I don't know what compelled me to actually write a review, but looking at its high ratings, I thought I should add my two cents and tell you how I felt about this drama.

Lets start with the thing that's on both of our minds. Backstreet Rookie tried to be a lot of things at once, and that's where it all went downhill. Kdramas are usually bad at handling sensitive topics but I gotta say, this hit a new low. The team (producers/writers) should've been quick on their feet to alter what wasn't working. The fact that they just reduced the screen time of the problematic arc was what pissed me off the most. Like duh, even kindergarteners can do that much. I expect better from professionals who have worked in this field for years. So, I was majorly disappointed when nothing changed.

Ik some of y'all are gonna come at me say that they didn't mean any harm, but its not upto any of us to decide what hurts the sentiments of the people of that culture. Misrepresentation does much more harm than no representation.

If a person from that culture thinks its inappropriate or hurtful, who are we to tell them it isn't? It's as simple as that.

Setting this aside, this drama was kinda a train wreck, yet for reasons unknown, I couldn't drop it. It could be Ji Chang Wook's dreamy looks, or the utter cuteness that is Kim Yoo Jung, or their chemistry, or the fact that there was soooo much RAMYEON, I just couldn't stop! But I gotta warn you, my standards are really low. So, don't hold this in high regard, I completed "Forest" (which has to be one of the most pointless kdramas ever) bc I have the inability to drop any series.

The leads had an ADORABLE chemistry which kept me coming back for more. There were some points where the drama was funny. It was a given bc the drama tried really hard to be funny, sometimes to the point it became cringe worthy and uncomfortable.

The story was really loose and it felt like they did not try to develop it at all. Its the same bs fed to us all over again. The story had so much potential, but they turned it into yet another kdrama cliché... I can't! I have so many complaints, but I'm aware that this was an adaptation of webtoon, so I am just gonna leave it here.

What I actually liked was Saet Byul's character development. I loved the fact that our FL was so tenacious. Losing so much at an young age would be been devastating, but she pulled through with her optimism. She loved so much and so deep, and her love was what made her stronger.

And their chemistry, did I talk about that enough or should I keep going? It was soooo cute!

I didn't like how they ended the drama either, there were too many loose ends and it felt wayyy too rushed. Some characters didn't even get a closing, and it was very disappointing. I don't like what they did to Yeon Joo either. She had the potential to become so much more, but they just made her yet another rich, entitled, bitchy ex-girlfriend. I hate that her relationship with Seung Joon (her childhood friend/boss) wasn't explored either. There was something good brewing there.

Except for the Dae Hyun's mom and Yeon Joo, the other side characters aren't worth remembering tbh.

The music is pretty good, especially in the latter half. I would add at least 1 song to my playlist from this OST.

I am pretty sure I will not be rewatching this, bc this is a one time watch, at best. Watch this drama as filler drama, or if you are a fan of Ji Chang Wook, or Kim Yoo Jung. The only good thing is the chemistry of the leads and a lot of pretty faces. Don't take this drama too seriously, once you start this, you'd know they didn't take it seriously either.

Hope this helped, thanks for reading!