Backstreet Rookie (Korean: 편의점 샛별이) is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Ji Chang-wook, Kim You-jung, Han Sun-hwa, Do Sang-woo, Ahn Sol-bin, and Kim Min-kyu. It is based on the 2016–2017 webtoon She's Too Much for Me (Korean: 편의점 샛별이; lit. 'Convenience Store Saet-byul') written by Hwalhwasan (Active Volcano). It is the first Korean drama funded by the global channel Lifetime and produced by Taewon Entertainment. The series aired on SBS TV at 22:00 (KST) from June 19 to August 8, 2020, on Fridays and Saturdays for 16 episodes. It is available on iQIYI and on Rakuten Viki with subtitles in multiple languages globally.
Contents
Story
Prologue
After being dumped by his girlfriend, Dae-hyun is approached by high-school tough girl Saet-byul, who needs an adult to help her buy cigarettes, but she is rewarded with candy and a lecture instead. Thankful for his caring act, albeit somewhat sarcastically, she surprises him by kissing him. They go their separate ways and do not see each other for a while.
Three years later, Dae-hyun manages his family-owned convenience store but is repeatedly forced to work multiple shifts, depriving him of sleep, and he struggles to keep up with the store's daily operations due to fatigue. Although high school girls like to come in and take pictures with him, the store doesn't make a lot of money. In order to keep his business afloat, Dae-hyun's father urges him to hire a part-time employee to help him out with the store. With Saet-byul being the only applicant, Dae-hyun reluctantly agrees to hire her on a probationary basis.
Main story
Dae-hyun has been suffering due to his convenience store not making enough money and his unreliable family not helping enough. Burned out from overwork at the store, he agrees to hire a part-timer for the late-night shift. Saet-byul sees the ad, and she applies for the job to get close to him. Dae-hyun remembers Saet-byul as a delinquent and is prepared to reject her, but relents after she brings in more customers. Not fully accepting her, he makes it clear she's on probation until she proves herself.
While trying to make his business successful, Dae-hyun seeks to advance his relationship with Yeon-joo; there has been interference due to mistrust and insecurity. Yeon-joo comes from an affluent family, while Dae-hyun is just a store manager, and she is not prepared to introduce him to her family. Jo Seung-joon (Do Sang-woo) is a family friend to Yeon-joo and a co-worker at the company. He always desired Yeon-joo, but she resisted his advances for Dae-hyun. The stability of their relationship will be tested after Yeon-joo meets Saet-byul.
Yeon-joo has heard gossip about Dae-hyun hiring a beautiful part-timer, but isn't concerned until they meet. While out on a date with Dae-hyun, Yeon-joo offends some delinquents who intend to rob her until Saet-byul defeats them. After seeing her beauty and Saet-byul's affectionate gaze at Dae-hyun, Yeon-joo sees Saet-byul as a threat and wants her fired. However, Saet-byul's girlfriends defend her actions in saving Yeon-joo. Dae-hyun realizes Saet-byul is not a troublemaker; he convinces Yeon-joo to let the matter go. However, Yeon-joo's insecurities and misunderstandings between the two only intensify. Yeon-joo privately speaks to Saet-byul, asking her to leave to save their relationship. Saet-byul complies and tells Dae-hyun she's leaving for better financial opportunities.
At the most inconvenient time, Saet-byul and Eun-byul became homeless due to a real estate scam. It is also around this time that Eun-byul has the chance to become a pop star. Desperate to realize her dreams, she takes all of Saet-byul's money to pay for a fake parent to weasel her way into the talent agency, leaving Saet-byul penniless. She bumps into Dae-hyun's mom, who invites Saet-byul to stay with them. When Saet-byul realizes something was happening between Yeon-joo and Seung-joon, she warns Yeon-joo that she'll compete for Dae-hyun if she doesn't realize his value. Yeon-joo wants to repair things with Dae-hyun, but it goes south after she learns Saet-byul is staying in Dae-hyun's home. With Yeon-joo's mom shaming Dae-hyun's family for their poverty and lack of trust in their relationship, Yeon-joo breaks up with Dae-hyun.
Cast
Main
Ji Chang-wook as Choi Dae-hyun
A 29-year-old convenience store manager with a tall and hunky appearance that makes every woman turn around. He is a little bit clumsy and weird despite his cold appearance. He is kind and sympathizes with others and gets too immersed in someone else's situation. His customers mostly are school fangirls who left him once Yeon-joo accidentally called him once.
