Start-Up (2020)

This drama went from 100 to 0 in a flash.

The title "Start Up" is a ruse.
We begin with a bunch of inexperienced and business-illiterate individuals who aspire to be the next Steve Jobs or Google. While the first half of the drama offers you hope that this group would gradually learn how to be entrepreneurs and deal with typical start-up issues.... We end up with a group of (very) immature people who rely primarily on luck to secure financing, recognition, and success, then continue to sell their firm in ONE DAY with little regard for their long-term objectives.

The main characters make business decisions based on personal emotions—love life, envy, ecstasy, entitlement—consistently and unrepentant.
I cannot emphasise enough the lack of maturity that a group of 25+ year olds exhibits at work—even teenagers appear wiser in comparison.

The male lead has been reduced to a whining entitled toddler who, like a broken radio, constantly weeping and repeating "I have nothing" just because his love life isn't running well in order to win sympathy points from everyone around him.

The female protagonist transforms from an independent, practically self-raised woman with a strong personality to a damsel in distress who can't function without the assistance of the males in her life.

The action then moves on to a misplaced time jump that grants this team success and wealth from other companies' jobs. One of the most inexcusable time jumps ever. It wasn't just because the scene transition was abrupt. For starters, it deprives the characters of the opportunity to reflect and learn from their mistakes because of when it takes place.
Second, there is no character development in the three years that have passed. Everyone appears to be stuck in time. (stagnation)
Third, all of the formerly struggling characters have attained (fortunate) professional success and affluence, and we miss their path.

It feels actors/actress and producers forces them to change the scripts mid way to please the fans or maintain their image or boost it. Not only on this drama I have seen on so many others where plots gets forgotten the mid way

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So-so Drama Series

It was okay. Im not a fan of Bae Suzy, somehow I found myself trying to get a glimpse of the pilot episode and it was good. The back story was excellent! Esp Seo Dal-mi's dad. So I waited for another week to catch up because i was hooked. But as the week progresses, the drama was slacking. The Writer seem to have been confused too who the Male lead is haha. I can't believe 90% of the audience shipped the second male lead! How did the Writer came up to that plan lol. The drama lacked something I can't pinpoint, the 3rd to 14th Episode made me doze off after 15 minutes watching. The humor was pushy, doesnt come in naturally. Halmeoni and Ji Pyeong's relationship was the best tho, In-jae's badass character was good, although I expected more from her acting because Kang Han Na is a good actress. This Kdrama is just ok with a so-so ending. Not bad and def not good. I can't believe it reaches 16 Episodes with that story. It was short and brief and nothing special.

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This Drama Flops, but is Saved by These Things

Just like Itaewon Class, Start-Up lost everything after episode 10. To be precise, episode 13 destroys everything this drama should have had. In the first week of the broadcast, Start-up hit a rating of 9.0 in MDL. It was high and it was NOT overrated. The drama was really good, thus many anticipated the next episodes.
When it came to the end of the broadcast, the rating fell down to as far as it reaches: 7.9 (when this review is written).

Why does it flop?
1. First, get to know the meaning behind the title: Start-up. Establishing and developing a young company founded by one or more entrepreneurs. Yes, this drama should have been a story about Dalmi and friends fighting to become a top-tier entrepreneur who runs a successful company in the end.
2. Everything about developing a start-up company is the MAIN VALUE of the drama. I believe the writer has researched well for this drama so that it really provides new information about technology and business.
3. From the two points above, you now should have started expecting an ending where Dalmi and friends have successfully established a company from the ground.
4. Everything goes smoothly before episode 13 destroy this drama by throwing out the main value (mentioned in point 2). It skipped like the whole story. Dalmi and friends were struggling in the company, but episode 13 skips it.
5. EPISODE 13 shows you how Dalmi and friends now have successfully lived their life as an entrepreneur WITHOUT showing you THE PROGRESS.
6. I believe the writer/director prioritized the romance instead of the business aspect of the drama. So, when they feel the "fan-service" i.e romance scenes are not enough, they add it everywhere in the part within the episode.
7. Yes, so many unnecessary romance scenes that could be cut for the solidness of the plot's sake.
8. I believe the writer was in confusion about whether s/he should pick Dosan or Jipyeong as Dalmi's boyfriend as the majority of the watchers tends to love Jipyeong.

