Start-Up (2020)

Tale of dedication and determination

This show is absolute gem that i found after months of starting new k-dramas and then dropping them because i lost interest. I got attached to the characters within 10 minutes of the show. Mr. Han and the real nam-do-san were a treat to watch. No doubt strong cast and familiar faces did added plus points to the show. But the story was no ordinary one, it was for dreamers of a startup.
The journey of Samsan tech boys was full of ups and downs yet it gives hope to dreamers. Nam do san portrays a nerdy engineer with low self esteem yet he isn’t a quitter.. Even thou he wasn’t the guy from the letters but his feelings were genuine and he was persistent in pursuing them. Fortune does favours the brave as he didn’t backed out pursuing his feelings for Dalmi.
Mr Han started with nothing but build a name for himself with hard work. I was sad that he didn’t got the FL. His character didn’t got the love he deserved. That’s the only thing that made me sad otherwise I enjoyed the show.
Dalmi oh silly girl!! she was never in love with the guy in the letters, he was a mere distraction during the time her life was a mess. Hence after finding out who the real guy from the letter was, she never shows interest in Mr.han or shows concerns or even talks about his letters, it bothered me. She made a big deal about the guy from the letters yet when she finds out, Nothing! we get absolutely nothing from her. But I get that too as she was now interested in the real nam do san.
The crux is to follow your dreams and don’t give up. Aside from the messed up loved triangle, I loved everything about the show.

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A decent slice of life.

This drama is a good choice for those days when you don't want anything overly dramatic.

The plot is not dynamic. But this is not necessarily a bad thing; as it perfectly sets the background for the story to unfold.
It had the time and space to provide detailed insights on how start-ups are established and the difficulties they might face.
From that perspective, I found this drama to be very informative. You actually get to learn something from it.

There was an attempt to add a touch of mystery to the plot to make it more engaging, I guess. But ultimately, I felt like the writers desisted from it. (Much to my disappointment)

As for the characters, I wasn't focused on the main leads and their chemsitry. (They were just ok, if you ask)
The relationship between Han Ji Pyung and the grandmother is the one that gave me the warmest feelings.
Han Ji Pyung himself, is a very charming and charismatic character. Probably, my favorite one.
The other characters are all likable, and not very k-drama typical.

All in all, "Start-up" is a drama worth-seeing if only for its charachters and unusual topic.

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Lots of pretty adults with the emotional maturity of toddlers

Before I start I should say, my rating of this drama as a 5 is probably not entirely fair, but I’m so pissed off at the story that it was a struggle to even go as high as a 5. The entire plot and every character centers around petty asinine lies. Everyone lies in this drama, and certainly every single character lies to the FL. I guess when you live in a world where everyone lies, staying in a relationship filled with lies from minute one must seem normal. But it pissed me off a lot.

This could have been a great story about overcoming odds and striving to succeed despite every roadblock. Or idk, literally any other storyline that wasn’t about the lies someone told the FL every five minutes. This story probably should have gone with a strong FL approach and just abandoned the whole romance story arc. Instead it’s all like, yo these two dudes are mega liars but since they’re the only two dudes in the entire world, pick one. Mega gross.

I don’t even dislike lying and dishonesty as a concept, but what I can’t forgive is clumsy, trite, petty lies with legit zero cleverness. I btw also dislike dudes that sob like babies while staring at a scrunchy instead of respecting their chick enough to trust she didn’t….idk even know what….screw her mentor in the back seat? Like, can we please be reasonable you immature man child?

All that hate aside, there were some good comedy moments. That’s about all this drama has going for it. The actors did well, but that unfortunately is not near enough to redeem the garbage heap of a script.

Overall l, I wouldn’t watch it again and I wouldn’t recommend it. The dude on the scooter thing was hot though, so I guess there’s that.

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Worth watching

Short review just to say that people have been too strict judging this drama. If you are uncertain if watching it or not, let me say: give it a try.
There are lots of dramas which get REALLY boring in the second half of the show, but not this one. I really enjoyed watching every single episode, the directing is great and the plot is not that bad. Fresh, new and cool, i've never watched something like that. I wasn't interested in it at all when i first read the plot, but i decided to give it a shot because of the cast and thanks goodness i did it! This drama was a Easter egg for me.
Of course, the story had many flaws, maybe it's not realistic for many aspects but let me remind you we are watching a tv show not a documentary. The purpose is having a good time. And in my opinion the director is a true genius, keeping you stuck on the screen wanting to watch more and more.
I'm warning you that there is a quite big component of romance (said from someone that isn't a fan of love stories), but it's not that cheesy and the story goes on smoothly, mixing wisely the love side with the work and carieer one.
What i liked the most about this show are side characters. They were all interesting and well characterized and i always watched gladly their scenes. As for the leads, they could have been characterized a bit better, especially for Dalmi which loses consistence as you go on with episodes, but not in a catastrophic way.
My only true disappintment is the ending. It could have been way better and i expected more from the last minutes of the show. Nonetheless i'm really happy about this drama and i absolutely don't regret watching it. I really really had fun and i recommend it.
P.s. visuals, colors, acting, ost, and especially directing were all very on point.

