Start-Up (2020)

its not as bad as everyone says it is

The top few reviews are rating this drama so low with many of them being less than 5? Tbh, i dont think this drama was THAT bad. I shall start off with the things that i liked about the drama.

I loved the concept of business and startup as the main theme of the drama especially during the first few episodes in samsan tech. It was quite fresh and interesting. The bromance between the samsan tech brothers was one of the few things that carried this drama - the bond between the 3 of them was really cute and i cant help but not skip all their scenes and probably repeat them cuz they're funny af. The actors and actresses also did their characters justice, especially Kim Seon Ho (SML) with Han JiPyeong (hence his soaring popularity now). He really brought out the emotions of HJP accurately and stole the show even as a second-lead. I love the scenes of him and haemolni and cry almost every time they are together LOL. I'm so glad they casted Kim Seon Ho for this, hes such an amazing actor and im glad hes gaining international recognition for his acting skills. Another actress that I would like to compliment is Kang Han Na (SFL) but I will save this up for the later part. Suzy and NJH (leads) were also very natural in their acting, but I think everyone kinda knows that so I'll move on. Other than the main leads, I thought the acting of everyone else like the side characters were also really good, hence the 10 for acting. I really love the OST for this drama too, probably one of my fav drama OSTs.

Now for the reasons why I did not rate this drama any higher than 7. Startup was very popular during the first few episodes both domestically and internationally because many people enjoyed it but it just went downhill especially after the competition. The drama focussed WAY TOO MUCH on the love triangle that they forgot about the business concept and neglected their other main lead - In Jae (Kang Hanna) who was not part of the triangle. I lowkey really liked In Jae's character as an independent woman who's capable af but they unknowingly downgraded her to an unfortunate cameo scene as the woman who stares at the girl on the swing in every episode and i thought it was a huge waste on the character. They could have ended the love triangle earlier and used the time to develop more on her character instead. Furthermore, this drama has probably one of the WORST time skips ever. 3 years passed but no one changed and some people are suddenly on good terms with literally no explanation at all?????? I was waiting for the explanation but till the last episode there were no flashbacks or whatsoever, it was as if the writer had no time to write all these in and decided to just give up a potential area to develop the relationship between the characters. The worst part of this show was the lack in character development of the FL and ML. Nam Do-san only became richer after the 3 years but was equally immature as before which annoyed me a lot. Dal Mi downgraded from an independent woman to a woman who needs her man to agree with her before she makes a decision - literally every time she has t make a decision, the professionals will say no and her other co-workers will say no but because her man says "go for it i believe in us" then boom she does it which is so unrealistic in real life and paints the wrong message to the viewers?

Overall, if you are looking for a light hearted drama with serious second-lead syndrome, you can consider this i guess but would suggest you to spend this time on other drama instead HAHAH. Though there were many plot holes in this drama, I loved the vibe of the drama and the friendships between the characters. While considering the negative aspects of the drama, i had to consider the times this drama made me happy and hence nothing less or more than 7.

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disappointed

First episode, the story was good and touching.. But the thing is, the writer made us believe of something else and made us confused. The writer made a focus on the 2nd lead, that's why I can't finish the drama, because it's too painful for me to watch it. I wish she choose him and not Do San. I don't like his character in this drama. He made us feel bad for him, like everyone should pity him. He's doing the victime little boy. I really dont like his character. He doesn't do anything on his own. He need someone to say everything for him. He's still acting like a baby. I'll stop at episode 10.

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Slow And Lots of Character Driven Moments

The cast is the highlight of this show. The three main leads are really good in their roles and really bring the characters to life. And the side characters each have their own charms. The relationship between the 2nd male lead and the grandmother is particularly great. The acting is a real highlight.

The story is mostly driven by the emotional connection to the character's goals rather than outside action. This means that the emotional moments are really really great. But unfortunately, it means that the outside actions sometimes feel contrived or forced. It left me annoyed whenever a new plot thing happened just to get a rise out of the characters.

ALSO this show is SO SLOW. Each scene takes twice as long as is needed. I put my netflix on times 1.25 speed and couldn't even notice it. They even (for the most part) talk slowly and move slowly. They should have had the episodes be and hour instead of an hour and half and just cut the scene of characters staring longingly at things or walking or writing or standing around looking sad.

That being said, despite being so slow, the scenes themselves all look nice. The composition is good and the soundtrack is nice too. I was invested in the characters enough to sit through the slow pace. Over all I am enjoying this show and will continue to watch through to the end.

