Start-Up (2020)

On Behalf of The Nam Do San (Scroll Down for More)

Okay, so I decided to write a review because before I even watched the drama I heard all about how unhappy some viewers were with the final pairing. For those who have not watched it and are apprehensive due to the influx of negativity spewed at So Dal Mi's outcome, I would like to encourage you to give this unique drama a shot.


*SPOILERS BEWARE* (read at your own discretion)


THE STORYLINE:


First and foremost, the basic story line of this drama goes as follows; So Dal Mi grows up scarred from tragedy and parental disputes to rival her older sister Won In Jae in a new career of entrepreneurship.

In the midst of her childhood and dealing with the unfortunate events that led to her living with her grandmother, she makes an unlikely friend under the name Nam Do San, a supposed math genius and prize winner. She spends an entire season writing back and forth with him until one day the letters simply stop.

In present day, adult So Dal Mi finds herself in a compromising position that she believes will only be solved by reconnecting and finally meeting her first love, Nam Do San, in person. What she does not know is that the Nam Do San she searches for only exists on paper and was the creation of her grand mother and an orphan by the name of Han Ji Pyung.

To conceal this secret from So Dal Mi, her grandmother works with Han Ji Pyung who she recently meets again, to find the real Nam Do San ; because as luck would have he does exist. The rest of the story can be described as a quest for So Dal Mi to discover the truth and find the person she actually has feelings for, all the while working towards the success of her start up.

MY THOUGHTS:

If you're like me and you don't mind spoilers, in fact your seek them out to ensure your sanity is intact by the end of a drama then I hope my next words are helpful.


So Dal Mi ends up with Nam Do San ( THE REAL ONE)

Now, a lot of people might disagree with me but I think that they were a good fit for each other. Think about it they gave each other the confidence to succeed and take risks that alone they would never have dreamed of attempting. The SDM and NDS pairing felt right and natural to me, I liked their partnership in business and in a romantic sense. NDS was a type of male character I feel we do not see often, he was sensitive, absolutely adorable, open and often times dimwitted but in an endearing way. (I think Nam Joo Hyuk did a phenomenal job playing Nam Do San, this has become one of my favorite male characters out of all the dramas I have watched, it was just so convincing and refreshing, I hope he does more roles like this in the future.) I think he complimented SDM's character who was seasoned in hiding herself and protecting her heart because of the hardships and cruelty she had already endured as a teen/child.


I DON"T think Han Ji Pyung and So Dal Mi could have been more than friends.

I will admit in the beginning I did get the impression that ultimately Han Ji Pyung would end up with So Dal Mi, but as the story progressed it became more obvious to me that it was actually NDS who had her. In my opinion he did not try hard enough until it was too late to approach her. He was always at a distance stopping himself and denying what he truly felt. I think this stemmed from his life as an orphan, but regardless his lack of efforts to peruse her eventually worked against him. Also when I thought about how a relationship between SDM and HJP would be, it did not seem like they would mesh well, I don't think that their characters's could have added to each other in any way. Besides this, it also occurred to me that HJP only began developing feelings for SDM after her grandmother asked him for the favor of materializing the real NDS, to help SDM. Had the grandmother never re-entered his life, and made such a request that would put him at close proximity with SDM again I don't believe he would have reached out to her on this own accord or even thought about starting a romantic relationship with her. Truly I just think they were not meant to be, what HJP really needed was a family to connect with emotionally, not a romantic relationship with SDM.


*This was written to share my opinions and NOT as a way to disrespect anyone who holds differing thoughts or any of the actors who anticipated in this drama, thank you.*

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A character based romance drama with extremely flawed leads.

