Start-Up (2020): Follow Your Dream!
For those who have big dreams, I suggest you to watch Start-Up!
Start-Up (2020) is a mega-hit Korean Drama from the director Oh Choong-hwan and writer Park Hye-ryun. Starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Kang Han-na as Won In-jae, and others, this drama presented the story of dreamers in achieving their goal, especially in IT business. Start-Up aired on Netflix and tvN since October 17.
The final episode just aired on December 6th and left huge impressions from the audience. The ending was quite good although it can’t satisfy everyone. I won’t talk about the huge war of ‘DoDal’ and ‘JiDal’. In this review, I’ll talk about the story of each character in achieving their dreams.
In episode 14, we know in this scene when Han Ji-pyeong argued with Nam Do-san about which one is better, sail off with a map or without a map? After watching the full episodes, we can get the whole point of the series within that question.
For those who prefer to sail off with a map, they may be a planner, realistic, goal-oriented, ambitious, and strong. Han Ji-pyeong and Won In-jae are perfect examples. Han Ji-pyeong’s personal background has made him into a heartless and self-centered man. With the money his late parents left when he was a high-school student, he increased it into tenfold the amount by Seo Dal-mi’s grandma’s help. Then 15 years passed, he got the Senior Manager position in SH Venture Capital — VC that founded by the Sandbox’s CEO.
Then, let’s talk about Won In-jae, who choosed to live with her mother and her rich stepfather. At first, we may dislike In-jae’s character because she looked like an ‘evil sister’ to Seo Dal-mi who choosed to stay by her father’s side after the divorce. But then, we’ll see that Won In-jae is actually a realistic, independent, and goal-oriented person who can stand on her own. She also entered Sandbox by her own competency and experience in Nature Morning (her stepdad’s company), then she managed her company well.
Next, for those who enjoy sailing off without a map, you may prefer to follow the flow, and enjoy the present moment as long as you’re happy. Seo Dal-mi and Samsan Trio (Do-san, Chul-san, Yong-san) are the perfect example. Seo Dal-mi went through a few paths in her life before she entered Sandbox. After dropping out from college, she became a part-timer in her grandma’s corn dog stall and a cafe. But when In-jae suddenly appeared before her eyes, she ensured herself to be one of Korean’s Steve Jobs — to beat In-jae. Then, she accidentally met the trio Samsan and Jeong Sa-ha and joined hands to build a start-up in Sandbox.
After the sudden tragedy of Samsan Tech (when Samsan was acquired by Alex’s 2STO and the trio decided to work with them in Silicon Valley), Dal-mi was forced to lower her pride and joined Injae Company as a COO. But after three years passed, she founded her own company named Cheong Myeong Company (inspired by her late father’s name). Do-san, Chul-san, and Yong-san also succeeded as 2STO’s employees. When they finally decided to go back to Korea for good, they tried to build a startup and looked for investors. But they actually haven’t changed. Their IT skill may be excellent, but still haven’t competency in growing business. Then, the ex-Samsan team also joined and scaled up their company into a unicorn start up.
Last, there are also people who’ve made their goal, but found out that they’re stuck in the wrong way. Jeong Sa-ha’s character describes it well. She was a successful lawyer who didn’t like her exhausting job. So she decided to join Sandbox and fated to be part of Samsan Tech as UI/UX designer. Although she was also forced back to her previous job in legal company after the Samsan Tech’s tragedy, she lived well with it.
In the final episode, all the characters get their happy ending. The Samsan team are reunite in Cheong Myeong Company and eventually success. Han Ji-pyeong and Seo In-jae are also gaining more success in their career, and also as the Cheong Myeong’s shareholders. As Park Chan-ho said to Nam Do-san back then, “Follow your dream”. Whatever path you fit in, live it well and don’t let people’s opinion become reality.
Overall, this series is quite-good to watch. But let me give you a little warning; don’t expect too much. I’m not going to tell you since it may be a spoiler.
