118 Comments On “Start-Up: Eps 15 & 16 Open Thread”
packmule3
FYI. The anagram for the ransomware:
“Apollo and Artemis” are twins.
The twins are the hackers.
Dosan can use this info against Morning Group obviously
Diane
While I wish the writer did this earlier I’m finally glad the love triangle is over. I wish there were more sister scenes, mother-halmeoni-Dalmi scenes, bromance and sleepovers where Jipyeong and Dosan are being immature and petty in funny way.
#DoDalEndgame FTW!
Ella
The scooby gang back together again, i missed them so much, tweeter said that writer-nim change ep15 script multiple times.
🙂 Who said that? The writer herself? Who are the sources of that tweet? Are they verified or authorized spokesperson for the writer or director?
Or JP fans?? lol.
If not coming from legitimate source, don’t feed it with useless speculation. Twitter spreads disinformation like a hooker spreads STD.
hafunohane
we got NOM dosan this episode wohooo! i hope DS understood now the full extent of how important his nice, big hands are to DM 🙂
@PM3 omg you got it! i gasped when i saw yongsan’s notebook with those names written on it (credit goes to petty chulsan who kicked the notebook out and smart saha who is good at anagrams). our gang doesn’t need JP running to save the day after all! :p
i believe the twins are not aware of evil stepbrother’s dirty move w/ the reporter? or am i wrong to assume this?
also i can’t help but get excited about the preview!!! i hope tarzan is finally getting jane her rock :p
Tarzan should give Jane a BIG rock. hahaha. How much is an engagement ring now? Used to be a rock should be about 3 months salary. But hey, he can give her a Cracker Jack fake prize ring as long as he “puts a ring on it” already.
Beingwritten
Just came to say I’m goanna miss this show so much, we’re almost there and we finally also came full circle this episode, our characters are right back to where they left of, this time grown, changed and better. Dosan and Dalmi have reunited and I’m so happy.
Ella
@packmule3
your last sentence cracked me up, but you’re right i should not go there.
I love the little scene where jp realize that he will never win, he’s an investor and he should know to cut one’s losses
and I want Tarzan to give Jane the biggest rock 2STO money can buy lol..
John L
A visually impaired person guiding someone that hasn’t lifted a finger most of her life in a business venture … that’s sailing without a map, right? I just like the whole chain of decisions that leads to the story.
Ms. Cha – Just stepping up to her filial duties. Using alimony to rent commercial space for Ms. Choi to get her out of her funk.
Ms. Choi – Her decision to go along w/ the brick & mortal hot dog business which affected Dalmi’s decision to move ahead w/ the bid.
Ms. Seo – Who needs Tarot App when you got Ms. Choi. Her using the app that many times in that time span was pretty hilarious.
I haven’t watched the whole thing. I just watched the Dosan Dalmi parts. (test drive, elevator scene, scene in front of the walls x2, scene when they were walking back to the run and Dosan picked up notebook with Artemis and Apollo).
But if I get this correctly, if Mrs. Cha bought a commercial space for her mother-in-law to get her out of her blue funk, then she really didn’t intend to make the business venture a money-earner. That would be a nice gesture.
Hopefully, Granny doesn’t use her NoonGil to check on the corndog appearance. Noongil could say something like, “an elongated object that looks like a beautiful poop” or something.
JM
Morning group just set a trap against itself. The “news” they shared to the reporters will surely backfire. Firstly, the developers in charge when the ransomware incident happened are their current developers. Also, the twins walked out of office when Dosan came in to fix the issue cause they knew DS can fix it. It was an inside job done by them to extort money and at the same time, stage a reason to resign from Chungmyung company before joining MG.
Dosan saw Yongsan’s progress on the notes and he knew instantly who the culprits are after seeing it. So the interview surely went well.
The closing scene of JP running with urgency might be for another reason cause he doesn’t need to save them from the reporter.
🙂 Ella, anybody can say what he/she liked or didn’t like about the ending. Or a person can suggest an alternative ending. That’s fair. But to say that the writer/director had intended X but they went with Y, is a common tactic done by disgruntled fans. I would only believe it if the director or writer did a press statement or press release.
I haven’t listened to JP’s scenes. Will do later.
yion
Im so annoyed with ppol on socmed hating on DS and DM lmao. Because of there “Good Boy” being the loser,,,
totally gonna miss this show after all,,, im so happy that DS and DM are back together and im so excited for the final episode tomorrow!!
Illusyn
I see my self very much in the DM’s scene when she keeps using the app to decide what to do.
Although I am not superstitious, very often when I have to decide between two alternatives I throw a coin. It doesn’t matter what the outcome is, but the feeling I get after seeing the outcome. If I am relieved it means that I unconsciously want to make that decision otherwise the opposite.
The fact that she keeps trying is the answer she can’t see 🙂
My mission yesterday was to fight against improvised business expert that pop up after the 3 min preview was released, so I spammed motivational speeches by Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos etc.
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
Cinnabom
@yion Agreed. If you look at the top posts, it’s always people roasting Do San and mocking Dal Mi’s reasons for liking him. They’re totally missing the point of why she said she liked his hands. For them, Dal Mi liking Do San just because makes no sense. It’s possible to be drawn to someone and not be able to explain it. To me, Do San and Dal Mi are kindred spirits who went through the same hardships to achieve their dreams. Dal Mi recognized that in Do San early on.
The show was pretty blatant with Dal Mi and Do San as end game as early as the first episode (cherry blossom flying to Nam San Tech as “Future” by Red Velvet plays). The lyric are pretty telling. I feel like people would save themselves a lot of pain and heart ache if they just paid attention instead of hate-watching the series in denial.
Look, Yion. There’s nothing we can do about JP fangirls. So leave them be and don’t check their tweets. What’s the point?
They were the silly ones who built up this love triangle.
I’ve been saying here that JP was NOT a real contender for Dalmi. He never was a real competition for Dosan because this writer ALWAYS makes the BETTER guy win the girl’s heart. Anybody with moral standards of a kindergartner (haha) could see that JP wasn’t a good person while Dosan was Buddha. lol.
I even said that the scrunchie incident in Episode 8 was the dealbreaker. That was an asshole move by an second-leading character, male or female, in a typical drama. The writer put that scene for a reason.
Also, that lady in red? I said that lady in red was predicting JP’s future. He was Mr. Regrets because:
a. he regrets a lot of things
b. he always acts late
But what I was looking, and most of us here, is a rehabilitation of JP’s character so he actually lives up to his nickname “Good Boy.”
moonstar512
I am so excited to see how Dosan and team would use the info of Apollo and Artemis in the next episode..
Oh and I like the scene when Dosan is helping her mother preparing breakfast and asked about the side dish for Jipyeong. I was like 🥺🥺🥺.. Oh Dosan, what a misunderstood beautiful beautiful soul you are..
@John L
Yess, that was what I thought too!
I love the scene between Dalmi and her grandmother in the morning, and Dalmi and her mom. I finally got to see the mother’s happiness expression of her. Like Dalmi has forgiven her and she is thankful for her. It was so heartwarming 😊
And like @beingwritten said, I will going to miss this show too, reading all the posters comments, packmule3 amazing threads and analysis.. I learned a lot and I’m so happy.
🙂 No. I actually see it the other way, Illusyn. To me, Dalmi kept on using the app because SHE already KNEW that she wanted Dosan’s option — which was to bid on the contract. That’s why she was only focused on Dosan’s words, and not JP’s words. Deep down, she WANTED to do what Dosan said.
However, she also knew that there was going to be a big problem if she went with Dosan’s plan. It was a risky business. It could be a reckless move. She could jeopardize the company and so on.
So she asked the Tarot cards. The Tarot card said, No, you’ll get hurt. Don’t make any rash decision.
Then, she asked it again. And again. And again.
Now, I grew up with brothers and I raised boys. If they kept asking me several times after I already said NO!!!, then it was because they really wanted me to agree with them. They’re trying to see if I would change their mind.
Do you see what I’m saying?
It’s like when you have a medical condition, and you don’t like the doctor’s advice. Then you simply go ask another doctor and another doctor until you get the doctor who’ll tell you what you want to hear. You’re “shopping” for advice. 🙂
Same here.
Dalmi wanted to go with Dosan’s plan. She kept asking the Tarot HOPING that the Tarot would change its “mind” and give her the answer she wanted. She was insisting because she really wanted to bid on the contract… like Dosan advised her.
