blend of various characters, quirky humor, emotional ups and downs, laughter and so on which leaves a good impression on the viewers. The unexpected love story with an age gap may look unusual to some people but if you see them as Saet Byeol and Dae Hyun then I am sure that you will not be able to stop yourself from rooting for them. Despite some controversies, this drama has kickstarted something new in the land of Kdrama. So, if you are ready to watch it ignoring the negative criticism of Backstreet Rookie then go for it and experience something new. Happy Watching.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is "Backstreet Rookie" about?
“Backstreet Rookie” is a South Korean drama that tells the story of a convenience store manager, Choi Dae-Hyun, who hires a quirky, strong-willed young woman, Jung Saet-Byul. Their comedic and emotional journey revolves around their growing relationship, the challenges they face in managing the store, and their personal growth.
2. Is "Backstreet Rookie" worth watching?
Yes, “Backstreet Rookie” offers a mix of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of romantic comedies. The chemistry between the lead characters and the light-hearted story makes it a fun and easy series to binge, though some may find it predictable at times.
3. What are the strengths of "Backstreet Rookie"?
One of the strengths of the show is its charming cast, especially the lead performances. The show blends humor with moments of deeper emotional storytelling. The vibrant chemistry between the leads, along with the quirky supporting characters, makes it a pleasant watch. Additionally, the setting in a convenience store offers a fresh and relatable backdrop.
4. What are the weaknesses of "Backstreet Rookie"?
Some viewers feel the storyline is predictable, and the pacing can be slow at times. A few plot points might also seem a bit too exaggerated or unrealistic. Additionally, the romantic elements may not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for more intense drama.
5. Who are the main characters in "Backstreet Rookie"?
The main characters are Choi Dae-Hyun, played by Ji Chang-Wook, and Jung Saet-Byul, played by Kim You-Jung. Choi Dae-Hyun is a mild-mannered convenience store manager, while Jung Saet-Byul is a rebellious, independent young woman who brings excitement and chaos to his life.
6. Does "Backstreet Rookie" have a happy ending?
Yes, “Backstreet Rookie” concludes with a heartwarming ending that wraps up the main characters’ story arcs in a satisfying way. The final moments emphasize the growth of the characters, and while it maintains a light-hearted tone, it also touches on themes of personal development and love.
7. Is "Backstreet Rookie" suitable for all audiences?
“Backstreet Rookie” is generally family-friendly, but it does have some mature themes, such as romance and workplace dynamics, that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Parents should exercise discretion based on their child’s age and sensitivity to romantic or comedic content.