(If you hate the ML don't read further cause I won't take any criticism) Ah one of screenwriter Park Hye Ryun's most polarized dramas. Not to mention actor Nam Joo Hyuk's most controversial and hated role yet. Set in the world of Start ups this drama follows the leads as they try to fullfill their dreams and succeed. Most people had the worst case of second lead syndrome for character Han Ji Pyung played by none other than one of my favourite actors Kim Seon Ho. And while he wasn't my favorite character I kind of understand why people liked him. That said I was too tired of the rich tsundre (and shouty which personally annoys me) MLs with a sad past and a childhood connection with the female lead which there were too many of. I prefered Nam Do San who to me was an interesting and complex but very flawed character of his own which you barely get to see any of. I mean if he was too perfect and too nice people would have found him to be boring anyway. That said I found the hate for him surprising and even his small flaws were laughably exaggerated as if he was totally evil. I also thought that Bae Suzy who played the female lead Seo Dal Mi had the most chemistry with the ML compared to the other dramas I have seen her in and it was also her best role yet. You could see the improvement in her acting. The most impressive improvement in acting I saw was though was of Joo Hyuk. Especially since I saw him in Bride of the Habaek where I found his acting to be kind of okayish. Since the character of Do San was introduced at the very end of the first episode people had already started to get SLS. I actually prefered the second lead's relationship with Dal Mi's grandmother. I also loved the ML's relationship with his friends. Most people were also unhappy cause this drama wasn't very realistic about startups even though the writer had done some research. But kdramas (though this is not specific to kdramas) rarely are that realistic. For me the drama was more character based than plot based. I do have some of my own criticisms like the second female lead Won In Jae not getting a lot of screentime and the development of her relationship with her sister Dal Mi was also rushed. Some things were dragged or unnecessary, as was the love triangle. This drama had me crying a lot. I will always remember this drama for giving me a relatable (and soft, lovable nerd who knits! idc about other's opinions) lead like Nam Do San. That said I wish I could have watched it in my own bubble than get involved in one of the worst shipping wars I have seen.

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Good and refreshing !

The 1st episode is too good to forget. The scene was very loveable, the relationship between haemoni and Jipyeong.
Nam Dae Rum acting is so good. I always adore him, since the first time I saw his drama as a teen in "Come and hug Me" I know he will be big star someday.
Yes, like others drama lovers comment. I got the second lead syndrome and makes me fall in love with Jipyeong. His characters turns out very strong. Kim Sun Ho, suddenly became the hot topic media because of this show.
I don't want to belittle Nam Jo Hyuk as a main lead, but his character in this drama is sometimes annoying and I don't know with his face expression. But, it's only his character, yes he's doing a great job!
Despite of all, this drama is so refreshing, the acting of all actor / actress is so good. Suzy is always playing good.
The story is closest to reality , it steal the attention of young people.
If you want to see some friendship, business, relationship, this one is good to watch. It also have funny moments, and romance but not as much.

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Have you guys watched... a k-drama before?

Short review: If you enjoy romance plots, go ahead, give it a chance. I really enjoyed my time with this show. It is not perfect and maybe not for everyone, but what k-drama is? You'll know in a few episodes if it's for you or not. What I appreciated the most is the wonderful cinematography, great acting, and very little melodrama. It's a straight-forward and heartwarming experience.

Now, I'll try to keep this as spoiler-free as possible, but as I'm discussing other reviews it is not entirely spoiler-free.

I just finished watching Start-Up and was absolutely confused by all the negative reviews here - so I wanted to share my own opinion as well.

I would like to counter some of the points negative-reviewers have made:

1. It is unrealistic (?)
- Yes, this show is about a start-up but no, this story doesn't probably follow what real start-ups go through. Does this make the show unrealistic? I'd like to counter with: Is ANY k-drama really realistic? huh? It's a show made to be enjoyed, not nit-picked at by IT-engineers and actual start-up people. And even if you do find flaws (which, if you are an adult, are very very obvious) does that automatically make this plot bad? For me it was like watching a fantasy-start-up-plot in a sense, where you obviously know that the people will meet success in the end (again, this is a k-drama) but you're here for the ride of "wow, wouldn't it be so cool if it was that easy".

2. No character development
- Again, did we watch the same show? All leads go through their ups and downs but more importantly, the show literally TELLS YOU when the characters are changing and developing. I very much disagree that the characters don't take huge strides during this show. They all change in their own ways, especially in the ways the characters themselves state they are lacking in (whether that be self-confidence, being considerate of others, being kinder etc.). I find it very lazy that some viewers seem to have been totally caught up in their own thoughts about the show to be totally blinded to very blatant story and character development. If I didn't sincerely believe in this, I would not be writing this review.