So when she went outside and talked to her Grandma. Grandma commented on her corndog business, saying, “Oh well, what can I do? We still have to try.” And Dalmi pounced on that. She considered that as a “sign” from the gods or a go-signal to go along with Dosan’s plan.
See that? She was only looking for an EXCUSE. If the Grandma had said something else, like “Oh! This corndog stand is really a risky business,” Dalmi would have delayed her business decision until she found a “sign” from somewhere else.
Do you see what I mean? She was looking for reason/heavenly sign/fate to give the thumbs up to Dosan. She wasn’t going to take NO for answer.
🙂
grace
This MVP episode. MVP meaning Minimum Viable Product. I initially thought they meant Most Valuable Player.
Also I can’t believe after working on the self-driving car for weeks/months, Dosan and Dalmi still didn’t talk about what’s going on with them and the misunderstanding they have. Then I realized that Dosan must have continued to assume that JP & Dalmi is together or that Dalmi likes JP. So when JP asked Dosan when they were drunk-
JP: You’ll love her forever knowing it won’t be reciprocated?
Dosan: Yes. I’ll love her forever *swooon*
That scene got me. You can’t call Dosan selfish or greedy for that. He had admitted defeat and was going to accept that. I’m glad JP eventually gave Dosan enough reason to pursue Dalmi back though he said it in his usual critical tone…(and still no apologies for being the wedge between Dosan and Dalmi)
“I was going to keep playing dumb, knowing how dull-witted you are. But I can’t. … With those hands alone you beat our memories.”
Yes, Dosan never asked her about JP. He just went along with his assumption that he’d been replaced.
That’s why his decision in “A Long Road” to just carry her with him, and take her with him even if it’s a burden on him (despite his misconception that he was unloved) makes him truly one of of the good guys out there. He accepted his “loss” and bore the pain.
🙂
Illusyn
Thanks pm3 for enlightening the scene. I got it now.
I never thought at the “shopping for advice” behavior.
I will use your explanation for some self analysis 🙂
@grace also for me was quite satisfying the closure of triangle by JP. He remained consistent with his character.
I mean if we contextualize their age, JP went from 33 to 36 and usually the growth rate in this age period is slower than the period between 26-29 so I think this is an additional point of credibility for the drama. He improved but just a little with respect to the DS. So for me it is not surprising that he didn’t apologize to ds
Ella
@grace
the word for DoSan’s i’ll love her forever here is actually very romantic “천년만년” or a thousand years ten thousand years.. 😍
Idungkulitayam
I’m totally dosan dalmi shipper but I must say I cried a little when jp said “it’s okay. This is enough” while staring at the plant and letters
grace
@pm3, ah yes the long road! That joins the dots for me…the scene from ep14. Will that put him under best boyfriend award, though I’m sure he doesn’t surpass XiaoNai?
@Illusyn, I am glad of the closure of the love triangle. Only JP can end that misunderstanding that he started when Dosan came back. They started with envy for each other and now acceptance (albeit reluctantly) with Dosan so much forgiving than JP.
Also some very late nuggets of info I just discovered, that Yeo Jin-gu was the voice of Noongil. 😛 and that this director of StartUp was the director of Hotel del Luna (one of my fav dramas that I do not mind watching again)
Wait. JP got both the plant and the letters? ALL the letters?
I said I didn’t care about the plant. And most of the letters could go.
But Dosan didn’t keep the “music box” letter? Or the “sail without a map” letter? lol. I thought Dosan could keep that one or both of these letters, and give him back the rest. Interesting.
grace
@Ella, 😍😍😍😍😍😍 that is so beautiful! the Hangul words looks so consistently beautiful too.
Tsukiko
Ep 15 left me fully satisfied. I’m impressed with Joo Hyuk’s acting here. His expression when he tried hard to be civil towards JP in the elevator (JP tried to make him jealous and argued his persuasion to DM plus he still assumed JP and DM in a relationship). His honest drunk talk with JP. His overwhelming emotions when he finally came again to DM after 3 years. And wrapped up by the return of his long lost signature smile that we barely saw after he went to 2STO. Once again, the man got the chance to follow his dream. Joo Hyuk did an excellent job portraying Dosan’s range of emotions here.
It’s a great conclusion for Dosan and Dalmi, but obviously not for large number of other viewers, lol. What intrigued me was some of them protested why DS didnt even thank JP for him being selfless letting Dalmi go. Uh… why the need to thank a person who had tricked him into false assuming him and DM had a relationship? if not for that, DS and DM reunion would take place sooner without any complication. JP basically being the culprit there.
Anyway that made me realize us and them kind of living in different SU dimension. They have their own SU story, so best to let them be even tho it pierced my heart to see how ugly they have bashed the main leads, even the director and writer. Still in awe why there were so many of them, means many people didnt actually comprehend what the whole drama is all about. But whatever, i guess they need to vent anyway.
Even tho it’s not flawless, but i personally think SU is a great drama. I’ve been emotionally involved with its story and characters and i will miss them a lot. The reunion of SST 2.0/Cheong Myeong was also one of the best moments in ep 15. Looking forward to how Park Hye Ryeon would wrap up the whole story in ep 16 tomorrow.
Snow Flower
Just one more hurdle left for Dosan and Dalmi! Looking forward to them exposing the shady dealings of Morning AI.
Fern
@packmule3, DoSan photographed the letter with his phone. Later, he let Jipyeong take both the money tree and the tin of letters.
It was like a gift for DoSan to find Dalmi in front of the wall of tags. I liked that DoSan preempted Dalmi’s search for his tag; he both wanted to bid on the project and wanted her to read the words he wrote on his first day, “To clear up a misunderstanding.’
My heart was dropping when Dalmi looked uneasily away from DoSan and said she didn’t know the reason she liked him and why does he keep asking that question? But DoSan is more confident and asks again. Finally Dalmi answers him, with a subtly defiant tilt of her head. ‘Do I need a reason? I just like you. I don’t need a reason to like you. Because it’s you. You’re the reason. That’s all there is to it.’
This is when no reason is the best reason of all. This was the perfect answer for DoSan. It has nothing to do with skills, attributes, or achievements. Her love for him is an organic sort of love, indivisible, unconditional, unlimited. It compliments DoSan’s admission to Jipyeong that he would love her forever.
I thought the scene was very well directed and shot. -.Sometimes looking at Dalmi over DoSan’s shoulder or visa versa; sometimes from across the room half-hidden behind some object as though eavesdropping on them; even from above as though overlooking them from another floor. I kept thinking someone else would appear; Director Yoon perhaps or Jipyeong.
nrllee
@Fern. I got the feeling that whilst Dalmi had moved on from the letters, DoSan had not. The fact that Dalmi said she before that she liked him because he was her first love, those letters and his big hands (out of those 3 reasons, his hands were the only ones that he could lay claim to). It felt like he wanted to keep those letters to reread them so he could somehow become more like the DoSan of the letters? To solidify his place in her heart? But there was no need. And JP in his final act of grace (mind you he’s never apologized for his jerk actions in the past and probably never will 🙄) took those letters with him, assuring DS that he didn’t need them anymore. That DM liked him for who he was. But naturally DS needed to hear it from the horse’s mouth. And so again persisted in asking her what it was about him that she liked, now that everything is out in the open. And she gave him the answer he needed to hear. She liked him for who he is. Aww… and I agree, that scene was shot perfectly. You could hear the echoes of their voices in that room as they spoke. Witnessed by all those baubles of wishes/dreams as a backdrop. Well wishes for them to chase that dream together. Sealed with a kiss. 😍
So he took a screenshot of the letter? Just that “music box” letter? And not the “sail without a map” letter? Lol. I really should watch this JP scenes. 😂
The tag scene.
I liked that they were both each other’s reason for joining Sand Box. I knew that she was his reason for joining. “To clear up a misunderstanding.” But I couldn’t figure out how Dosan fitted in HER plan to “take the elevator to the 34th (?) floor.” I’m glad to know that she wanted to follow him (she did say so, too, I just forgot) and be at his level (34th level).
Yes. For Dosan, no reason is the best reason. Just for who he is.
In fact, THAT’S the reason for the title, Fern. MVP. Minimum Value Product. 😂😂 I’ll explain on the blog.
