Actual "Backstreet Rookie" Convenience Store in Regular Operation
In "Backstreet Rookie," Ji Chang Wook is a convenience store owner, and Kim Yoo Jung works as a part-timer. But in real life, the store actually exists and handles all the cast members' necessary preparations.
In character as Choi Dae Hyun, the convenience store owner, he has a problematic love life. Then came his part-timer, Jung Saet Byul, and their lives will be changed forever.
The story revolves around Dae Hyun, who resigned from his corporate job and opened a convenience store near his house. In his quest to make it successful, he takes care of the sales, manning, and inventory. Though his family helps him watch the store for him, it takes more trouble. His father always asks for money while his sister gets items to bring to her family.
Dae Hyun's mother is busy selling insurance packages, which she seldom helps her son with. She then encouraged Dae Hyun to hire a part-timer for the night shift.
Saet Byul met Dae Hyun when she was still young, and the second time was when she was in middle school. It seems they always cross paths, but only she remembers him. She became an orphan and took care of her younger sister. She applied and was accepted as Dae Hyun's part-timer as she showed excellent customer service.
The whole film location and day-to-day life of Ji Chang Wook revolve around the GS25 convenience store. The site is an existing branch in Jongno Sinsung branch owned and operated by GS Retail. The said brand aims to improve its name in the market in natural exposure by co-producing "Backstreet Rookie."
During the onset of filming the lead cast, Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung visited GS Retail's headquarters. They received the same education and practice as GS25's store managers. They undergo training to work as product screening, ordering, and customer reception.
According to GS25 Retail, they expect that it will help improve its brand image with realistic episodes. Some scenes may occur at the convenience store and natural exposure to GS25's various self-branded (private label) products.
As of November 2019, the company has 13,899 branches all over South Korea, although they have competitors like 7-Eleven, which also has branches around South Korea.
In a lot of Korean drama, viewers often witness actors in a convenience store. Reportedly, many South Koreans eat or buy items in the convenience store, which results in outperforming supermarkets.
It has been the staple of an increase in single-person households, the simple meal market like a triangular kimbap, quick-easy ramen, and popular Korean snacks.
The show lets the viewers see that it is not easy working and managing a business on your own needs to get trusted staff and practice a good working relationship.
In the ongoing pandemic, going to a convenience store is easier to buy and go without getting into crowded malls.