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Such a potential, such a waste

The story was the strong point at the beginning. Very enjoyable until after the hackathon, quite a good balance between the Cyrano plot and the start-up construction. Very touching characters from HPJ to NDS and a strong SDM.
The second part was a disaster, no more balance, the start-up plot is no more. And I think the writer has been arrogant. Cyrano is a masterpiece since 250 years, the peak of romantisme. An adaptation is a good idea, but to switch from Cyrano (HPJ) to Christian (NDS) is such a challenge. To succeed would have marked the writer as a master, but like expected, it is an epic fail. Such a waste in the second part because there was so much potential.
The start-up plot (in fact the 3 years between In Jae and SDM would have been interesting) should have go on. Instead of focusing on the love triangle, if the writer really wanted to ship NDS and SDM, writing on a beautiful friendship between HJP and SDM could have been great - for example by using the orphanage Delluna plot (hello Kim Chan Sun). As with NDS father (whose discussion with In Jae regarding manpower reduction is one of the few bright points of the second part), it could have show more the drawback of the startup nation.
The actors were not so good (apart KSH and Granma who are great). That was not so flagrant in the first part, but the second part with the weak plot, NDS and SDM became irritating. I came to the show because of Suzy I liked in Vagabond. But I won't try another drama with her because of Start Up. And I won't even try to remember the NDS actor name. Another drama with KSH, I will go.

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What a waste of talents

It has definitely joined the category of the drama that could have been but wasn’t.

Just like Itaewon Class, it started with a bang, but lost it way half-way through the plot. Started with a promising plot about underdogs relatable backstory, but I really have no idea why it went to makjang instead of keeping the original plot. There were so many potential (the supporting cast is really good) but executed poorly and become typical romance drama.
The interaction between Han Ji Pyeong and Grandmother was barely carrying this drama.

But on the bright side, finally Kim Seon Ho got the popularity he deserves and we got Yeo Jin Goo as cameo.

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A promising start that sunk in the end

Ever since the writers can't decide whether to cater to the mass of fans OR follow their own ending that is regrettably illogical, it has resulted in confusing plot development, a jumpscare revenge, an attempt of villanifying the heart of the show that is Han Ji Pyeong, whose main weakness is he's too good/is blunt (wtf), change a character's personality as they please to serve their plot therefore making inconsistent actions and nonsensical outbursts. This drama has problems figuring out if they want to stick to reality and fairytales by making up plots for both. As a result, Seo Dal Mi flies in between them without making much progress with either.

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A problemática do retrato da vida adulta

Além de brigas por quem é melhor para a personagem principal acho que Start-up falha miseravelmente em retratar o início da vida adulta. Nenhum drama é fidedigno a realidade, mas a proposta inicial do drama não condiz em nada com o que foi representado na trama. A proposta de apresentar os desafios de jovens empreendedores que sonham em mudar de vida é excelente, mas ao romantizar em excesso a história que mira no Vale do Silício acaba acertando na Disney.

Durante o drama fiquei fortemente com a impressão de ter dois núcleos: os jovens(sonhadores e determinados a mudar o mundo – sempre vistos como mocinhos) e os adultos(insensíveis e cruéis – sempre retratados como os antagonistas destruidores de sonhos). Essa combinação poderia resultar em algo interessante, mas isso não ocorre, como resultado fica a permanente sensação de que a função do núcleo adulto é servir de culpado e responsável por resolver os problemas.

Somando isso as mensagens “navegar sem mapa” e “siga seus sonhos” o dorama passa uma mensagem, ao meu ver, perigosa e um tanto desrespeitosa. Perigosa por fantasiar algo de maneira completamente irreal, dando ao público a impressão errada/alegórica sobre o que se propõe a tratar. E desrespeitosa com todos aqueles que estão de alguma forma envolvidos nesse mundo: na vida real seguir seus sonhos não é suficiente e navegar sem um mapa quase sempre vai te matar.

A problemática do triângulo amoroso é polêmica então prefiro não explorá-la, mas achei cansativo e mal explorado(plot das cartas). Pra mim o desenvolvimento das relações(familiar e amorosa) do protagonista, Do San, foi bem errático, não notei desenvolvimento do personagem só a troca do seu objeto de dependência(outro ponto que poderia ser muito melhor desenvolvido). A protagonista começa maravilhosa(forte, independente e decidida), mas em determinado ponto parece que a personagem se esquece disso e a partir daí são incontáveis minutos de mais uma donzela chorona em perigo na tela. Sr. Han, pra mim, é a ponta mais saudável do triângulo amoroso e o personagem com maior complexidade e crescimento emocional no decorrer da trama(dada a temática da trama ele é a voz da razão e o personagem que mais me trouxe a noção de realidade dentro). In Jae foi uma personagem muito mal aproveitada (passou de personagem secundária a participação especial, no meio da trama tive a sensação que ela só estava ali para ser a salvadora da irmã), as cenas dela com a avó e o pai adotivo são a grande prova de que havia muito mais a se explorar.