Dalmi liked him for who he was = MVP
Minimum Viable Product
Dosan couldn’t understand bec he was an incomplete, incompetent person. Minimum VIABLE person. He had little value to offer her. But she said she’d accept him for who he was. As is.
No reason.
moonstar512
@nrllee : i’m intrigued when you note that “..JP never apologizes for his jerk actions i the past and probably never will”
I’m also wondering the same thing and I’m asking myself for a long time “why..”
one of the posters also said in another thread that maybe the way halmoni keep telling the affirmation word of “good boy” to him, the way how Dalmi feels okay with JP’s words and not get offended/hurt that bad (maybe she’s hurt but she forget it easily), the way how Director Yoon said to JP that their job is to give feedback even if it’s hurtful and that naturally some will resent them, and how his assistant is never said a single complaint to him of how his behavior sometimes irritating (or maybe his assistant doesn’t feel irritated at all 😅)..
the ones who have said that JP was wrong and should reflect to his attitude is Yongsan. And later he also said that JP’s truth is necessary and so forth.
And so I’m questioning myself and also I am curious too in the writer’s mind, so with these kind of environment how someone who was toxic is realized that he was “that” toxic while he has supports from the ones that he always look up to (Dir Yoon, halmoni, dalmi).. maybe this kind of people would never really feel that they are totally wrong. I imagined this in JP’s mind (yeah maybe im a lil bit wrong but …) there are many buts. So yeah, he maybe won’t feel that he need to apologize to Dosan at all.
And this bring me to.. what if we let this kind of habit growing in our society. We always have reasons for our mistakes, which could make our vision blurry to the fact that we’ve wronged someone or some creatures. It got me thinking too…that later when I become a parent someday, nomatter how I love my kids and think that they are the good boys/girls, if they did a wrong thing/bully someones, I want to be the parent who can say that it is wrong and they have to apologize. I want to point out that they did a bad thing but it doesn’t really mean that they are the bad person. So they still to acknowledge their mistakes, apologize and learn to become a better person.
I think that’s one reason why these fangirls persist on their delusions about JP, and they make excuses for his crappy behavior. The writer doesn’t show him APOLOGIZING to Dosan. Instead, the writer shows us Dosan asking for some food to pack for JP and JP hiding behind the wall post because he sees how good Dosan is.
Wellllllll… without that apology from JP, this whole scene goes over the head of the delusional fangirls. All they see is how cute JP is hiding behind the wall. They don’t attribute SHAME and GUILT to JP because they don’t hear him apologize for those elevator lies.
And that frustrates me about this writer. She lets JP slides. Without his admission of guilt, he still gets to be called “Good Boy.” (He’s cheating!! He’s actually the real cheater here in this drama. lol)
And I dislike how he comes out as the “Good Boy” for “advising” Dosan to “be confident. don’t feel inferior to me. talk to Dalmi.”
The nerve of this guy!!
He was the one who kept telling Dosan that he was inferior. He was the guy who started that shit about Dalmi being “his,” with the scrunchie, and jewelry box. And now, he’s blaming his victim?
Stupid JP fangirls talk about “gaslighting” when they don’t understand the meaning. They should stick to words commensurate with their level of literacy (or illiteracy). lol.
Ella
@packmule3
this reminds me of a quote i heard when i was a teenager that made sunch an impact for me:
“Don’t ask for a reward for doing what you are supposed to be doing in the first place.”
Doing good, be kind, all this are what we are supposed to do anyway.
jp was undoing the things he muddled up in the first place, while i won’t give him gold star or whorshipped him like the fangirl at least this is what i want from him a step in the right direction
and i also agree with you that the bar is set low with him, my expectation of him is very low, and they (Grandma, Director Yoon, etc) probably not excusing but just accepting what he did because he’s the best version of what he’s capable of. They don’t expect a man who only has one talent to produce ten talents.
DoSan is pretty much crucified and now that DalMi made her pick known she’s dragged along with him.
Are you planning on doing another parody?
Sasa13
I remember watching the first ep and thinking that the reason Jipyeong used Dosan’s name is because he was taking a photo with his parents and his win is celebrated by many, unlike Jipyeong who still suffered alone… and i’m glad that (at the very least) Jipyeong admitted that he’s envious.
I think i have a very low bar for Jipyeong now because even after three years he didn’t change. He is still petty and cruel with his words. Now that he backs off i wish the writer won’t make him a “hero” again.
I am quite interested with the preview, Jipyeong saying the letters give him comfort… while i don’t even remember any moment where Jipyeong took the letters to heart? I kinda feel that Jipyeong took the letters for granted at that time and just realize his loss when Dalmi was falling for Dosan.
I agree with moonstar512 point that people close to Jipyeong normalise his behaviour, hence he doesn’t really change his ways… but it is ironic that his fangirls keep whining about Dosan’s lack of growth 😆😆 i think they don’t understand that what is amazing about Dosan is how success doesn’t change his good nature.
Parody? Thank you, but no thank you. It’s very difficult to write parodies because I’ve to get inside the HEAD of a JP fangirl and I’ve kenophobia (fear of empty spaces. lol)
Wait will answer you quickly on the blog.
Nerisa C
Ep 15 is I think my favorite episode. So many happy moments.
The happy result of the test drive with their new group photo where all of them were happy.
Dal Mi and Do San holding hands in a celebratory pose after the test drive.
In Jae again having something to brag about to Mr Won and son.
In Jae pushing Dal Mi to bid in the Smart City vehicle project and saying she’ll support her.
Sa-ha getting jealous over Chul-San’s vlog commenters.
And that Chul-San and Sa-ha kiss! Chul-San getting weak on the knees after hehe.
That one of one of Ji Pyeong and Do San. How they envied one another. At least Ji Pyeong was honest in that scene coz he was drunk.
Do San still caring for Ji Pyeong with a takeout.
The 2nd DoDal kiss! With a beautiful line of “Do I need a reason? Because it’s you. There all of that to it.”
In Jae and Dal Mi discussing the SandBox logo while teasing each other. Even Director Woon was smiling.
Ji Pyeong conceding. (He never wanted to fully invest in the first place to that romance.)
That tense elevator scene where we see the different viewpoints of Do San and Ji Pyeong in business and love.
Dal Mi appreciating her mom for “activating” grandma again from her hibernation.
Chul-San getting jealous of Yong-San with Sa-ha.
Excited for the finale later especially with In-Jae saying she is Seo In-Jae not Won.
nrllee
Yeah @packmule3 @moonstar512 with no apology about past wrongs there will be no change. He’ll just go on being the same sanctimonious jerk that he was in the past? I thought his tears before Grandma was the beginning of some monumental shift in his character but no… whilst he had that fleeting in vino veritas moment in Ep15 he never did admit to any wrongdoing on his part. Just a lame excuse that he was just longing for the warmth of family that DS had (poor lonely boy) – a justification from his point of view? And that somehow absolves him from all his derogatory behavior and snide cutting remarks. 🙄. Bad behavior is bad. Until it is called out for what it is…bad, there will be no impetus to change for the better.
Fern
@nrllee, I agree with what you wrote about Dalmi moving on from the letters but DoSan hadn’t. It was confirmed for me when she watched Chulsan’s vlog. Yes, he had to hear it directly from her and I’m glad he persisted instead of giving up when she couldn’t define her reasons. You said it very well.
I agree with @packmule, DoSan is her MVP and I could also see him as the unique value
product in a Blue Ocean strategy way because for her, he stands outside of any potential competition (insurance guy, JP, others) and not just for his hands. I keep seeing that shot of the catamaran from the air surrounded by blue water.
Off topic a bit: @moonstar512 and @Ella, I think that exaggerated praise, entitlement and lack of responsibility are definitely problematic in our society and it’s seen in many adults who are handing it down to the younger generation. It’s hard to fight against that trend when it seems that entitlement reaps rewards. I think that your sensitivity to this will make you good parents.
Fern
@packmule, I was wrong about DoSan photographing the music box letter. He took his phone out because Jipyeong called him. DoSan said he’d keep the letter and Jipyeong could keep the money tree. Jipyeong then shows up at the house anyway and shames DoSan in front of his family in order to get the letter.
