Start Up: Spoiler-Free Mini Review
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Title: | Start Up (2020) |
Platform: | Netflix, TVING |
MDL & IMBD Rating: | |
Genre: | Contemporary Romance/ Business |
Episode Count: | 16 |
Parental Guidance Rating: | PG-13: Substances (Alcohol), Language-- Overall, pretty clean |
Starring: | Bae Suxy (While You Were Sleeping) Nam Joo Hyuk (Twenty One Tweny Five) Kim Seon Ho (Hometown Cha Cha Cha) Kang Han Na (Bon Appetit, Your Majesty) |
RBTS Rating: | 3.7/5 Stars  |
Cast From Left to Right: #BaeSuzy, #KimSeonHo, #NamJooHyuk, #KangHanNa, #KimHaeSook
Synopsis:
Seo Dal Mi dreams of building her own company despite lacking resources, driven by ambition and pioneering spirit. Nam Do San, the founder of Sam San Tech, struggles with limited vision as his company falters, unaware that fate is about to turn in his favor. Han Ji Pyeong, a pragmatic and debt-bound mentor, holds the power to determine the rise or fall of start-ups. Meanwhile, Won In Jae, frustrated by unrecognized hard work, seeks to prove herself in a male-dominated industry. @MDL
Stay Tuned: Full Review Still to Come!
Spoiler-Free Mini Review:
Start Up is a drama in which men shed many tears, featuring the love story of a random man and his surrogate grandmother lol. I kid, I kid...
This controversial drama had audiences split when the finale aired, as the show, and the marketing in large, didn't follow the staple format of "Male Lead" and "Second Male Lead", instead having the identity of the "Male Lead" be revealed only at the end. Both Nam Do San and Han Ji Pyeong were given meaty Male Lead-esque roles, and I thought it was obvious who Seo Da Mi (FL) would pick, but many viewers were caught off guard with the resolution. Bae Suzy (Seo Dal Mi) had excellent chemistry with both suiters, so I would have been fine either way, but I'm personally glad it went the way it did.
Romance aside, Start Up had such a unique and insightful premise, tailor made for those interested in business. And love. The characters are constantly put to the test when they enter the "Sandbox", an institution that guides young entrepreneurs as they work on innovating and funding their start up companies. Essentially, it's business school that raised the stakes in the drama as the characters tie their hopes and self worth to their success while there.
Without giving anything away, my biggest issue with the narrative is the disconnectedness of one major character. This person was always on the periphery, which undermined their role.
I'm bummed that Second Lead Syndrome has caused people to write this drama off, because it was so much more than that. If you fear the FL picking the wrong guy might ruin your watch, I'd recommend spoiling it for yourself beforehand, because it might help knowing destination to understand the journey.
Fun Fact: There is a Thai and Filipino remake of the series, so make sure you are watching the one you have in mind:
Story=3.5, Acting=4.25, Production Quality=5, Ending= 4.5, Enjoyability= 4, Would I rewatch= Maybe
Trailer:
Director: #OhChoonHwan (Melo Movie, While You Were Sleeping, Big Mouth)
Screenwriter: #ParkHyeRyun (Castaway Diva, While You Were Sleeping)
*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the images used on this blog. All images belong to their respective copyright holders and are used for commentary and review purposes. All reviews, opinions, and statements expressed on this blog are my own and are intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. They reflect my personal thoughts and interpretations and should not be considered as factual.
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