Kdrama Review: Backstreet Rookie

Seeing Ji Chang-wook and Kim Yoo-jung in one kdrama is one thing I didn't coming especially for this year 2020. But after thinking about it, the story of Backstreet Rookie seems interesting plus them being the actors of this drama so I decided to watch it just after the series has been completed.

I was able to watch it in the iQIYI app. I availed the first month trial since you have to subscribe to the app in order to watch the last three episodes. This will just be a short review.

Title: Backstreet Rookie

First episode date: 19 June 2020

Final episode date: 8 August 2020

Number of episodes: 16

Based on: Convenience Store Saet-byul; by Hwalhwasan and Geumsagong

Genres: Romantic comedy, Slice of life

** SPOILER AHEAD **

SYNOPSIS

Choi Dae-hyun (Ji Chang-wook) runs into a group of female high school students, including Jung Saet-byul (Kim Yoo-jung), who look like troublemakers. Saet-byul asks Dae-hyun to buy them cigarettes from a convenience store, but he buys them candy instead and gives Saet-byul his number. She never calls him.

Three years later, Dae-hyun runs a small convenience store after resigning. While looking for a part-time worker to work the night shift at his convenience store, Saet-byul applies for the job and starts working there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstreet_Rookie

REVIEW

I have a mixed feelings about Backstreet Rookie. I thought it is an ordinary love story kdrama but it is actually not. Yep, it's not the lovey dovey type. It has exaggerated scenes especially the fighting scenes. Because of course, this is based from a webtoon drama. It is 90% slice of life & 10% romance. Real talk. Haha! 

The first few episodes will make you hooked because it will reveal each characters and how they will revolve around the convenience store.

It's always a good friendship with a trio! These two did so much for Saet-byul especially Hwang Geum-Bi (on the left).

I fell love Saet-byul's character per episode. She is a strong, independent woman, and she went though a lot. She actually carried the whole series for me. I almost cried on some of her scenes. Kim Yoo-jung did a great job in portraying her character. She didn't disappoint. It is also perfect on her because she's young yet fierce. 

Dae-hyun's character, on the other hand, is kinda annoying for me and he's so fool for love. Haha! Which I hate. Haha! Sorry, but this is just my opinion. He got passion for his business which is the convenient store but there's something with him. He's kinda dependent to the other characters which makes him vulnerable. I was waiting for his character to improve until the ending but it's still not enough. Maybe I am just used to strong male characters. 

As a couple, they are just okay for me. They're too cute together that's why I see them more as siblings rather than a couple! Haha. 

The supporting characters did a great job. Well actually, all of them. The cinematography is also good. It's just the story that I am not used to with Korean dramas. I usually see this kind of stories on anime.

Overall, it is still a good drama. I'd rate this 7.5/10. If you're into romance, maybe you will not like this much. But if you're into slice of life, comedy and family stories, then you will enjoy this one. Expect the romance to be less so you won't get disappointed. 

How about you? Have you watched Backstreet Rookie? Or are you planning to watch it?