Kim You-jung as Jung Saet-byul
The owner of a four-dimensional character, yet refreshing beauty. Even though she has amazing athletic ability and great fighting skills, she is a 22-year-old young woman who loves flowers, her friends and enjoys retro-sensational songs and fashion.
Han Sun-hwa as Yoo Yeon-joo
Dae-hyun's girlfriend and former boss, also a convenience store headquarter's Public Relations team leader. A 31-year-old career woman with intelligence, beauty and abilities. She is the daughter of the second-largest shareholder of the convenience store head office, but has been admitted with skill and has been promoted with clear results.
Do Sang-woo as Jo Seung-joon
The son of the convenience store's owner and currently the convenience store's head office director. He has been properly educated since childhood. He is the next leader of the company.
Ahn Sol-bin as Jung Eun-byul
19 years old, Saet-byul's younger sister. A beautiful high school girl who harbors the dream of becoming an artist.
Kim Min-kyu as Kang Ji-uk
"Puppy". 22-year-old actor and rising star. Saet-byul's elementary school friend. He became an instant celebrity when he single-handedly stopped a robbery in a convenience store while working as a part-timer. Thanks to his handsome appearance, he is a next-generation national star who captures the hearts of many with politeness and sincerity.
Supporting
Kim Sun-young as Gong Boon-hee
58 years old, Dae-hyun's mother.
Lee Byung-joon as Choi Yong-pil
58 years old, Dae-hyun's father, and previously 4 Heavenly Kings band's singer.
Eum Moon-suk as Han Dal-shik
29 years old, Dae-hyun's close friend, a webtoon writer.
Kim Ji-hyun as Choi Dae-soon
38 years old, Dae-hyun's older sister.
Seo Ye-hwa as Hwang Geum-bi
22 years old, Saet-byul's close friend.
Yoon Soo as Cha Eun-jo
22 years old, Saet-byul's close friend.
Woo Hyun as Kwon Eui-choo
58 years old, the former guitarist of the band 4 Heavenly Kings, and owns a restaurant in Busan.
Lee Yoon-hee as Cha Ki-bok
58 years old, the former keyboardist of the band 4 Heavenly Kings.
Bae Gi-bum as Go Kwang-tae
58 years old, the former drummer of the band 4 Heavenly Kings.
Kyeon Mi-ri as Kim Hye-ja
60 years old, Yeon-joo's mother.
Special appearances
Park Jin-joo as a high school student
A gang leader who unsuccessfully tries to recruit Saet-byul into her group.
Jung Eun-ji as Jung-eun
Dae-hyun's ex-girlfriend.
Ko Kyu-pil as Oh Yo-han
A YouTuber who broadcasts from the convenience store where he works.
Lee Yu-bi as a customer
Lee Jun-young as a customer
A minor who tries to buy cigarettes.
Jung Joon-ho as himself
A customer.
Ryu Seung-soo as Jung Chul-min
Saet-byul and Eun-byul's father.
Kim Se-yong as a chicken shop employee
Ahn Chang-hwan as Song-sac
A convenience store part-time work interviewee.
Tak Jae-hoon as adult webtoon PD
Kim Hyung-mook as Dae-soon's husband
Park Chul-min as a tarot reader
Yeom Hae-in as a Mega Hit trainee
Trainee of the same debut group as Eun-byul.
Production
The first script-reading was held in February 2020. The series is directed by Myoungwoo Lee of hit series The Fiery Priest (2019).
The main cast (Ji Chang-wook, Kim You-jung, Han Sun-hwa and Do Sang-woo) appeared on the 507th episode of the variety show Running Man to promote the series.
Original soundtrack
Singles from the soundtrack of the series were released from June 19 to July 25, 2020, under the record label of Dreamus and MOSTCONTENTS:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Reception
Criticism
The show has faced heavy criticism for sexually suggestive scenes as well as characters depicting objectionable scenes. The show has also been accused of plagiarism.
The Korea Communications Standards Commission issued a warning to the show for airing provocative and inappropriate scenes. The KCSC noted that "in the process of producing an R-rated webtoon into a TV series with a rating of 15 years old and older, the drama production team has shown that it lacks consideration in portraying different genders and produced content that can cause viewers discomfort and aversion". The KCSC has received over 7,000 complaints about inappropriate scenes in the show.