Minha conclusão: a proposta é ótima, mas só prova que “navegar sem um mapa” pode te matar.

Aos que querem ver um show de atuação, e de quebra algumas lágrimas, recomendo assistir as cenas do Sr.Han com a Sra.Choi. Sem dúvida é a relação mais linda e madura de toda essa história.

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El guión y la actuación son geniales

La verdad no me gusta ver series que todavía no esta al aire completa . Pero no aguante las ganas de verla y dije sí me gusta el capitulo 1, sigo. Fue genial, la historia esta muy buena.

Como no esta terminada solo diré lo que me gusta:
1.- Me encanta que la historia este enmarcada en un tema tan actual y sea super real.
2.- un principio con un pasado complicado que arma la historia de 15 años después, por ahora todo a encajado muy bien.
3.- Amo a Suzy, en todas sus series, sus papeles son desafiantes y en esta lo esta haciendo muy bien.
4.- Nam Joo Hyuk actúa muy, muy bien, me convencí que era él. Fue tanto que me puse a ver otras series de él, y esta bien, no tanto como aqui, lo que significa que aquí, su personaje esta muy bien armado y dirigido.
5.- Me gusta que justo a la mitad de la serie sigamos dudando con quien se queda ella. Los dos son geniales y cualquiera puedes ser, muy emocionante esperar para seguir viéndola.
6.- Me encanta que aparte del romance hay una historia de superación entre los protagonistas, que aunque el romance sea importante, esta otra parte le da toda la fuerza para ser totalmente creíble.
7.- Aunque odio esperar por los demás capítulos, siento que la hace más interesante, da espacio a hacer elucubraciones y estar mas expectante.

Mis peticiones son:
Por favor que el final sea bueno, por favor logren que no me decepciones de esta historia.
Al final actualizare esta reseña, por ahora se las aconsejo 100%.

ACTUALIZACIÓN
No me decepcionó, estoy muy feliz con esta serie, me encantó todo la historia, todos los personajes, como todo tenía su parte en la historia de los otros, como se desarrollaron, como había detalles tan lindo, como me hicieron sonreír todo el rato, como esperaba cada capitulo con ansias, de verdad la amé.
Me deja una sensación de esperanza, de querer perseguir mis sueños, eso es genial, la vería de nuevo feliz.

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A complete waste of time.

This series only gave me a lot of frustrations.
It only needed to be 12 episodes yet the dumbfuck writer felt the need to stretch it out. The writer created this deep connection and backstory for the second male and female lead to just to throw it towards the end like it's nothing. The first male lead was extremely unlikable due to his hideous personality. For the first half of the series all he did was self loathing and cried all the time. Not to mention that he never owns to any of his wrong doings. Yet the female lead is still head over heals for him. The 3 year time jump didn't do anything significant development to any of the characters. Tsmsksmskmsmsmsmznxxnnsjkxkkxkkkskkzkkskskssknsndnd ddnnxdnndbebdnbdndnxnnxndjdjdnxbxjjdjendnjjkdkwkskdk.....kdjdjsjjejejdjjfjdkekieieidiidkdkoeo..njdkksslspodnnsnsnksnndqiejsbpsjwsudihfbhdiisjwkznaqsbz8w0whqvsjsoqkqjwoeuvd Snsosbdbbdbjeoksndndjwkdkkdjjsnendjkejeje.




JUST DON'T WATCH THIS ...IT'S A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.

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START UP WASN’T JUST A BAD DRAMA. IT WAS HORRIDLY UNACCEPTABLE.

worst main leads. worst progression. worst character developments. the declining writing. worst message possible to relay to your demographic.

wondering why people are so mad when there are far more worse dramas, huh phr and och? it’s because it started so good, with all its potential, and ended so damn despicable. we really thought it would be the drama of the year but you astoundingly turned it into an abominable excuse of a petty love triangle. how you crafted a great first half only for the drama to go downhill is still a mystery to all of us. why did you choose to go that way? how could brilliant minds come up with that? is s**p the one behind this BS? (are you okay?)

because seriously, the only good that came out of this was the han ji pyeong moments. he’s stellar. he’s the only one who deserves a star in my acting/cast rating.

other than that, i’m telling you now. run while you still can and stay the hell away from this crap. save yourselves from the misery.

