>A Convience Store - A Lighthouse - a place that's lit 24x7 with an Fiesty, off-the wall part-timer and clumsy , handsome manager will show us an predicatable yet funny romance

People tend to read a lot of reviews and had a lot of judgement even before watching a show. But honestly this show is pretty good. Not to 10/10 kind of good but definitely deserve at least an 8/10.

First of all let's talk about the elephant in the room. I am not going to deny that this show is problematic. Even if we skip the fact that this 'family drama' is derived from a very ethically questionable adult webtoon and is bound to direct attention towards the source material, there are still many other things to frown upon.
[spoiler]
In the very first episode, the FL (a highschooler) kisses the ML (an adult and a stranger) without his permission, then goes on to be very handsy with him throughout the show despite knowing that he has a girlfriend, beats up people left and right and well, basically does a lot of what your typical drama 'bad boys' usually do. (It's inappropriate behavior regardless of the gender.)
[/spoiler]
Then, in a very ignorant fashion, for comedic purposes the drama introduces a supporting character (ML's best friend) that has angered the international community for culture appropriation and rightfully so. Korean dramas have never been known to handle sensitive topics 'sensitively' and should know to stay away from them which Backstreet Rookie clearly does not do. It helps that he has reduced screen-time as episodes progress and that the fast forward button comes in particularly handy for his scenes.

So if these things make you shy away from the drama then it's completely understandable and you should do you......

But now for those who were able to walk past the controversy: The thing is while being ignorant, the drama clearly is not malicious. It's pretty obvious that they are just trying way too hard to be funny and sometimes it strikes true and you're left in fits of laughter and other times it doesn't and the result is just embarrassing... Pardon me for being ignorant but I have laughed through all cultural appropriation and we need to take these with a pinch of salt not make a huge deal.

STORY
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Let's talk about story, simple yet entertaining. It gives you a great laugh time to time. It might not have a big WOW storyline but it was better than a normal story too. For those who think it is super boring, trust me, there are much more worse ones out there. But standing in an objective perspective, if you hardly know any of them or don't like the casts, you might not be able to watch to the end. Because I love the two main casts and I was waiting for the couple to get together so as long as there's a reason to watch then it's worth watching! The two main leads are pretty cute, and when both of them smiled together, the visuals just exploded hahaha! **I believe the kiss scenes were being cut because of the controvery**, that's a shame, as it felt there was no romance with MLs for most part and also why it felt [spoiler] JCW was loyal through out his relationship until the inevitable breakup [/spoiler] That's why I think this drama is basically just unlucky but it's not bad!


CAST
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For those who were saying that JCW doesn't shine in this show, it's pretty wrong. I personally think he doesn't have the need to receive cool hero roles like Healer, Baek Dong Soo or K2 in order to shine; which he really shows his good acting here as well, alongside with Kim Yoo Jung. I'm always very impressed how she captures a lot of details while acting, every expression of hers are telling a story, honestly one of the actress who presented very natural and good acting skills despite being young.

This role doesn't do anything for Ji Chang Wook as an actor. His character is not the typical male lead and not very attractive. He is a pushover, a 30 year old man who lives with his parents, doesn't have a lot of self respect, let's people run over him and despite his good looks, he doesn't do much in the beginning. However, soon you see his strong sense of justice, his love for his own family and the fact that he is literally an actual good human being and so you warm up to him.

Yoo-jung the prodigal child actress ( now a legal adult) is back after thyroid problems for 2yrs, she was perfect for this role a reckless girl infatuated with her childhood crush who uses her fists
[spoiler]
Soon we realize that the FL; a young girl who doesn't have it easy, who lost her father too early, who has been raising her sister alone is quite a lost child inside. She is aggressive at first in her pursuit for the ML (who is the only one who seemed to give a shit about her) but soon she becomes more mature and thoughtful. She is strong, stands up for herself and those she cares for and loves fiercely. After you get through the first episodes, she becomes an increasingly likable heroine and you can't help but root for her.
[/spoiler]

The interesting characters are the other ones:
- Fire Volcano a Rasta korean who draws webtoons and reveals himself to be a reliable friend, a cute lover and the son of a rich farmer.
- Cinderella, the friend of SB who admires Fire Volcano but doesn't know he is the guy she loathes.
These two are funny and their story is the cute and fun part of the drama. They live the real romance that never happens between DH And SB.
- The mother of DH: she is a great mother with the shortcomings of a mother who wants the best for her son.

Other characters are introduced but never developped properly:
- YJ is DH's gf and she cheats on him and they break up. Then she notices he is a nice guy. She spends the drama dithering about her feelings for DH and finally she flies abraod. A useless and annoying character on which the drama focuses for more than 10 episodes.
- JSJ the director of GS25 and love rival of DH for YJ, Eun Byul SB's sister, Puppy,.. at some point they just disappear and you never hear from them anymore.

CHOREOGRAPHY
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CRAZY CRAZY ...... The OST is stunning and the cringe comedic camera effects during action scenes also grow on you after a while.

VERDICT
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The best thing about it, is that even though it's very obviously in your face slapstick, the drama comes with these surprisingly heart warming and emotional moments that sneak up on you and hit you in the feels.

Overall, it's a light hearted romantic comedy, that doesn't take itself seriously.

So I'd say if you tried the show and couldn't get past the objectionable material, that's perfectly fine but if you are one those who want to watch this show and are hesitating just because of the negativity surrounding it, I suggest you give it a try and let the drama make its case first.

**You don't need your BRAIN to enjoy this ..just keep it in a freezer and binge this without second thoughts**