[HanCinema's News] "Backstreet Rookie" and "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" Contrast Radically Different Heroines

While leading men Ji Chang-wook and Kim Soo-hyun have garnered the most attention for their drama comebacks it is oddly ironic that both of their new dramas are actually centered around their leading ladies, with the major stars themselves filling the comparable role of straight men. So much of "Backstreet Rookie" is riding on Kim You-jung, just as much of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is riding on Seo Yea-ji- albeit in very different ways.

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In "Backstreet Rookie" Kim You-jung plays the highly aggressive, flirty, and younger new hire of the convenience store which Ji Chang-wook manages. As a comedy, "Backstreet Rookie" relies heavily on Kim You-jung's comedic timing and appeal in order for the jokes to land. There's also a strong physical element, and the young actress who has long done child roles had to go to action school to accomodate for the slapstick.

But with "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" Seo Yea-ji has an entirely different kind of performance. Described literally in the Korean title as a psychopath, Seo Yea-ji is genuinely frightening. She traumatizes her leading man in flashbacks by tearing apart butterflies. In the present day she has fantasies of plucking him off the street as a giantess for some ominous fate. Seo Yea-ji's performance is deliberately unsettling- an odd fit for a drama's that's been billed as a romance.

While not in direct competition with each other "Backstreet Rookie" and "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" are showcasing widely different styles of television drama storytelling. Yet so far, these dramas have been offbeat in very different ways, appealing to very different fans with very different interests even as the most widely billed performer for each is known for having a strong fandom.

Written by William Schwartz

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"It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is directed by Park Shin-woo, written by Jo Yong, and features Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, Kang Ki-doong, Park Gyu-young, Kim Chang-wan. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/06/20~Now airing, Sat, Sun on tvN.

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"Backstreet Rookie" is directed by Lee Myeong-woo, written by Son Geun-joo, and features Ji Chang-wook, Kim You-jung, Han Sunhwa, Do Sang-woo, Ahn Solbin, Kim Sun-young. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/06/19~Now airing, Fri, Sat 22:00 on SBS.