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What happened, writer PHR?

This show’s pilot week episodes (1&2) roped me in. 10/10. Beautiful cinematography especially the cherry blossoms.

This show had great potential only to disappoint me in the second half. But the Hackaton /Demo Day narratives were enjoyable. But this is the show’s fatal flaw: it milked too much on the romance subplot.

I have issues with the character development of NDS and SDM: weak and inconsistent. Nam Do-san has too many red flags esp. his violent tendencies and stalking. He also cries a lot esp. on the second half, which I find unnecessary and an overkill. He was likeable to me on the first few episodes but I totally got turned off when he punched his mentor (which doesn’t make sense to me) then begs for help. He smashes a CEO’s nameplate, almost went to jail but HJP’s advice to SDM to record the meeting got him out of the woods. But I never got to see how NDS took responsibility for his mistakes; even in a simple way like thanking or apologizing to people. He’s full of angst and arrogance more evidently on the second half. He never suffered any consequences for such actions like when he recklessly signed the Acqhire with 2STO, he got rich and became a hotshot in return? How come punishment doesn’t get back to bite him through consequence?

NDS is lucky because he’s got a plot armor working for his advantage. SDM was too hard to read on the second half. Narrative is almost quiet to her POV after the truth about the letters was revealed. But I can never forgive the writer for the emotional injustice and cruelty she brought to Han Ji Pyeong’s character. The show presented him too well with a strong backstory, only to throw him off in the second half. He was overused but nothing really worked for him despite his efforts. Won In Jae was a letdown, underutilized character.

The letters, as a literary tool, was not given a proper send-off. They should’ve at least respected the sincerity, comfort and warmth that went with the letters. HJP and SDM wrote quite a lot but there was never an instance they talked about it at least and gave a proper closure. I also strongly feel that SDM should end up with HJP; if only HJP was given a plot armor for an even fight.

I also have a problem with how underutilized Won In jae’s character. She has so much potential. I’d love more side stories on how she’s winging it as a Lady Boss.

The male and female lead’s love story is too hard to root for. I can never support what the writer is shoving down my throat. A “true love” that is too forced and lacking in chemistry is what I got. In my two decades of KDrama experience, this is the first time I didn’t like the leads coming together. Really, I didn’t find their romance fluttering. No amount of kissing scenes and skinship between the NDS and SDM has convinced me. Too hard-sell romance.

I also find the morals in question: sailing off without a map vs wisdom that comes from experience. As an older audience, you really can’t sail off without a map in real life when lives depend on you. There’s a thing in life called calculated risk.

If you want to watch this, go and just watch the Start-up (business) dynamics or end at EP7. Or if you are curious of the excellent fleshing out of roles of Kim Hae Sook and Kim Seon Ho. A+ for their chemistry. Solid acting from both actors who played grandma and HJP.

The show’s greatest and heartwarming scenes are from grandma and HJP. I am always in tears watching them together. It is very raw, sometimes funny, yet sincere. Get some Kleenex ready. I always look forward to their set.

Character development dark horse hands down is Kim Yong-san of Samsan Tech —low key but flawless. Nothing forceful. But I find his mini-revenge plot unnecessary.

I liked the supporting characters: Sa-ha & Chul-san, and HJP’s hoobae Park Dong Chun.

I barely have time to make a review, so take my word on this. Watching this is like watching your car crash and burn in slo-mo especially the second half. This drama gave me pain and frustration over wasted potential because the foundation was done right but for some reasons, the plot did not make sense towards the end. I will never watch this a second time.

The 7/10 score I gave for its story is all for the first half of the show that is interesting and beautifully made. Rewatch value — I have no reason to see it a second time in full unless I missed Halmeoni and Good Boy (but I’ll go straight to their scenes only). So the 2/10 score is for them.

I place great importance on rewatch value since I also like watching a lot of American series and movies, and I still repeat some feel-good ones like ‘13 Going On 30, ‘ ‘Legally Blonde’, Never Been Kissed.’

Even funny ones like ‘Home Alone’, tearjerkers like ‘Me Before You’, or ‘If Only’, or long series like, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, or ‘Starwars’, I can rewatch anytime despite knowing the plot like the back of my hand.

Start-up is definitely not a 1 or a 10. So a piece of advice, read those who reviewed rating this with 6-8 because they make sense.

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