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Follow your dream

Que drama bom!!! Acho que a um tempo atrás eu tinha muitas expectativas pra start up porque todo mundo falava que era deveria ter ficado com o menino bonzinho e eu era doida pra saber como era a história. Depois que conheci mais dos dramas, me apaixonei pela Suzy e depois pelo Joo Hyuk e esses dias tava matutando um drama legal pra ver e optei por Start up justamente por causa dos meus dois atores favoritos e sabia que não tinha erro. E não teve mesmo. O drama é muito gostoso de assistir, fiquei fissurada com o assunto que eles tratam, toda essa coisa da tecnologia me fascina muito apesar de eu não entender tanto, gosto de aprender e ver essa evolução então foi maravilhoso assistir e aprender alguna termos e como funciona toda a ideia desde da base até realmente tomar forma e que as vezes você tem que seguir por outro rumo pra dar certo e principalmente ter muita garra e foi o que nossa querida Dal Mi fez, ela foi muito persistente e conseguiu levantar sempre que algo acontecia e era tão animador ver isso, acho que ela é o tipo de personagem que nos dá força sabe? E gostei tanto da Suzy interpretando ela. E óbvio que o romance dela com o Do San foi fofo demais, eu amei desde o início, acho que começou genuinamente e pra mim ela com o Jin Pieyong era só amizade, eles podiam ter tido algo por causa das cartas, uma conexão e uma forma de aliviar as dificuldades mas eles nunca se encontraram pessoalmente e com o tempo não acho que ela tenha se agarrado tanto a pessoa mas sim as cartas e daí acabou gostando do Do San do jeito que ele era. Não entendo de verdade quem shippa errado (apesar que eu shippo errado em outros dramas e tá tudo bem também ?) mas faz sentido pra mim meu Do San mesmo, fofos. Sobre a tecnologia ajudar pessoas, a avó dela inclusa me deixou muito emocionada e a gente sabe o tanto que a tecnologia pode mudar pra melhor o mundo mas infelizmente nessa sociedade capitalista e no país que eu vivo não temos essa visão. Gostei dela fazer as pazes com a irmã porque me incomodou desde o começo o fato delas brigarem sabe? Quando antes eram extremamente unidas e a lição que o pai delas deixou foi o que fez as duas crescerem mesmo que de diferentes maneiras mas pra fazerem o melhor juntas no futuro. O chul San e o yong San completaram esse drama, morria de rir com eles e essa amizade que era simplesmente tudo pra mim, o sonhos que cresceu com eles e se expandiu e o romance do Chul San com a Sa Ha, muito fofinhos.
Um drama que me surpreendeu bastante e isso me deixou feliz, gostei muito.
Follow your dream! ?

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Exciting to watch, but I would love to see a better story line

This show was very popular and got high ratings, possibly because of the good-looking actors/actresses and the story of young millenials trying their luck to achieve in this cruel, harsh world. It is all about following your dream, with all its ups and downs, the struggles and obstacles you have to pass through. The story line was so intriguing until you reached episode 6, then everything went down. Still interesting to watch, but at the end this was more about a love triangle instead of how you struggle to establish a start-up (compared to Itaewon Class - which I watched after this one- which showed more substance on the struggles of doing your own business).

I remember there was a competition in social media between the "Do-San Team" versus "Ji-Pyeong Team". Both teams were strong in sending messages through twitter, instagram, facebook, but still many could predict that the main lead, Do-San, would win the heart of Seo Dalmi, the female lead. Interestingly, I didn't like her character. The cute, young woman who basically had little to offer but aspired to become a CEO (which she did get). Then all you see in this self-centered character who can only think about competing with her sister, but when things didn't seem to go her way, she teamed up with big sister.

She cant even decide which guy would be the best one for her (well, this is a love triangle drama, so I understand why this had to happen), but she keeps on giving false hopes to BOTH guys. She was the one who broke up the relationship with Do-San, but then took the effort to travel miles away from Seoul to meet Do-san in his hiding place trying to reflect on his life. Was this because of love? No, it was because she needed Do-San to help her win her proposal. Ha-ha. And of course, our dear Do-san would say yes. Dal-mi also sort of already said no to Ji-Pyeong, and yet invited him to come over and spend the holiday at her grandma's house.