SPOILERS:

3. Wrong love-interest
- *sigh* I mean, wasn't it just obvious straight from the first few episodes? Yes, the back-story was mainly focused on Han Ji-Pyong and the letter-storyline was pretty romantic, but I cannot believe that is the only thing you're basing your opinion on. Him "not getting the girl" does not make him any less of a great character. His arc is a big part of what makes this show worth watching, someone who has always lived just for himself starting to open up and accept happiness and other people into his life. Like many other second-leads in k-drama, he was just too late. His affection with (the current) Dal-Mi wasn't enough - it was never reciprocated. One sided love is sad, I've been there myself. Dal-Mi never showed any romantic interest in him, whatsoever. But it isn't Dal-Mi's fault, nor his that it couldn't work out. Shows that make me root for both love interests are always commendable for building up two good leads. You're supposed to feel a bit sorry for him for god sakes! That does not make Do-San a bad lead, though. I feel like the chemistry worked really well and Nam Joo-Hyuk did an excellent job acting wise. I get that not everyone was sold, but I was. When you're not sure if the affection in his eyes is actually irl-real or just acting - well that is good acting! And I felt it from both male leads. I'll defend this position till the end, I said what I said. But I get the disappointment, I do (Reply 1988 broke me in pieces).

Thank you for your time!

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Deceptive Start up

The plotline is akin to the french novel, Cyrano de Bergerac by the classical writer Edmond Rostand. Cyrano and Christian love Roxane, and one will work in the shadow (Cyrano) and the handsome Christian will take it all in being the girl's lover. There is a head and a puppet, working together. The lines are witty, french high schoolers learnt the cues at school. As the title suggest, the MC is Cyrano, that is to say E. Rostand is much more clever than Start up writers.... They should have copied the book ending, because Start up story ends so dumb.
The office working universe is unrealistic. They always seem to have free time. The scenes at SF are ridiculous. I don't think that successful computer engineers spend their whole day drinking fine wine in a boat.
And if you focus only the love story, as I said, the ML should be JPY. I am not fan of children sweetheart stories and it won't bother me that FL ends up withn ML, BUT I did not feel much chemistry between the two main actors. I skipped their scenes several times, I was not moved at all.
If you compare this drama with 100 days my prince, KSH was also the second lead and he was already a charming scene stealer. Nevertheless, the ML and FL were brilliant so KSH just did a good job as the SL. Also, the SL ending was pretty nice, contrary to Start up drama.
I enjoyed the drama, the pace was good but script mistakes + poor lead acting cause the greatest SLsyndrome ever. And this is a viewpoint from someone who is already a KSH's fan, before seing Start Up. I liked the fact that we can see his tragical palette acting which was not revealed yet. He deserves this success, I am glad for it.
Therefore, I do think Kim Seonho and granny save the whole drama and were the best part of Start up. This is too bad.

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A story of a Good boy..

I had a chance to visit a real entrepreneurship promotors for start-ups in Seoul, circa November 2019. If you already watched the drama, or in the middle of it, there it is similar to the 'Sand Box'. They shared interesting and inspiring stories about youth entrepreneurships that they had been helping and facilitating, their ups and downs, their successes as well as failures. This drama seems to have successfully captured these dynamics, so to say.

The story in 'Start-Up' was started so nicely. Without going into detail, the exchange of letters between young Seo Dal-mi and young Han Ji-pyeong using a name of a boy called 'Nam Do-san' has given a big promise for a great storyline. SDM and HJP's character developments during this stage were so real and heartwarming, especially with a special family-like friendship between HJP and SDM's grandmother..

The main story started 15 years later, when their paths crossed in start-up business competitions with the appearance of the real Nam Do-san 'out of nowhere'. From only a picture of a boy whose name was used as a 'dummy' in the letter, to a suddenly appeared male-lead with increasingly significant screen times as the story went. And as many of us could guess, SDM and NDS, with HJP were tangled in a love-triangle, in between the hypes and dynamics of the start-up business. This is the point where the drama started to fall..