I noticed the Union Jack design on the box the letters were in. Was there something similar on the shelf in R88? I’ve seen it somewhere. Also DoSan’s parents’ home made liqueurs like Deok-sun’s father. I heard a mention of ginseng liquor.
nrllee
@Fern the Union Jack appeared in a lot of the props (when JunWan was around) because it foreshadowed IkJun’s sister IkSun leaving for UK. 😂. It was a blanket (?) draped on the bed (?) that they had in their office (as JunWan slept whilst JunWon was on the phone with the Priest in Italy?). And it appeared elsewhere as props (I think it was also on a tissue box in the Director’s home when JunWan called him to tell him he’d accept the position of Chief of CS). I can’t remember any of the other instances but I am sure if you search hard enough you would find more.
Hopefully, he took a screenshot while JP slept then. Because that’s part of his memories too.
😂 That’s why I wished Dalmi had written him letters too during their 3 year separation. Something like a “Dear Diary.” She could tell him her daily musings.
That would have taken out the sting of her words when she told Dosan he wasn’t the letter writer.
Fern
I knew I saw it somewhere else. So it was HP and I was searching in the wrong drama. 🤦🏼♀️ Thanks @nrllee. ⭐️ I wonder if it’s just something that was popular at a certain point in time and being shown to reference an era? Or if someone from SU will be going to the U.K.?
Fern
@packmule, Dalmi’s thoughts during the 3 years may still come out, but they probably wouldn’t make any difference. I think, like you said before, the Tarzan project undertaken during that time would be her love letter, embellished and confirmed with her words before the campfire at the hut.
Ella
@Fern
amen i surely hope to be a good parent one day
another thoughts on Episode 15, i was wishing that DoDal would reconcile back in the hut on Ep14 and am i glad now that didn’t happen then because we got to see DoSan in all his selfless love for DalMi, staying by her side, supporting her irrespective of his pain. Proving again and again why he’s the hero of the story and why i’m still smitten.
Fern
@Ella, I will wish for you to discover someone with Dosan’s good qualities or even to see them in yourself. He is pretty stellar.
Idungkulitayam
Omgggggg the final episode is sooooo good!!! I’m so content!! My heart is about to burst from happiness!!! (sorry for my excessive exclamation marks) but everything is just so beautiful and satisfying!!!!
Diane
Best ending everrr!!! Super love the power walk. It gave me goosebumps more than the kissing scenes and all other DoDal moments. I’m glad how all loose ends were tied together.
I want to ship NJH and Suzy in real life. Haha!
Sky
I’ve been a reader of this blog since “King Eternal Monarch .” I really do enjoy reading and watching analyses after watching a movie/series or reading a book…to look for a deeper meaning.
I love and appreciate how there’s one for K-drama as well, as I really do enjoy K-dramas.
Reading this blog here makes me really happy…and makes my drama watching complete.
So thank you so much Pm3 and everyone else who’ve been putting in their inputs! I really appreciate you all.
Just finished start up and I started watching this because I’m working on running a marketing agency, a business.
I appreciate the transformation of Dalmi… from wanting to start a business to outdo her unnie Seo In Jae…to running a business to make an impact to the world.
One person I look up to, my mentor, actually started like that. He started in the hopes to buy new shoes for himself and to treat his family to a fast food restaurant once a week.
Now, he’s helping start up businesses mostly in the marketing world scale to 7 figures and ultimately change a whole country (or something like that.) Haha I really enjoyed this drama.
I said I was only in it for the business side, but girl! I enjoyed the love love love as well! awweee.
At first, I really liked JP. But on the 2nd episode, when he trashtalked Do San, Yong San and Chul San when they asked him to mentor them (or invest in them). When he responded to them, I was shocked.
“Wait, that was kinda mean.” Me said..
Anyways, JP still cute tho with his dimples and ol.
And I’ve got to be honest, I was lowkey rooting for him for 13 episodes straight. Without hating on Do San ofcourse, he a sweet pea. It’s just that the way the drama established his character on the first episode stayed with me for 13 episodes straight. And I guess the same thing happened for some of the viewers. Even my sister was confused “please tell me who the lead guy is?” she said.
But, I’m grateful for having read this Blog. I’ve been enlightened. And wow, it’s scary how I haven’t fully recognized JP’s toxic tendencies. Does that say anything about the environment I live in? Does it mean that I maybe being subjected to toxic behavior as well and not noticing (and tolerating) it? And could the other JP swoon-girls could be too?
Now, I want a guy like Dosan. After reading this blog, I was able to look and observe Dosan well. hahaha The way he treats Dalmi was so well. The way he reassures her and believes in her. I’m like…aweeee “muh heart, muh soul”
I’m like “do I really want someone who would discourage me when I want to grow, or someone who would support me in my adventures and endeavors?”
On another topic:
Thank you Pm3 for all the stuff you’ve posted. I’ve read them and was able to enjoy the drama better with a deeper understanding.
“Going on an adventure with the person you choose to love.”
I watched ep 16 with that in mind.
My other inputs:
Heheh I’ve been a long reader of this blog. I’ve attempted to comment so many times hoping I could share something of vaLue.
So lemme try.
On Injae’s transformation : I’ve noticed that Injae had long pretty hair during the beginning of the Kdrama. 🙂
I thought the only significance of her cutting her hair was symbolic of her rebellion and anger for being ejected as ceo of naturemorning.
But, as I watched the end of episode 16, I realized that cutting her hair was also symbolic of her journey back to when she was Seo In Jae. She had the same haircut as a kid.
When she cut her hair, it might be symbolic of following the footsteps of her father… “building a better future” hahaha idk if theres a real significance to her hair but thats what I think. 🤣
On JP: Hmmm…. his journey was that of an investor who only cares about money to an investor who cares for a cause.
He’s become self aware also during the part where he said “I had 15 yrs and didnt search for you. Dosan read it once and came looking for you”. Maybe at that part, he realized he didnt really love Dalmi? Or idk.
Anyways to end this comment, hehe my favorite scene from this drama is the part where Dalmi, Dosan and Jipyeong were stuck in the elevator.
do san: Dalmi I think we should bid something something* (something about joining the thingy)
Dalmi: You know that this isnt something we can tackle. And its highly unlikely that we’ll get it.
Do San: I know, I don’t expect us to get it. Still, we should…
Ji Pyeong : Why bother? It’s a lot of work for something you don’t exoect to succeed at.
Do San: That’s why we should do it. That way, it’ll be easier next time… it’ll be a learning experience…you oass failure on your way to success.
You see, I watch dramas and movies to learn from it and apply it on my way of living. And this scene right here speaks to me.
I always say “no” to opportunities I feel I have a small chance of winning or succeeding. And this scene right here motivated me a lot to change my ways.
Anyways, after this scene wss a heartfelt scene as well…where he talked about how sailing without a map was incredibly wonderful for him (then looking at Dalmi)
Anyways! That’s it for me. Than you so much pm3 and others. Thank you for being part of my joys. I’ll be looking forward to ur upcoming posts for the 2 final episodes.
-Sky
Beingwritten
I don’t this show to end 🙁 🙁
Nerisa C.
Episode was a tearjerker especially with Halmeoni and In Jae’s meeting. Also cry-worthy was the SamSan Tech team reminiscing their old days in their old office.
It was nice to see Ji Pyeong find his worth in personally investing to the organization that helped orphans. I think that is the start of his healing and moving on.
Chul-San being introduced to Sa-ha’s sister was a nice scene too. I actually remember a friend of mine, a lawyer, who married a man as cheerful as Chul-San. 🙂
I was contented with the happy ending for most of the characters but I wish episode 16 wasn’t the final episode and they extended it to 20 episodes. Some scenes felt rushed like that 3 year gap. Would have liked to see how they celebrated winning that bid, the wedding of DoDal, more of Chul-San and Saha, Ji Pyeong working with orphans, Seo family bondings, Nam and Seo family meeting, Mr. Nam opening his wine for engagement, and the Seo sisters being SandBox mentors. Maybe there could have been an episode to discuss more of the business terminologies.
Overall, this kdrama is truly a memorable one for me where I first fought for my team – Team DoSan. As always, there were a lot of lessons about family. It is also about being brave in love and in business, about maturing as a person, forgiveness, and following your dreams.
JM
Gaaaaaah. I’m so satisfied with the ending. The 4 leads walking together and are in good relationship. I probably wouldn’t have it any other way.
LeeDale9198
That’s a wrap for Start Up 😭🎂. It’s been a journey with you guys 😀. From someone who felt alone first because she’s already rooting for Dosan when everyone’s rooting for Jipyeong, it sure is a development when I am rooting for our people in the drama to be happy and content.