However, the drama was saved by:
1. Duo Chulsan and Yongsan. Their comedy is the best in this drama.
2. Chulsan and Saha's love lines. This better than the main roles'.
3. Touching family scenes. Ngl, I cried when Injae met her grandma.
4. The complexity and well-researched of the terms about the computer, technology in general, and business.
5. Interesting story in the first half of the drama. It successfully brings the drama far from boring.
6. Solidness plot in episode 1-12. Every event has a connection to other events and it triggers another conflict.
7. Grandmas: CEO of Sandbox and Injae's grandma.
8. Suzy.

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Fell flat

The bar was set so high, so so high on the first few episodes. The concept was exceptional, but the ending fell flat with a great big thud. It was a turd ending and we didn't deserve it.

The only light at the end of the tunnel was HJP.
He deserved better.

NDS was so unlikeable and I feel bad for them because I know they did their best.

This was a writer's failed attempt. It was great at first, but it failed.

What I don't understand is how such a great story can fail so much? We'll, we can learn from GOT S8 and Lost. Those ending were bad as well. Writer's should learn how to end a story better.

It felt like flying a great big kite, and the wind took it to the heavens. It felt like it will soar and never go down. But it got struck by lightning and burned.

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why do all my favourite dramas have the worst reviews ??

like it never makes sense to me, my fave dramas are those like itaewon class, start up, secretary kim but why are the written reviews always so low like bruhhh I don’t freaking understand ? I think these dramas are just so enjoyable man, I’m currently watching start up with my family cause well it includes business and my dad works in marketing so- you get the gist lmao, but it’s really enjoyable the drama, I don’t regret watching it ?

and this review is supposed to be at least 500 characters but idk what else to write so imma just take my time reaching the minimum word limit-

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It's quite a perfect drama with superb acting & it's worth watching

I watched many k drama's. Till date startup just blow my mind with strong cinematography and classic direction. All actors doing great job as specially Nam Joo hyuk . All episode are engaging brilliant to watch the drama no regrets. Specially this drama deals with great concert and plot loving to watch these type of drama. I didn't mention its background music and designing its very unique and cool actually. And bae suzy as usual doing great job actually the cast is perfect. And I'm very excited to see suzy in our indian??movies, she is in indian 2 movie cast it will great to watch her in our movie. At last I'm looking forward to next episode. In EP 13 14 the story is full of boring very bad directing, it's pace gone slow and slow very disappointed after watching EP 14, all things are illogical. In do san mind dal mi has no feeling for him he believes it for 3years but after he suddenly wants to join dal mi company its very illogical. Plot is totally missing. Looking forward to next episode. The ending EP is as usual a happy ending. It's worth watching but as compare to starting the ending EP a little lacking. At last it is a superb drama.. Of romance, sucess struggle comedy, emotional full package of entertainment.
Thank you.
Bye! ?

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sacrificed the potentials of being one of best youth/romance drama for a cliché love triangle.

it's not just a "2nd lead syndrome". dalmi and jipyeong had the most supportive and loving dynamics. a relationship based on mutual appreciation and being vulnerable to one to another. being there at their worst and celebrating their best: THIS a beautiful, realistic and no-cliché drama. no skinship, no small crushes, just pure love.
but apparently this drama was aimed for hopeless romantic teenagers instead of actual YOUTHS?

I somehow enjoy love triangles and - at first - I LOVED startup so much. mix of top tier humor, romantic and bittersweet moments , it reached the point where I was utterly torn between dosan and jipyeong (aka my oddly fav thing in love triangles) then I expected the writer to chose one of these two paths:

1/ flourishing dalmi and dosan relationship along with mutual character development till the very end + dalmi and jipyeong to settle down their past in a healthy mature way + more jipyeong and injae? = fair ending for all leads.

2/ breaking the love triangles stereotype by letting the 2nd lead win.
Jipyeong isnt just a 2nd lead. he was literally the backbone of the story and dodal relationship; this was already a good starter to break the stereotype plus there no written rule that a 1st should always get the girl + making dodal successful business partners who are grateful they met each others thru an accident.

what I did NOT expect:

- building up the most likeable, admirable, selfless and caring 2nd lead (wont say perfect, he did mistakes and owned them which him even MORE adorable) only give him the most disheartening ending ever. only him.

- downgrading dalmi most charismatic, carefree and spiritual personality down to some confused high schooler.