Big sister, In-Jae, who seemed like a cold, tough woman at the beginning actually shows more substance in the way she deals with things. Deep-down inside I really wanted her to team up with Ji-Pyeong, or even get romantically involved. She was much more mature than Dalmi, and I think In-Jae and Ji-Pyeoang would make a perfect match

Anyway, if there is one character whom I liked most, that was Halmeoni (grandmother). She may just play a supporting role in the story, but she actually touched the hearts of all main characters: Dalmi, Injae, Do-San and of course Ji-Pyeong whom she treated like her foster son in the early episodes.

I did watch the show until the end. I also did wait in anticipation every week for each episode, but I really wished the story was made better, perhaps with a twist. The ending was so predictable and so cliche: the main leads get married and live happily ever after, and the second lead would calmly accept the fact that he could not win her heart. Oh dear, I just hated that last scene watching them all walk together, as if nothing happened among them in the past.

Apart from the weak story line, the music was good, the cinematography was also visually pleasing.

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longest catfish episode I have ever watched

no thoughts just han ji-pyeong being the only person with brain cells.
The main characters were written terribly, initially, Seo Dal-mi was great then everything she did became about Nam Do San.
Their actions never had consequences and that got annoying very fast, I was not rooting for them, they kept doing things randomly hoping for the best.
I did not care about the love triangle or the love story in general, it was like watching two pieces of wood flirt with each other for 16 episodes.
The only two characters I really liked were Han Jipyeong and Won Injae, and they were the only reason I kept watching. I just wanna hug Han Jipyeong cause somebody has to and I volunteer. Also, for some reason he has great chemistry with random male characters so Han Jipyeong bisexual king.

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A drama that can grow on you

I agree with the majority of the viewers, that this drama could have been better in many ways. However, that doesn't mean this was overall a bad drama. Like almost everyone else, I had major second-lead syndrome until about episode 13.

I thought that it was both interesting and smart to start the drama with Han Ji Pyeong's background, making us think that he would be the male lead. (Even though I knew that was not the case because there were spoilers eveywhere on FB). That establishment made it clear to viewers that he would have a special role and connection to Seo Dal Mi.

The whole 15 years of writing letters back and forth was sweet but also paints Dal Mi as a major idealist; as she could not give other people a chance because she was so hung up on who "Nam Do San" despite never meeting him in real life. I appreciate her Grandma's intention of setting this whole letter thing up with Ji Pyeong because she was only trying to give her a friend. The only thing that bothered me about the whole process was that the Grandma never really considered how Ji Pyeong felt through it all.

There were so many times in the drama, when one of the characters wanted to tell Dal Mi the truth but decided not to because of another excuse. The part where Do San decided that he didn't want to tell Dal Mi the truth anymore because he wanted to live up to the "Nam Do San" that she knew from the letters was a low point in Do San's character, imo.

Another striking part that needed more conclusion / story to was Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong's relationship. She knew that he liked her but she didn't tell him clearly how she felt even throughout all those years when Do San. It felt like she was giving false hope to Ji Pyeong the whole time, but in doing so she knew he would be by her side whenever she needed. How could she not address the fact that he was truly her first love?? How could she just not properly talk to him about it after getting mad at him for lying? Even if she doesn't love him anymore, she could have given him some kind of wrap-up to it all. She went on about how great "Nam Do San" was from the letters, but the second she met the real Nam Do San, she was able to forget all about the emotions and sentiments from the letters - just because he asked her to not bring up the past?

So many unanswered questions and plotholes. HOWEVER, this is why I think that it is much better that Dal Mi didn't end up with Ji Pyeong. I don't think it would have been possible because all she knew of Do San was through the letters and when she met the real Do San, her idealized image came to life in human form. There would have been no way for her to detach that. And even after she found out it was all a lie, it was too late for her and Ji Pyeong because she had started to really like the real Nam Do San.

I also think that after everything Dal Mi and Do San went together, it makes sense for them to end up together. They went through a lot of growth together and experiencing the whole "chasing my dream" together. Whereas Ji Pyeong was already successful, he was an outsider looking in at the youth. Which is why he is perfect in his mentor role.

Despite Do San's character being so lacking and painfully hard to watch, his character really turned into better form towards the end. Though, I don't know how realistic that character growth is since he was once so insecure and anti-social - I think Dal Mi definitely helped him grow into his own skin. The scene where Do San asks Dal Mi for the final time why she likes him and she said "because it's you, you're the reason" - I thought it was very sweet. Even though it's super cliche, it finally confirms that Do San has nothing to worry about and doesn't need to compare himself to Ji Pyeong because he finally got what he wanted - to be liked for who he truly is. I am satisfied with how the main characters' stories wrapped up - being CEO/CTO and getting married.