The plot was not well written to allow audience to accept and justify the sudden appearance of NDS to become the male lead while the audience has already bound with HJP's good characters, and how NDS managed to win SDM's heart. The 15 years of SDM's emotional built-up from the exchange of letters with HJP, even though using NDS' name, has become insignificant and eventually disappear from the story..

Not sure if I want to watch again. Credits are for the cinematography and creative camera plays. Kim Seon-ho is the right actor to portray HJP - he managed to pull out all the good characters of HJP as the 'Good boy'. The 10 / 10 on acting is for him.

Oh, I love Lee Bo-young's cameo appearance, btw. :)

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Wasted Potential

This drama started off so well—promising storyline, interesting characters, great cinematography, and the business/startup setting. However, it went downhill on the second half—the main leads were regressing, central concepts abandoned, underdeveloped themes, and most importantly unclear and inconsistent messages.

To me the fatal flaw was that they focused on the romance AND dragged the love triangle unnecessarily, wasting screentime that could have been used to build up appropriate resolution and development for all characters. My take is that the second lead's unexpected popularity prompted them to stretch the love triangle for viewership, compromising the original plot and messed up the last episodes. The ending was so rushed that dialogues in supposedly climactic parts were lazily written and unconvincing.

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Do not watch unless you love Injustice and being Disappointed!

The Only good point of this drama is found in the "Second Lead" HAN Jipyeong, and his chemistry with the other characters. Unlike the ML whom I personally found awkward and creepy.

The Script began on the top of a Mountain to reach the bottom 10000 League under the level sea. Past the 9th episode it's a waste of time. The Pilot is completly misleading, useless. It's make us fall for the second lead then he've been used too much and too many time to end up like he did.... Unfortunate(ly).....

The Writer lost herself and us, in the mist of this massive Mess!

What's happened to you, Writer-nim? We need explanation....

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What you feel is not the Second Lead Syndrome, it's the Plot Betrayal.

So, why do I think Start-Up committed a plot betrayal? Let me ask you this, how did the main male character of the "story" become the second male lead of the "series"? In writing a story, you don't build a foundation that you will not use in the end because you can make it float by capitalising on a fanwar.

You might also be wondering why Han Ji-pyeong is favoured by majority of the viewers than Nam Do-san. We don't need to pit the two male characters against each other and compare their features and flaws. The story is written to make viewers experience Dal-mi's feelings vicariously. The plot's exposition clearly established who really is Dal-mi's love interest. The rising action of the story is premised on Ji-pyeong's struggle to reveal himself (and his love) to Dal-mi. They dragged this til it reaches its climax in Episode 15, making its falling action relatively short (with some lame excuses and justifications for a Do-Dal ending) and the denouement disconnected from its origin. Hence, the backlash from some of its viewers.

It really was a promising series. Majority of its viewers who watched it until the last episode hoped that the original main male character's struggle will be resolved properly even if it was virtually impossible when Episode 14 gave all the leverage to Nam Do-san. Hence, even if Nam Joo-hyuk plays Han Ji-pyeong or Kim Seon-ho plays Nam Do-san, majority of the viewers will still root for Ji-pyeong. It clearly is not about the actors but the story and how it established its characters. Nam Do-san was not even a full character until the last minute of episode 2, whereas Ji-pyeong is already a core character connecting all the other main characters, i.e. halmeoni/Mrs. Choi, Dal-mi, and the boy from the television and newspaper, Do-san.

I have to admit that Episode 16 was able to conclude other subplots well, from the apparent success of their start-up to In-jae's reunion with halmeoni and her family. Sans the plot betrayal, this series would have been one of the best KDramas of 2020.

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Let's Face It: It's A Youth Drama With the Wrong Lessons

Let's admit the fact that Start Up's premise is that of a youth drama, coming of age set with "rainbows and unicorns sailing without a map" set in a very demanding and fast paced world of Start Ups and Tech.

Park Hye Run hasn't made such a youth oriented drama since Dream High (also with Suzy) as she tackled really deep and quite interesting topics such as integrity, justice and 'doing the right thing' in all her shows between Dream High and Start-Up.

I won't go into the summary of the plot because everyone else has gone through it, but here is a more technical and objective review of the series.