Notes in the last episode/ squeal moments 😁:
1) Yeo Jin Goo’s appearance! Goodness, full circle when our Yeongsil finally become a human, iykwim 😃. Seriously, I freaked out when he appeared!
2) Chulsan our boy!!! Aaaahhhh, really I’m so thrilled when he was finally introduced to Saha’s sister like boy you’re Saha’s chosen one! 😆😄😃
3) Injae and Grandma finally meet 😭😭😭. And her reason for not visiting is because she felt shame because she was a Won, because she abandoned her family and everything 😢. Injae-yah, you suffered so much. You did great sweetie 😊.
4) Youngsan yes! A better man than Jipyeong when he apologized to Injae! Yes, we never got an apology from Jipyeong pffft. But I guess his humbling down when he have to invest in Cheongmyeong company is as close as we can get.
5) After many years, Jipyeong finally praised Park Dongcheon! Yes Mr. Park, finally!
6) Dosan and Dalmi in the church and the rainbow scene! Hahaha Idk what to think as a religious, but yes a little faith goes a long way than no faith at all. It is also shown here how our couple balance each other out. And also, pray and make it happen!
7) Grandma’s visit to Jipyeong. Grandma finally telling Jipyeong he can come to her whatever and whenever 😭. That’s the healing Jipyeong needed. He has a family to go to.
8) The power walk! With holding hands! Need I say more?!
9) Chulsan wearing a beanie!!! Hahaha then Youngsan would’ve given each of the team 1 million/billion won!!! Also that team member who promised a sports car for each member!! It’s so crazy just imagining it 😂. Also yes Saha and Chulsan officially known as a couple!
As a lowkey Injae-Jipyeong shipper who just wish for them to have a scene that would at least imply a budding romance, it’s a bummer that we didn’t get to witness DoDal wedding, because I’ve been imagining that in the toss the bouquet scene, the bouquet would somehow be caught by Jipyeong then he would give it to Injae because she’s near him 😅. Yeah, that’s the hopeless romantic in me.
But hey, at least we got an Injae-Jipyeong scene we’ve been waiting for! The conversation that hit Jipyeong really hard, seeing how he somehow didn’t realized that Dalmi has grown as a businessperson and how he is not depended on anymore.
Ah there’s so much to be satisfied with! The twins are caught and invistigated, Won father having lost his credibility, etc.
What a journet indeed. Start Up, thank you.
LeeDale9198
I forgot this one!
10) Samsan Tech going back to their roots and passing the baton to the new generation. Yes boys, you did it! You good souls did it 😢. Dosan is lucky to have Chulsan and Youngsan by his side. Really, it’s a goal to find people like the Samsan Tech! Being there with you despite the hardships and inconvenience and everything.
Well, we wish to witness their lives then but it’s a good ending to the story. We’ll not gonna like to see them struglle again do we, especially in 2020 with corona times 😁. Yeah hahaha ok thanks guys! It’s fun reading all the posts and comments here. Till the next drama 😉.
grace
Me too! Loved the last episode, one of the most satisfying kdrama ending for me. I was hoping for them to be announced the winner of the bid so we can see Dosan proposing to Dalmi, but we know he was going to give her the rock anyway.
So many scenes in the last episode was as tear-jerker for me…sorry spoilers spoilers.
– when Dosan visited grandma with the cute knitted cactus
– when grandma visited JP at his home. I also realized that what how JP viewed what he owed grandma as something he must return but grandma says to pay it forward instead.
– when Saha introduced Chulsan to her sister.
– when Samsans went back to the old office space and reminisced their time there. So love their friendship!! Dosan has to be assured by his friends that they were not upset that their time was wasted, the 3 years in that office was precious memories for them instead. JP’s words sure has power to bring down a person when he chided Dosan long time ago that he wasted his friends time.
– when Injae finally went back to her real family and announced that she changed her last name back to Seo (her smudged mascara throughout was hilarious). and when grandma remembers the past of how Injae looked like.
Thank you all for sharing your joys and analysis in this whole drama, especially @pm3 for making it so clear such that I can appreciate the story in a much deeper level. I learnt a little more about startup business, AI and identifying toxic behaviour and so much more. It was a marvelous journey! Like @BeingWritten, i didn’t want the show to end! (not sure what to watch next now since this is the only show i am chasing 😛 )
moonstar512
First, @Fern: thank you for your kind words, I really hope that I could be great parent someday 😊
I remembered that I said on one of the threads here that I wish the writer give us the satisfying ending. I am wondering about all of you, because… I had a blaaast.. I keep a low bar first so that I don’t get disappointed 😅
I really treasured most scenes in this finale, some of them:
1) Samsan tech going back to their first workplace. I have this “It’s the end of the era” vibe, and I got teary eyed. I wish that the actors in real life will keep being friends and support each other.
2) When Dosan met Halmoni. Oh my.. the actress who plays Halmoni is so great. I can feel her love and gratitude towards Dosan. And vice versa. Plus the way how Dalmi look at him while having their moment with Halmoni. 🥺
3) Injae going back home. Hugging Halmoni and crying. I was like laughing-crying when seeing her mascara runs off, but she still play it cool in front of her sister and mother. And when Halmoni imagine the scene when his son (dalmi and injae dad) is home bringing fried chicken. O my….
4) HJP met the owner of Yongshil voice.. and mesmerized by it. Lol. (Do you see the sparks in his eyes on this scene?) But I’m glad to see how he finally talks sincerely to other person, in here.
5) Dosan grab HJP hands and hugging with each other. This scene showing me how big Dosan’s heart is.
Extra:
– I am quite surprised by the scene on Yongsan and Injae. I never thought of it before, but it made me imagine that how the character of Injae might need someone with Yongsan character to complement each other, haha
– The ending scene where the 4 leads walk together, isn’t it taken from the teaser of this drama?
Looking forward to read all your comments of this finale.. 😊🎉
Carrot
Dear packmule 3,
Thanks for this space and all your sharing. It made following the long road of this start up extra beautiful.
I have a huge soft spot for JP (he is just so flawed), and I appreciated how well you highlighted the nuances and depths of Dosan’s love (certainly made accepting the sinking of the ship, that happened around ep 4, for me that much easier.
As a goodbye to this series, I loved the ending elevator scene, and also the intense elevator scene (where we finally have all three in the same space) in episode 15 (the writer even had to cause the lift to malfunction lol).
JP and Dosan’s approach to the Smart City project is their approach to love (and Dalmi). Dalmi at one point asks why are they discussing work (but I think it’s actually Dalmi lol). At this stage in the drama, Dosan didn’t expect to get her anymore but it doesn’t stop him. JP tells him he is being reckless. You cannot sail off without a map. You will die.
But, this is of course, precisely why JP got left behind as Dosan and Dalmi sailed off. Dosan says he may have failed but he does not regret. Never did and never will.
To put so much time and effort into something that you might lose, is a waste to JP. As an investor, he likes a sure win calculated risk approach.
But for Dosan, Dalmi is his life (THE dream as he told Alex). He could lose, but he could survive. And that’s a trailblazer!
Which is why Dalmi follows Dosan out of the lift (and JP is left behind again).
That’s the last we see them as a trio till the final power walk.
It’s been such a great journey. Thank you.
msSing
i wish halmoni would give corndogs and a hug since i have been crying buckets the entire series. will be back when things, nay i, have calmed down.
as always, grateful for everyone’s analyses and insights. thanks for the space @packmule3.
Even jp himself admit it 👍🏻
He said it to dalmi “even after reading your letters, i didnt look for you in 15 years. Mr nam, on the other hand. Went to you the day he read them.
So im not the nam dosan from the letters”
Very well said 👍🏻 Lol
But i dont know if jp shipper will understand what he actually said 🤭
The things i hate about this drama only shipper from other ship, some of them start to hate sz njh for real.
like bruh.. this is sz njh drama 🤦♀️
JP said that? 😂😂 Reminds me Reply 1988 Junghwan! He sat and went to watch Forrest Gump. And I timed it! (I was the obsessive 😂) He sat through about about HOUR of Forrest Gump before he realized that he should have gone to DeokSun who was waiting in the cold. He knew DeokSun was stood up by her date bec her date was in the movie theater with him. 🤦♀️😈😂😒
Meanwhile, Taec, who had an important baduk game, went to the tournament hall, apologize to the sponsors and his opponent, and forfeited the game for the first time EVER in his life just to go to Deoksun’s side.