I wish there was more of a wrap-up / follow up to other characters. I wanted to see Ji Pyeong's involvement with the orphanage company and In Jae and her company. I also didn't like how they separated In Jae so much from the family even towards the end. She had like two scenes with the Grandma. It was just weird how the Grandma so easily gave in to be so protective of Dal Mi's mom. I guess the Grandma really is just that giving of a person - since we saw this in episode 1 of how she helped young Ji Pyeong.

The ideas used throughout the drama for the hackathons, different companies, etc were nice and fresh to see. It definitely felt more modern and up to date? I wished they gave more insight about the whole start-up process.

Other notable side characters, Chulsan was great for comedic purposes especially his relationship with Saha. Yunsan, pissed me off so much. Blaming Ji Pyeong for killing his brother - bruh he didn't have to go that low.

Overall, this drama was worth the watch. Despite all the flaws and injustice for some characters, I think that it was nice to watch the characters grow and become successful in their dreams. Obviously everything is glamorized because it is a k-drama, no start-up can succeed that easily but because this doesn't happen in real life - it was fun to watch. Ji Pyeong's character carried the whole damn drama, he is smart, dependable, and very caring. I'm glad he didn't end up with Dal Mi because he deserves someone who is actually on his level (sorry Dal Mi).

The OST was really good though, Red Velvet's Future, Ailee's Blue Bird has been on repeat for me.

If you can get over how painfully built Nam Do San's character is, and how naive Seo Dal Mi is then you can get through this drama. Plus Ji Pyeong and the Grandma's scenes were always so cute.

I love all the actors and actresses in this drama; I think Suzy did a great job playing Dal Mi and is one of my favorite roles from her so far. Nam Joo Hyuk did good as well because he made Nam Do San to be so believable. And I'm so thankful that this drama introduced me to Kim Seon Ho (I'm sure everyone feels the same way).

If there's any gain from this drama, it's motivation to maybe start your own business? But also a new found love for the up and coming Kim Seon Ho himself. I'm going to binge 2 Days 1 Night Season 4 because I can actually see him laugh and smile with those cute dimples of his in that show lol.

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This drama was honestly perfect based on my personal taste. I loved it from the very beginning to the end, I noticed some people were kind of disappointed about the love triangle but I have to say I didn't think too much about it and just went with the flow. I didn't even bother to think who I wanted Dalmi to be with, both the first and second male leads left a good impression on me.. I really liked them (even though they were kind of upsetting at times). The cast was impeccable, and so was the story and osts, and this is why Start Up left such a wonderful impression on me: nowadays dramas are quite delusional and often boring. However, this time I haven't been bored once, it was always sooo entertaining and made me laugh and cry continuously. It sort of comforted me with its character's stories, which I felt so immersed in. Love it love it love it!

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Plunge into the start-up industry

This kdrama explains the inner workings of the start-up industry and all the terms you need to know to sound smart. For example, I did not know what was "acqui-hiring".

We learn that behind any successful start-up is a desperately resourceful CEO, a genius techie and a great mentor at an incubation center. The love triangle between these three adds complexity to the drama. While Bae Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk are so cute together, Kim Seon-ho stirs second-lead-syndrome.

The story of their start-up itself is quiet interesting and the personal motivations are real-worldly for young twenty-somethings. The insights the writer, Park Hye-ryun brings is typical of her writing style and I was educated on the lives of rookie journalists in Pinocchio (starring Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye), and felt I got an inside view into the workings of the prosecution department in While You Were Sleeping (also starring Bae Suzy, and Lee Jong-suk) and I Can Hear Your Voice (starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Jong-suk), even though legal dramas are done to death in the Kdrama world.

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An Honest Review

Start up was a quality drama of 2020. The first episode sets the stage for the story line in the most perfect way. You start of the drama laughing and crying. I enjoyed the story line, even though there are definitely some holes as the story progresses of things you want to know but just never do. The ML and FL do an excellent job at emotional scenes and continue to do so throughout the drama. The ML did an good job changing his mannerisms as the character grows and develops in the drama. The SL was also amazing his adlibs are super funny and its a joy when his face comes on the screen.
If you hate dramas with love triangles this is NOT the drama for you. You will get frustrated and drop the drama. I enjoyed how the story progressed between the ML and the FL it was sweet but not overly romantic. I found myself rooting for them the entire drama.
The drama also has a nice ending that ties up most of the loose ends. You don't get a ton of details but you can infer what happened. All in all I really enjoyed this drama and will be watching again.

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