The core theme was all about the tech industry and business behind it, which was a great refresher. Business topics in Korean Dramas aren't new, but the attack from the first half of the series was fresh and nostalgic to a mature viewer who once aimed to change the world and are now hit by the realities that they wish to change, and the idealism that the writer would like to express and show the youth in "following their dreams."

Of course no drama is complete without love - but that's exactly the topic that threw the drama off by overextending its due date. The rising action towards the revelation of the real letter writer, the foundations of such letters, and the actions each character did became the core focus of the entire first half, which is quite magnificent, touching and in fact very relatable - but also created probably the greatest divide in terms of characterization that I've seen in KDramas.

The further you watch, the more glaring it became: Start-up easily layered a cross-generational drama and gripe because of the levels of maturity the main leads (Dal mi and Do san) and the 'supposed' support (Ji Pyeong and Choi Won Deok halmeoni - Dal Mi's grandmother, to be exact - as she is technically our fourth lead here)

With a youthful cast, supported by seasoned thespians as second leads, it could easily have been two separate story lines to reach the goals they are all searching for, and that is where the boundaries were severely misplaced by involving Ji Pyeong to a love triangle that was already weak at the beginning, extending an unnecessary tragic plot for the character that has a ML backstory that made viewers hooked.

I could mutter and rant all along with how injustice was done towards the role of Ji Pyeong and all the values that Park Hye Run tried to instill in all her past series this decade (2011 to 2020) went down the drain because of one show, but I'd rather attack this review as rational I can get, "emotions aside, " which was the key tone she wanted for every other mature individual - character and audience - to withhold, so that a Dal Mi - Do San angle would be shoved to our throats.

I cannot blame Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk. Both showed acting prowess in other series they starred in, which called for a more vivid interaction and micro-expressions we could not see in the entire 16 episodes. Experience? They could use more adlibs. Miscast? Probably. But same could be said to the other side of the equation if they are pitched as leads.

Kim Seon Ho and Kim Hae Sook were gems - the only redeeming factors of the casting, considering they placed everyone else aside like half baked cookies. Even Kang Hanna, who's considered as a second female lead, felt like a plot device so that everyone can bow down to such a crazy and unreal plot, like a rowdy bull charging its horns over an audience.

Instead, love could have been used instead as a plot device to settle and sort out the differences in the immaturity of Ji Pyeong's character towards indebtedness and the need for filial support, and greater purpose, something which was glaringly communicated since Ep1, but shoved as a romantic angle between a mature, almost-40 man, and spunky-late 20's youth with the need to learn more about life's twists and turns, which the real confession ending in Ep16, depriving the audience of the 'divine' justice they have set up for the character since Ep2. The wise use of symbolisms at the start of the show were thrown away, which is ironic considering how Park Hye Run relies on it so much in her past work.

As for the lessons? The 'kids' got away with everything, and the grown-ups were made to 'eat their words, ' albeit reluctantly. The reverse is true in the real world. It sets a dangerous 'rainbows and unicorns' precedence to any young individual with the hope of starting their own business.

Overall, it was an emotional rollercoaster, and a mentally anguishing pain to watch. Something that's starkingly and snarkily told to mature audiences by the 'kids' who pretended to mature in the series - to completely set emotions aside and use their rational judgment on them. It leaves a bitter aftertaste which could have been remedied had they focused on two different plots of romance and self growth equally among the leads, than drag the mature character, Ji Pyeong into an unnecessary immature and toxic situation - and wallowing in like a pig in the mud, a contrast where most mature audiences are dying to get out of such toxicity in their lives.

Considering that Park Hye Run and Oh Choong Hwan have worked with the majority of the cast of Start-Up in various hit shows, they should have known better - and have no one but themselves to blame for such a violent and divided reaction from fans.

For what it's worth, you're sucked in the story because its too close to reality (no one gets bedridden in the hospital, no bus explosions and no present time deaths, car crashes or kidnappings). But that's exactly where the frustration sets in - as such a content like this is supposed to be an escape for the majority of people who feel deprived or invalidated in their life in needing of the justice and love the feel they deserve - exactly like Ji Pyeong.