So yes. In kdrama, the guy who made the effort to show up wins the girl.
I even wrote about here, too. All this problem with Dosan could have been avoided if JP had gone up to Dalmi himself in the beginning when Granny approached him to look for Dosan. He could have revealed to her that he was Dosan and apologized for his role.
But noooo. He was embarrassed that he wrote those letters. He didn’t want to own up that he’d written those letters.
He’s always discarding things and regretting it later. Maybe next time he’d do better.
nrllee
From the start I never thought JP ever really “loved” Dalmi. For him it was the thought of “losing her” (and with her his spot in her family with Grandma) which was his motivation for courtship. That’s why he never moved until the real DS showed up. And why he didn’t do anything in the 3 years time jump. DS was the thorn in his side. Deep down, he wanted to be like DS (Good Boy like Grandma believed he was) but he kept failing at it. It’s like how your faults are further amplified when you stand next to someone who is clearly the better man. He hated that and it showed.
Fern
Such a satisfying ending. Thank you, Writer. I loved the photos. Chulsan with his beanie to cover his shaved head! Wedding photos (no long engagement here.), family photos, team photos and a posh airy office with a view.
Did anyone catch what the new tenants’ business was? -Not that it really matters, just curious.
I thought it was interesting that DoSan has developed a really good fashion sense. In the scene where Jipyeong tells him about Director Yoon’s proposed investment. Jipyeong is wearing probably a very chic yellow tartan designer coat, but next to DoSan’s understated soft-looking tweed coat and roll neck sweater, he looks slightly clownish.
How great that Mr Hong compares his company’s mentors to Ko Gil-dong, harking back to the T-shirt lent to Jipyeong by Halmoni. 😊
Thank you, @packmule, for guiding us on this upward road. Thanks to all the posters, too, for elucidating so many ideas to value in this unique drama.
Snow Flower
So wholesome and inspiring! Thank you, show, for a well told story. And thank you, @pm3 and everyone who shared their insights here.
Ella
@Fern thank you kindly and sending you *many virtual hugs*
What an ending to a great series, in the ending interview the cast seems to mentioned the long 8 months shoot quite often. With the C-19 situation the cast and crew must have had a harder time. Made me appreciate it even more.
Some things I want to highlight on the last episode:
– On why InJae refused to go home, she wanted to come back as Seo and not Won
– Jp saying it out loud that he’s not DoSan on the letter either and that he had it for 15 years but did nothing, DoSan had it for one day and he went to DalMi
I think it’s a sastifying conclusion all around but of course the fangirl is mad and now trying to organize a riot to boycott the drama because their oppa deserve better lol
BethB
What a heartwarming and satisfying ending (the kind of ending I had hoped DDSSLLS might have had…)! I cried a few times as I watched it (something I rarely do with k-drama finales recently). I don’t think it needs a second season.
Thanks to everyone here who helped me see SU’s value from the beginning so I didn’t give up after the first episode (I wasn’t sure I was all that interested in startups and technology so I wasn’t fully invested in it right away). I’m also glad @packmule3 convinced me earlier that Do San was the best choice for Dalmi, so that I let go of my Good Boy favoritism and could clearly see and appreciate Do San’s kindness, steadfastness, intelligence, and perceptiveness.
I will miss the grandma and her warm heart so much.
BTW I think we could start another post on the visuals/art direction of this show. In looking at this OST on YouTube (https://youtu.be/2dEeiY_w3xE), I realized how much the color pink appeared in the first episode–the cherry blossom(s), the pink envelopes, the sisters’ dresses, the birdhouse; in a later episode, the sand on the beach that Do San took Dalmi and her grandmother to is awash in pink tones. I’m sure there are other examples.
Esst3
This drama was beautiful. I think of all the dramas of 2020 I’ve seen so far, this has an ending I’m very satisfied with. Yes we could have seen more family and friends scenes but overall I’m happy, it was open but with enough details about what direction the writer wanted to end things.
It has been such a journey! I tuned out round ep 10 because I was just so done with all the noise and I think I got a little fed up with the drama itself but I’m glad I came back to finish it. This site was definitely helpful in reminding me that this is a great story. Dosan is a beautifully written character, his gestures were by no means grand but they were meaningful and he was so thoughtful! JP on the other hand gave me a headache, he has too many flaws to mention, lol.
One thing that had me confused was JP heart eyes (you could LITERALLY see it and I was like erm why is he fangirling right now😂) when he met the CEO (Yeo Jin Goo’s cameo). A comment on here saying YJG’s voice is Noongil makes sooo much sense cos I kept thinking I knew the voice but couldn’t place it. No wonder JP said he’d invest because he liked his voice! Really liked the power couple walk scene too!
Not the biggest fan of Nam Joo Hyuk or Suzy, I think their acting skills are on the weak side but they’ve impressed me with this, definitely some of their best acting moments.
Looking forward to seeing the cast in their future projects!
hafunohane
ah, we’ve reached the end of our “long road.”
i’m quite content with the ending, especially since i got seo injae’s scenes with halmoni and the whole fambam & another dodal’s kisseu scene :p
this drama is not without its flaws (and lots of cheeseballs scenes), but it led me to discover another side to the actress who played rosa in HP (what! a! great! actress!) and to a certain extent, motivated me with my work 🙂
i had the biggest smile when DS carried the knitted cactus! i needed that quirky hobby of his to survive the timejump and it did!
and look at DS being the bigger man of the two during the handshake scene.. they even shared a short hug…
halmoni’s scene with JP and the flashback with the deceased dad and the sisters’ younger selves broke me to pieces.
from the moment the realization hits her that DS & DM are back together (that subtle slight change in her gaze are just.. wow) up to the moment she told JP to not become any lonelier. when she said she can see injae and we’re given the flashback i know the waterworks are coming in. oh, and i love that DM fixed injae’s music box and injae just coolly took it back 🙂
despite the crazy fanwar “noise” that i’m glad i was able to filter out, i’m forever thankful for this drama for breaking the glass ceiling by showcasing tough, smart female leaders (let’s not forget CEO Yoon and Saha) and last but not least, for including that heartwarming scene between the samsan trio at their old office!
Yes i read it on your earlier post about start up.
And when it was happened i also think same.
That why on earlier ep i only think jp is cute guy but not as dalmi love interest..
i actually liking ksho too. But yeah, i probably might never ever hype his drama in the future unless you make post about the drama.
😆
I cant forget how they bashing suzy and njh, discredit their work, cursing them from character to real life as sz njh. So its impossible for to be friend with toxic ppl😴
Bitches safe place to all minorities who talk about the whole context in the drama. Not delusional one.
👍🏻
dodal5ever
Hello! Are you still going to post a blog about Start Up Episode 16 Finale?
I’m starting to think that the fans who make excuses for what should have been Jipyeong’s poor attitude and unprofessional behavior at work are probably those that may have not experienced the corporate/working environment yet?
I could relate with @Sky about the scene in the second episode when Jipyeong belittled the team and I disagree with his behavior and approach because (please do correct me if I may have understood things wrongly)he’s supposed to be a professional mentor, I mean that’s his actual job and while a few people compared his dismissive behavior being relatively mild compared to how start-ups are criticised in shows like Shark Tank, that’s not how it works.
This is because Sanbox has a very specific function which is to be a “safe” environment to help these start-up companies while Shark Tank is a reality TV show. While elements of Shark Tank exist in the show as part of the evaluation process, an organisation that exists for the purpose of nurturing the potential start-ups. There’s constructive criticism, instructive criticism and destructive criticism. Jipyeong was using the third version on a rather regular basis when it comes to pre-Sandbox Samsan Tech. Is it because he was expecting them to be able to take it because they’re all (big) boys and can take a harder hit?
In a corporate environment, there are behavioral patterns you would identify being toxic and sometimes, like me, learn to tolerate in the long term but always reminding myself not to emulate no matter how much I like the person. Some of the things that Jipyeong does fall into the category of toxic leadership. I didn’t like how he treated his assistant even from the earlier episodes and I thought Dongchun, the assistant, has the patience of a saint in dealing with Jipyeong. If my boss at work had dealt with my co-worker dismissively in that manner, I can only be respectful of the position he’s holding rather than respecting the actual person. My colleague used this term “respect the chair, not the person”.
