This is a very informative, inspiring, & heartwarming show. This show breaks stereotypes, breaks gender roles, & loves differentiation. It was my first time to watch a Kdrama where Nam Joo Hyuk & Kim Seon Ho are included in the cast but it’s very clear to me that the main male lead is Nam Joo hyuk. Dosan’s (Joohyuk) apperance in ep 1 is short but impactful. Episode 1 laid the foundation on what will be the main plot & who are the main characters. It’s clear as day that Dalmi(Bae Suzy) & Dosan(Joo hyuk) are the main characters where the main plot which is about “Start-Up” and its theme “Youth Coding Romance” revolve. The letters were plot devices to help Dosan & Dalmi meet. I cried buckets in episode 1 because of Dalmi & Injae’s father - Mr. Cheong Myeong. He’s the beginning of “Start-Up”. He’s the Sandbox! I really love the show & people around me also love it. A lot of people I know from the start-up company industry, IT or Computer Science/AI field even those from academe watched a Kdrama for the first time because of Start-Up. We watched it as what it is and we were unbothered by the “unnecessary noise”. By the way this show was highly recommended by one of the most respected marketing gurus in PH and a 2002 Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the World awardee - Josiah Go. You can google his review about Start-Up. Even founders of a start-up company like Platzi (a Guatemalan-Colombian educational platform) tweeted their amazement about the show.

It is a well-thought out & well-researched show. The team worked closely with Sparklabs South Korea (real-life Sandbox/start-up incubator). Thanks to the genius writer Park Hye Ryun, brilliant director Oh Choong Hwan and to the whole cast and crew for giving us a wonderful show during pandemic. Go watch it and be comforted, be informed, & be inspired. Let’s continue to spread love, not hate.