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Biggest flop in k-drama history

This drama had one of the best start any drama I have watched to the day, and really excited me to continue to watch it because it was intriguing. Not gonna lie this series is a good one overall but it has some of the biggest flaws in the story. The writer wasted almost have of the drama in a triangular love and didn't develop any of the main leads after episode 8. the series just stagnated. From the very first episode we are introduced to this amazing character and we are led to believe that he is the main character of the story, but nono.
The story revolves around Mr. Han who wrote letter to Dal-mi becoming her only friend during a really difficult period of her life, and yes he only did it because Dal-mi's grandmother asked him to, but we have to take in consideration that even after that he wrote a lot of personal stuff in those letter, so the story starts after this letters and Dal-mi's father dying after getting and investment.So we're let to believe that Mr. Han and Dal-mi are the main characters. in the case of Dal-mi she is amazing in the begging, a very talented woman capable of accomplishing anything she wants with a relative different approach to life, and her driving force is her older sister that choose to live with her mother instead of her father like Dal-mi choosed, basically she wanted her sister to regret her decision.
Up to this point we basically have the plot set in stone to the story begin.
Hey with this kind of plot you're set to have an amazing drama. Then you introduced this other character Nam Do-san who is consider to be a genius programmer but a really awful like really bad as a CEO, why is he introduce you may ask? well, the letters I talked before where sent to Dal-mi using his name as sender. This just make this story a love triangle and really interesting which one of the two she will choose her partner or boyfriend or whatever you wanna call it. Up to now everything is enticing.
The problem this series have is that after she is led to believe this Do-san guy is really her friend is told that it isnt and it was infact Mr. Han. So after them lying to her their relationship went south, because she doesn't know which one of them is the one she likes, the Do-san of the letters or this other Do-san. This part is basically what can move the story forward to our next problem. So she became mad at the two of them and up to this point, we are led to believe that she is only with Do-san because she thought he was the one from the letters. So either Do-san wins her heart or Mr. Han does and here resides the problem of the story, not only Do-san does nothing to win her heart or her trust again but also Mr. Han does basically nothing to win her heart apart from a love confession. So either of the character can't be with her in my opinion, this was basically the part to win her heart and both fail so hard in my opinion to do.
So when the writer then says that Dal-mi love the new Do-san, it doesn't make any fucking sense, like why? She needs a really good reason in order to be with him, Writer: Dal-mi likes Do-san because he is Do-san. What???????????????? How????????????? Why?????????????????
This guy after Dal-mi finding out became violent (he punched Mr. Han because of his own poor decision making abilities and jealousy), low-selfesteem, dork, jealous, an idiot. So why does she likes this toxic guy? What sets him apart from Mr. Han? this is a very important question to answer when your reason is because he is Do-san. This is why a lot of viewers are discontent with how the story came to be.
Personally I liked a lot more Mr. Han to end up with her BUT he is also at fault that he lost Dal-mi, He does nothing to win her over again. So in the end I think she didn't have any reasons to be with any of them.
Another problem that this series have is her second lead, Her older sister is set from the very begging to be her driving force to become better and an amazing business woman more succesfull than her older sister. This character is left in a corner with no screentime what so ever. If she is her driving force you better have them interact with each other like a lot but no. This character had so much potential but wasted to bad.
Finally the start-up problems, eventhought I'm not a succesful businessman or own a big enteprise, but hey trust me when I say that, this guys just got lucky. They develop and amazing app but with no oportunity to generate money. This kind of project you can only make possible and viable when you have already a succesful business and you have a lot of money not a really good idea to a new company to be making. I feel like everything they achieved is because of luck and not because of hard work. So, what could have been a point in favour to the series becomes one of its problem.
Apart from the Story, I can say with full confidence that all actors did a really amazing job in portraying this poorly written story. I can say that this director has to me accountable for this dramas problems. because when you're shooting this series you can probably tell that some things are not right and should be changed because this is also part of the Director job.
I will never rewatch this drama in my life and I will never recommend this drama to anyone unless I hate the person, because this series overall is an above average one probably a 7 or 8, but those problem makes the story so dragging and anoying to the point of not wanting to watch the next episode. Hope this is writer and director learn from their mistakes and improve in their next drama, because we're humans and humans can make mistakes.

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