I have to admit, I feel a bit ashamed watching Jipyeong because I see some similarities with him that I’ve worked very hard to overcome.
I started from the bottom of the ladder and worked very hard to prove myself and reach the position I am now. The journey wasn’t easy for me and because of that, the experience helped me to be tougher and develop high expectations for myself. So it should come as no surprise that when I became a manager, I subjected my staff to an equally steep and tough learning curve and was giving them a tough time, as tough as it was when I started out as a junior executive (my bosses are prone to be those who will drop you at the deepest end of the pool, repeatedly, and rewarding you handsomely if you survive). I wrongly thought that subjecting them to the same the learning curve and experience that I had gone through would help them to be stronger, cope faster and become more agile and dynamic at work.
I didn’t understand that different people learn things differently and as a leader, I shouldn’t take the easy way of replicating my experience on them and expecting the same or better results. As a leader, my job is to help them realise their potential and enable them to contribute to the team in the best way possible. Sure, it doesn’t mean that I would tolerate bad behavior but now, I have learned to be more patient, appreciate their talent and capabilities as well as help them to overcome any negativities because we’re working as a team.
I know I’m rambling here, I apologise for going off-track but at the end of the day, you can only do so many things for Mr. Dimples until you’ll flip the table out of frustration because of his rude behavior. And then get called to HR for domestic inquiry. It’s not fun to be at the receiving end of the dismissive insults and I don’t understand how the fans could excuse this type of behavior.
hafunohane
@Lovebangwon speaking of the whole context, i find it very fitting that our CEO who wanted to take the upper-level elevator as her original wish decided to have her desk (and Dosan’s) out in the open a la coworking space (istead of having a room of her own), and on the lower floor to boot (at least that’s what it looks like to me from the cameraworks)
Moonriver272
@Esst3, you could find a few, if not many Start-Up behind the scenes videos of NJH and Suzy where they encouraged each other especially during emotional scenes and I find those to be very sweet to watch. One of it was the scene where drunk Dosan was trying to rehearse how to explain to his dad about Dalmi being the company’s CEO and instead of apologizing to his dad, he was apologizing to Dalmi for the deception and the scene showed Dalmi wearing the blue dress at the networking event crying in front of him. So as you know
In the BTS video, both were clearly overwhelmed, even after completing the scene NJH asked to do it one more time, and later Suzy was comforting NJH from across the table saying “you did well”.
As a very emotional drama and both of the leads being known as actors that are highly “valued” for their looks, I respect them for the dedication and effort to improve their craft, both Suzy and NJH have come a long way and I’ll certainly be supporting their future work 🙂
grace
@pm3, do you find any flaws in the drama or the ending. Overall I loved all of it even the resolution of JP, except that if he had apologised like Yongsan does, it would have been better. So many people didn’t think JP had a good or happy ending…probably because he didn’t get the girl? But honestly, one can be single and happy and he did look happy on the way to the shareholders meeting at the end..hmm.
I have read some reviews that the writer relies a lot on stereotypes and it was so for the second half. Am I not seeing something because in life things are not perfect either, things that we should do does not get done, should we blame the writer for not letting Injae know about grandma’s blindness till so much later. Usually I feel like I will let that detail slide. In short, what will constitute a good drama?
I’m still working on Ep 15. I don’t want to watch Ep 15 until I’m done with this. (that will make me work faster)
I took time off today, though. The gardeners are coming to replace the flowerbeds so let me see if I can finish this today while supervising the men. 🙂
grace
No worries take your time 🙂
Lovely to have new flowerbeds! What will you grow there?
Janey
I was very happy with the last 2 episodes and it had all the closures needed. I just wished that Dalmi officially turned down HJP but maybe this is also designed by the writer? There was never a love triangle to begin with or at least she already decided with AHA moment during the beanbag scene. From a realistic point of view, being a junior of HJP and his mentee, it’s really awkward situation for DM so she was just ignoring or acting blasé about HJP’s so called confessions (by chewing carrots). If HJP pressed her harder, it can cross the line of sexual harassment.
Whatever happened to that jewelry case? 😛
My other wish would have been more DM perspective like internal monologue on her dilemmas and decision making and journey as CEO. I really got to know DS through his. And no apologies from JP?!!! Other than that, Halmeoni was the heart of the drama and the closures with her (DS, JP, InJae) were tear jerkers in the last ep. InJae is redeemed in my eyes, she is a leader and mentor with chops (much better than JP!)
other subliminal messages… follow women, because we are the future! 😊 Cheers to strong female roles in this kdrama!
Fern
I have VERY few gripes about this drama.
I understand Injae’s personal feelings about not wanting to reunite with her family while she still ‘legally’ had the Won surname. But…she wasn’t only hurting herself by staying away. I’m glad she made it back to her family. I started to get really worried in that same scene when grandma said she could see everyone (including dead son who asked her to come over to join him…) Maybe it was only me?
Something else I couldn’t ignore was DoSan’s bike. Now this is purely a petty Mother reaction: ‘You did what? Left your bike chained to a tree up some god-forsaken canyon?’ I wanted to see it strapped onto Dalmi’s car or stuffed in the boot. Harrumph. Because I’ve had rather a lot of that this year.
LeeDale9198
Do you think that Start Up’s narrative declined on the second half? I don’t think so, but what do you think?
hahaha. Did the second half decline? Who’s suggesting that it did? A JP fangirl?
If so, she’s just being sour grapes. Her guy didn’t get the woman so she’s GASLIGHTING (hahaha) people who cheered for the Dosan-Dalmi ending.
I thought the story ended strong. There was no loose ends. The writer controlled the narrative tension and pacing exceedingly well.
The time leap came at the right time. Their reunion came at the right time, and the love confession came at the right time. And I like that we had Ep 16 to give everybody else a time to shine and close their story.
It was no easy task.
I’m glad that there was no deus ex machina, where the gods or fate suddenly stepped in and rescued Dosan or Dalmi. The story and character development flowed logically and organically.
The emotional epiphany or aha moment peaked at the right time. For instance, stupid-ass JP found out that he’d been a donkey’s ass at the same time that he blamed Samsan Tech guys for stupidly falling for the “acquihiring” trick of Alex.
Who was the bigger fool there? At least, Samsan Tech’s downfall was due to their lack of business experience. But what was his excuse for not realizing that NoonGil provided an important service for the visually impaired people like Grandma?
I say his lack of humanity.
His emotional epiphany came he realized that the assistance he begrudged of Dosan had repercussions on his favorite person.
Janey
How to have a passcode for the latest posting? Pretty please?! 😊
nrllee
“ hahaha. Did the second half decline? Who’s suggesting that it did? A JP fangirl?
If so, she’s just being sour grapes. Her guy didn’t get the man so she’s GASLIGHTING (hahaha) people who cheered for the Dosan-Dalmi ending.”
Affirmative. Lots of JP fan girls moaning about how the second half “made no sense”, how “the writer totally ignored the business side of the story and replaced it with a senseless love triangle”, how “the writer really drew out the love triangle right to the very end for no reason” (err there was none to begin with? DM showed zero interest in JP? It really only existed in their minds and they were the ones clinging onto the 1% right to the bitter end), how “the writer wrote such a perfect character in JP that it was criminal that he didn’t get his happy ever after” (err…he did? His happy ever after was family – with Grandma – that was what he always wanted/needed. Too much Disney if fan girls think that the only happy ever after is the equivalent of getting the girl 🙄).
Moonriver272
Last 2 episodes was satisfying for me as it focuses on the team dynamics and how much they’ve grown and learned from their experience. The opening scene in Episode 15 showing the team smoothly handling the reporter and the contrast of how Injae and Jipyeong mentored the team.
I loved that Injae displayed confidence and faith in Dalmi and her team while Jipyeong struggled to finally understand that they’ve finally outgrown him in terms of needing him to save the team.
I also want to share the scene about Dosan asking Dalmi what she liked him and her answer was basically she liked him for what he is.
This reminds me of a sweet and well-loved Malaysian movie “Sepet” (trans. Chinese eyes) about teenage interracial love between a Malay girl and a Chinese boy. Her friend asked her what she liked about him since they have nothing in common i.e. different social, racial and economic background and her answer was “You like what you like lah (the word “lah” being a slang to emphasize something, sort of the Korean “yo” or the Japanese “ne”). She continues the dialogue in the context of defying racial conventions, “who cares if that someone likes the other one because of their race? It’s when you hate them that’s the problem”.