- making dosan, who is respectfully 28 years old, act like toddler without his candy cane and WITHOUT owning up or properly apologize.

the drama had the potentials & lessons for: (that sadly gone waste)

- you will be able to finally receive love back after many sacrifices and selflessness, it will be worth it.
-never revolve your future, self esteem and basically your passion around a person. yes a person could give you a push to start but never dedicate YOUR DREAM to be a person.
- to never sacrifice your spirit and courage for baseless romance. it never worth it.

of course not everyone gonna like a popular drama. popular dramas always get a backflash but this one is PAINFULLY wasted specially with this amazing casts.


this is just a summarized review btw so excuse my poor depth.

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Han Jipyeong was the true star of the show.

This drama was such a waste. It started off so promising but ended up rushed with so many plot holes. The first half was well written, the last few episodes seemed like it came from a very bad fan-fiction. I'm very disappointed with PHR work, to think her past works was so well written and detailed. I'm convinced that there was some behind-the-scene politics that happened in between cause the whole story had a complete turnaround.

If the writer wanted some kind of redemption for the main leads, she should have made the character likable. NDS regressed and had zero growth. He didn't think the letters had some significance but he quotes lines from the letter, held it hostage from Jipyeong and even asked for the plant which HE DID NOT EVEN TAKEN CARED OF. It was such a let down. SDM who was strong and independent became even more blind than her grandmother. She pined for 15 yrs Dosan from the letter yet there was no resolution. Lastly, they made Jipyeong invalidate the letters for damage control. I usually re-watch clips that I like from a show but I'll never do it for this show cause it was a complete fraud. thumbs down.

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It starts of great but..

I would say give this drama a watch and see for yourself if you'll like it or not. To each their own.

So.. I like the concept of it. The idea of the letters and the main female lead wanting to find the guy who wrote the letters is interesting. She wanted to find the guy who wrote the letters to show off to her sister and also beause well she likes him a lot so she rejected all other guys she went on dates with. She wants to start her own company and is inspired by do san because of it so she goes and works on a start up. So heres the thing. As much as I enjoyed it at first as it goes on it kind of goes down half way. They don't focus so much on the start up which seems to be one of the main things and after awhile the letters and everything brought up in the beginning are forgotten. The "do san" from the letters which happens to be han ji pyeong gets rejected. It doesnt make sense because everything dal mi liked about "do san" was based on the letters. She rejected every guy because of the letters. They did han ji pyeong dirty. He was an orphan who had no one and on his own had to work towards his position he finally has a chance at happines and it gets put down because dal mi likes the real do san just because? It's not even a good reason oh and in addition to that the real do san crying says he needs dal mi because he has nothing? He has two loving and supportive parents, a house and friends. Han ji pyeong had nothing of that. They play it up as if han ji pyeong is the main lead only to later just have do san be the lead. And then at the end dal mi ignored han ji pyeongs confession and how hurt he feels and just goes straight to what she wanted to tell him. So as great as this drama started off eventually everything that they brought up in the beginning just kind of is put aside and they do their own thing to try to get us to like and root for do san more than han ji pyeong. They try to make Han ji pyeong as the villain and honestly this drama was pretty disappointing to me I couldn't even finish it. I didny watch the last two episodes and while watching it i skipped over scenes with do san and dal mi.

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Despite reading a lot of negative reviews and criticisms about this drama, I chose to be true with my thoughts about it. Start-Up has the right amount of feel good moments, unrealistic, dreamy, but that's exactly what I wanted as of the time I started this. Honestly, I've never really had high expectations for this drama that's why I enjoyed watching it. That alone can make me overlook loopholes because I was just after the cute interactions of the characters. I didn't have second lead syndrome, which is new to me. Although Han Ji Pyeong was an okay partner for Seo Dal Mi, I was rooting for Nam Do San for her since the beginning because I think they're really cute. Overall, I didn't have major problem nor did I hate this drama with all my heart, though there were really those moments when I felt frustrated. If you're up for some light hearted drama, confident about not getting SLS, and overall just after the characters' moments, then this drama could be for you. Plus, there are some lessons about business too, which could be very useful for someone who would take that route.

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Promising at first, then disappointing.

