The series is based on the 2016–2017 webtoon She's Too Much for Me (Convenience Store Saet-byul), written by Hwalhwasan (Active Volcano).

Backstreet Rookie was the first Korean drama funded by the global channel Lifetime, and it was produced by Taewon Entertainment.

The first script-reading for the series was held in February 2020.

The series was directed by Myoungwoo Lee, who had previously directed the hit series The Fiery Priest (2019); several actors from that show, including Eum Moon-suk, Ji Chan, Heo Jae-ho, Ko Kyu-pil and Kim Hyung-mook, reunited for Backstreet Rookie just two months later.

The main cast members Ji Chang-wook, Kim You-jung, Han Sun-hwa, and Do Sang-woo appeared on the 507th episode of the variety show Running Man to promote the series.

The story ends with Dae-hyun's friend, a webtoon writer, declaring he will turn their story into a webcomic called Backstreet Rookie, mirroring the show's own origin as a webtoon adaptation.

The show faced heavy criticism for sexually suggestive scenes and was accused of plagiarism; the Korea Communications Standards Commission issued a warning after receiving over 7,000 complaints about inappropriate content, noting the production lacked consideration in adapting an R-rated webtoon into a series rated for viewers 15 and older.

Kim You-jung won the Actress Excellence Award in a Miniseries at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for her role as Jung Saet-byul.