“Backstreet Rookie” Episode 1 Recap

I had to wait for my rest days this week to officially add Backstreet Rookie to my watch list.

Eagerly-awaited owing to its love pairing featuring Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung, expectations are soaring high for this new romantic comedy.

And why not? Its premiere episode delivered a free-spirited tale that viewers will surely be fond of.

Light and an easy watch so far, prepare to bask in romance with comic hints in this latest SBS series.

Episode Recaps:  01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | Mid-Series | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Finale Week Feature | REVIEW

Episode 1: Wanted: Part-Timer To Help The Weary Convenience Store Manager

Running a convenience store is no walk in the park for Choi Dae Hyun (Ji Chang Wook). Long hours, endless tasks—and yes, even using his good looks to reel in high schoolers as regulars—leave him drained and disheveled more often than not.

Just when he thinks things can’t get any weirder, in walks Jung Saet Byul (Kim Yoo Jung), a headstrong beauty with a magnetic charm and a wild streak to match. She’s determined to work at his store, but Dae Hyun can’t shake the feeling that trouble is written all over her. And for good reason—this isn’t their first encounter.

Flashback: Three Years Ago…

On his way to meet his girlfriend, Dae Hyun spots a helpless kitten stuck in a manhole. Being the soft-hearted guy he is, he springs into action and rescues it—only to be dumped moments later by his girlfriend, who didn’t appreciate his tardiness, even if it was for a furry life.

Heartbroken and slightly tipsy in the afternoon sun, Dae Hyun trudges home, clutching a giant stuffed toy and wilted flowers. That’s when fate throws three schoolgirls in his path, asking him to buy cigarettes. Instead of scolding them, he plays it cool. He returns with what they think are smokes—but instead, it’s candy. Cue the stunned silence.

He lectures them gently but firmly, urging them to grow up first before picking up adult habits. Unused to that kind of sincerity, one of the girls—Saet Byul—calls after him. Then, out of nowhere, she strides up and kisses him on the lips. Bold, unapologetic, and beaming, she explains: “You’re the first adult who ever told me to stop.”

Now, three years later, Saet Byul is back, older, just as bold, and ready to shake up Dae Hyun’s world once more—this time behind the counter.

Back in the present, Choi Dae Hyun is running on fumes—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In a bid to save what’s left of his sanity, he decides it’s finally time to hire a part-timer. What he doesn’t expect? A blast from the past—Jung Saet Byul, the bold high schooler who once kissed him out of nowhere, is now all grown up and applying for the job.

During the interview, Dae Hyun struggles to stay awake, his eyelids heavy from fatigue. Saet Byul, ever attentive, offers him a calming drink. “Calming” might be an understatement—he wakes up from the best nap he’s had in ages… to a bustling convenience store packed with happy customers, all being served effortlessly by his new part-timer.

Watching her charm the customers and manage the store like a pro, Dae Hyun doesn’t even bother playing boss. He accepts the universe’s decision and hands her the official task list.

But peace is short-lived. When money goes missing from the register and some goods seem displaced, Dae Hyun jumps to conclusions, suspecting Saet Byul of theft. Turns out, the real culprit was his own mom (who had borrowed the cash), and Saet Byul was merely tidying the cigarette display. Her disappointment only deepens when Dae Hyun sheepishly tells her, “You should’ve just told me.”

Fearing she’ll quit, Dae Hyun vents to his friend Dal Shik, a slightly eccentric erotic webtoon artist. And just as he’s caught mid-rant, Saet Byul walks in. Realizing he needs to do damage control, Dae Hyun tries to help her out with store chores. But the moment he’s handed yet another task, he snaps, once again pointing fingers at her for making him suspicious in the first place.

Fed up, Saet Byul demands an apology on two very specific conditions that clearly border on revenge disguised as negotiation. Dae Hyun, cornered and regretful, agrees.

Later, Dae Hyun is in high spirits, excited for a date with his girlfriend. But Saet Byul, picking up the scent of his cologne, senses something’s up. Her face falls when he confirms his evening plans. Still, she keeps her cool and fires back with a cheeky smile: “Be sure to apologize to your girlfriend. I might be too beautiful for your relationship to survive.”

Meanwhile, Dae Hyun’s romantic night turns out to be anything but. Instead of candlelit dinner, his girlfriend drags him to a gym for a couples’ workout. Mid-squat, he gets a call from Dal Shik: Saet Byul and her friends are having a drink-fueled hangout right in front of the store.

He races over, only to be hit with déjà vu—standing once again in front of the same trio of troublemakers from three years ago, realizing that Saet Byul never truly left his story. In fact, it might just be getting started.

Backstreet Rookie Opening Week Highlights and Musings

On-Screen Chemistry That Pops

The sparks between Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung in Backstreet Rookie are undeniable. With crackling banter and irresistible tension, their dynamic lights up the screen—making this rom-com a delightful ride for fans rooting for an unexpected romance to bloom between the rule-following store manager and his bold part-timer. It’s the kind of slow-burn chemistry that keeps viewers grinning from ear to ear.

Jung Saet Byul: The Unstoppable Part-Timer

Kim Yoo Jung is absolutely nailing it as Jung Saet Byul. With her unapologetic charm and confident flair, she’s well on her way to becoming a favorite among K-drama fans—especially those who frequent feel-good series with strong, quirky female leads. Her natural ease around the ever-straightlaced Dae Hyun adds both tension and fun, especially when her self-assurance sends him spiraling into comedic panic.

But there’s more to Saet Byul than her spunky attitude. The show hints at deeper layers and a past worth unpacking—one that explains her mischievous streak and seemingly carefree bravado. And once those layers start peeling back, viewers are in for even more reasons to root for her.

Thank goodness I stumbled upon Backstreet Rookie on iQIYI—watching it elsewhere was a struggle, but this platform made it smooth sailing. Episode 1 sets the tone perfectly, introducing all the key characters who are clearly set to stir up the story in fun and unpredictable ways. With its light and breezy vibe, it feels like we’re in for a conflict-free ride—or at least nothing too angsty or exhausting.

What stands out immediately is how wordy the series is—but surprisingly, that’s a plus. The dialogue is sharp, quirky, and often hilarious. One particular highlight? Jung Saet Byul’s bold, self-love declarations give serious BTS energy. She’s a walking burst of confidence, and honestly, the life of the party. I can’t wait to see more of her sass, sparkle, and unpredictability.

As for Ji Chang Wook, I’m just here waiting for all the heart-fluttering moments his character is bound to deliver. His portrayal of Choi Dae Hyun as a kind-hearted, self-sacrificing everyman is a nice contrast to Saet Byul’s take-no-prisoners, me-first attitude, which makes their constant bickering and chemistry all the more entertaining.

Backstreet Rookie slots into SBS’s Friday-Saturday primetime schedule, and based on this start, it’s poised to be an easygoing, feel-good watch with just the right mix of humor, heart, and slow-burn romance.

Watch it on iQIYI!

Photos: SBS | Screencaps from iQIYI

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