I started this drama as soon as it aired because I loved the casting. Seon Ho, Suzy, Joo Hyuk and Kang Hanna made me excited to watch this drama. Immediately after tuning into this drama, I was hooked. The first episode was heartbreaking and so so beautiful. The cinematography and storyline was enticing. Seeing Dal Mi’s passion for pursing her own business, her being a strong female character was amazing to me. I knew for sure I would love this drama.

But then...

Start Up had great potential. The characters stories could have been so much better. At the end, they were all reduced to nothing but a plot for romance. As I kept watching the show, rather than business it became a disappointing love drama. I wished the characters had the chance to grow and flourish but atlas this turned out to be a typical kdrama. With many plot holes and confusing (dare I say: immature) themes I truly did not want to continue this drama.

Han Ji Pyeong is someone who is outwardly selfish but inwardly selfless. He made more money homeless with library wifi as a teenager and came up faster in his career at a younger age with less and more against him than SST boys and the show made the boys want to play the pity olympics in his presence. They genuinely talk to him and about him like he’s some rich man who’s never known struggle. Could never understand their “grind”. Never had to work to get to where he is. Like he’s just always had everything. They never addressed his past and it disappointed me so much. Ji Pyeong himself doesn’t bring it up because he doesn’t want to pity himself. He’s truly selfless. He helped SST from the start, saving them from getting scammed to teaching them how to operate their business.

I’d say Nam Do San is someone outwardly selfless but inwardly selfish. At the start, his character was so lovable and lively. And he definitely had his good points, creating Noongil was inspiring and for that I will always appreciate Do san. I could also understand why Dal Mi would fall for him.

I don’t know when exactly his toxic and insecure side came in but boy was it ugly....

When Yong San wanted Ji Pyeong to tell the harsh truth about the 2STO acquisition, Ji Pyeong (their mentor) did just that. And how did Do san respond? By punching Ji Pyeong. He couldn’t see Dal Mi being disappointed and took it out on Ji Pyeong while making it seem like it’s his fault for talking harshly. That was the most pathetic thing I saw from him. His obsession with Dal Mi was unhealthy. I never once saw him say the words “I like you” or “I love you”. It’s always been “What do you like about me?” To me that’s thinking only about yourself. It’s a relationship without proper communication. After the 3 year gap, he didn’t seem to have changed much. The gap was stagnant and didn’t impact the story at all.

Dal Mi, once a strong business driven women, to a girl who needed a man by her side to succeed. Seeing as how Dal Mi and Do San had only been together for a few months, it baffles me how they both couldn’t let go. At times it also seemed unhealthy. I would understand if they are truly such amazing characters but since most of their relationship at the beginning was made out of lies, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. It became a story about puppy love.

It surprises me that Dal Mi never once talked about the letters with Ji Pyeong, the beginning of the drama was based so much on those letters for it to be thrown away just like that. Like it meant absolutely nothing. We all know that the letters were Ji Pyeong’s true words. But that plot never made it in. Rather they made it seem like it was insignificant because Ji Pyeong didn’t go running behind Dal Mi for 15 years. Which is weird. Why would an orphan do that? He had to take care of himself first before doing anything else. It’s clear the writers did that to kill off any Jidal/Ji Pyeong stans.

Now onto to In Jae, my best girl. While it was EXTREMELY disappointing that we barely got to see this strong woman enough, her character still shone through and it was the best. From being Won In Jae to Seo In Jae again, we could see how family mattered for her too. The story did not do justice to her one bit. How had she not known about Halmeoni’s condition for three years?! Make it make sense. I can’t say much as we didn’t see enough of her but all I know is that I love her.

The story itself became a mess. The situation with the fandom is also a complete mess. It seems like stans just can’t handle criticism to their fav actors. Although no one attacked the actors, stans made it seem like they did and it’s really immature. Critiquing the writing of a drama isn’t hate speech to an actor. I hope these type of stans grow up. I’ve seen many Suzy and Joo Hyuk stans call Seon Ho stans monsters and what not just because they didn’t like the writing. They think we don’t like the show just because Jidal didn’t happen. Which isn’t true at all. We dislike it because Ji Pyeong wasn’t treated right. He wasn’t given anything even until the last episode. I hope these stans understand this and not trash on others simply because they didn’t like the story. It’s a different story if anyone attacked an actor though.

Also, Dodal and Jidal fights are useless. Because we all know Ji Pyeong deserves better anyway and as long as Dodal are happy together we should accept that. I want to keep on writing but I’m afraid it’ll be wayyy too long. So that’s all.

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