I can understand Dalmi’s perspective. You don’t need a reason when you love the person for everything that he/she is. You appreciate their strengths and accept their flaws, everything that makes them whole. Dalmi’s simple response means the world to Dosan, who was haunted by his guilt and inferiority. His burden melted away by these simple words and I’m glad this was what the writer decided on.
NOTE :
There’s another dialogue in the movie “Sepet” that I thought was really romantic. I mean, the movie itself was full of simple but deep, romantic and meaningful dialogue/statements (“you’re God’s poetry to me”).
In a dialogue between the girl, Orked and the boy, Jason, he asked her “How long does it take for a person to fall in love?”, she guessed it as “one minute?” and then asked him “how long did it take for you to fall in love with me?” and he answered “much less than than”.
The movie was produced 15 years ago and I’m still in love with it 🙂
Packmule3
Janey,
I removed the password already.
I had to put a password while I transferred my draft and edited it.
Moonriver272
Sorry, I typed too fast and there’s just a few mistakes I need to correct, I’m so sorry for the confusion :
1. Not episode 15, episode 16!
2. In the note about the movie “Sepet”, Jason’s answer to the question “how long did it take for you to fall in love with me?” was “much less than that”.
The movie is available for free on Youtube with English subtitles (as it is a mix of several languages, Malay, English and Chinese). I hope you’ll watch it 🙂
I edited my original answer to show “her guy didn’t get the WOman.” I don’t know what my spellcheck was doing.
Nrllee. I agree.
1. “made no sense” — it didn’t make sense to them because they insisted on all that NONSENSE about Dalmi ending with JP when
DM had zero love interest in JP but she felt guilty and sad discarding him when she hero-worshipped him and used him a golden yardstick with which to measure all other guys.
2. “writer totally ignored the business side of the story and replaced it with a senseless love triangle,”
One, JP fangirls were the one who insisted on the love triangle. We already knew that DM had zero love interest in JP.
Two, JP fangirls should have focused on his rehabilitation, not his “conquest” of the girl, because JP deserves rehabbing from his jealousy and pettiness.
Three, their own delusional fans hyped up that theory that this a business drama and it was supplanted by the love story/family story. To begin with, the business theme served as VEHICLE to drive the characters around.
So don’t go blaming the writer when the ldrama doesn’t end in the way they ought .
Diane
The line I get (and hate the most) when talking to Jipyeong fans and explaining some valid points — “are we watching the same drama” *facepalm*
PHR and the rest of the production crew did a good job. I feel sad for all the backlash they are getting esp NJH and Suzy.
The ending was great. Everything tied up in a pretty bow. No loose ends.
No one should complain unless they are a Morning Group and Apollo/Artemis fans! LOL!
Ella
The more i got roped wittingly or unwittingly into the psyche of jp’s fangirl the sadder i become for instance my friend showed me about this case of defending jp’s harsh criticism to people by saying what would you rather choose someone who sees your mistake and be silenced about it/talking behind your back or someone who points out the truth even if it’s harsh. I mean come on people it’s his job as a mentor, it’s emblazoned in big letters in his t-shirt.
@Diane *facepalm* same here lol
Diane
@Ella: I still see a lot of toxic comments in my timeline/feed. It bothers me a lot that not everyone is on the same page. They all feel Jipyeong was treated like a punching bag when in fact it was SST who got a beating with all the harsh words and berating that they got from him as a mentor. And Noongil… seems like everyone thinks Jipyeong saved them. Even if they met with Alex asking for a favor (which was not explained in the succeeding episodes what they talked about) I’m pretty sure it was Dosan asking if he can continue working on the app and probably find investors while he is in 2STO. While he did asked for help during their fight scene I don’t think he ended up doing anything for them. When Jipyeong spoke with grandma I would assume he will feel that he has repayed his debt assuming he is the “secret investor” of Noongil. Oh well! I just hate it when misleading info are circulated which further confuses the fans even those who are yet to watch the show.
Ella
@Diane
Me and my friend thought the same thing that is if people on camp jp because of the actor’s physical trait we have no issue with it, i mean each to their own. What we have issues with is how people praise and glorify jp’s behaviour, make excuses for him, and worse of all dragging DoSan down just because he’s on the other camp.
And now the fangirls are on a mission to give bad reviews everywhere to StartUp for not giving their oppa justice.
I found this place last week, and just wanted to thank you lot for keeping me sane while watching the last few episodes of Start-Up. Seeing so much hate and bias on other forums really took a mental toll on me. Whenever I go there I am just flabbergasted, confused, and finally angry.
letsgetthisbread
I also saw comments saying JP (and Injae) became an emotional punching bag. I wonder why they only say that for JP. Who got dragged into this whole mess when he wasn’t even initially part of the letter-scheme and got hurt multiple times? Isn’t it Dosan (and Dalmi of course)? Also why do they say so much when they aren’t real characters. It’s not like we’re doing it to the characters on purpose???
I stayed off twitter when the last two episodes aired and I have to say these past days are the most peaceful I’ve had since the fanwars got real. Haha.
Also just want to share that I loved the Church scene so much that I kept replaying it. I’m kind of like Dalmi (*whispers* I’m not that faithful either) but it’s the environment I grew up in. It’s not a surprise that Dosan is an atheist but I appreciate that he was very respectful inside and even said that he also prayed. But when they got out and saw the rainbow, the science guy jumped out again. It was so cute to see him just do whatever Dalmi tells him to do, even this Church thing. And just the fact that in ep4, Dalmi prayed for a companion through her journey, and this guy, Dosan, was the peculiar response to her prayer, I just love it. He was THE HAND to hold through the journey. What a beautiful love story.
Snow Flower
My original composition inspired by Start Up: Sailing Without A Map
3santech
Hi PM3, I’m glad I came across your blog. This is my first time posting. I’ve seen a lot of Dosan hate on twitter, reddit and everywhere, JP’s fangirls are calling Dosan “the most toxic Kdrama lead ever”, “manipulator”, “violent” and whatever else. I’ve never seen so much hatred towards a character before… It’s alarming tbh to see these fangirls so obsessed with HJP. And as usual, they’re blaming the writer, saying it’s the worst Kdrama ever. (Some to the extent of leaving bad reviews and ratings, so others wouldn’t watch it…childish much? sigh) The drama has ended but they’re still not letting go of HJP lmao. HJP is such an overhyped character imo, I don’t get the appeal tbh, to me he’s just like every other a**hole tsundere lead in kdramas. But everyone’s so into him. Hmm must be the dimples eh? Anyway, I read your dosan manipulative sadboi post and it made me feel so much better to know that Dosan isn’t like what these fangirls described him to be. I’ve read so many of their tweets that at one point it made me doubt and think, “is it sooo wrong for me to support Dosan?” “Why am I the only one here supporting Dosan?” “Where are all the Dosan supporters?” (Thankfully I found your blog) Lol. I really don’t get this “Dosan is toxic” narrative these JP fangirls are going with. Which part of Dosan is toxic? What did Dosan do that is so toxic? There’s really no point in arguing with and explaining to these people… it’s like they’re watching an entirely different drama. Their logic and arguments are… I don’t even know what to say. SU is a great drama, I enjoyed it and loved the ending. Learned quite a bit about the business world too! But wow… the experience of having to tolerate the toxicity of fangirls on twitter will remain with me… And thank you for your great analyses! I enjoyed reading them. It’s amazing how you spot all those little details and interpret the metaphors and meanings behind everything. Overall SU is a wonderfully written story for me. And I’ve such a soft spot for Dosan, his character is one of the best in Kdrama for me (but ofc HJP fangirls will disagree).
moonstar512
@ Ella: I was trying to get away from social media with team JP inside, however today I get this sad news…from you, the fact that there are some of the fangirls with a mission to give bad reviews everywhere. (I mean, why??) Earlier, in my city, I was told that there is a ‘writer’ who obviously JP fangirls, ranted in her soc-med account about how bad this drama is, while her works are not with flaws at all too.. (double facepalm)
If only the fangirls want to use their head and heart (?), It is because of this drama that written by this very writer, that their OPPA is now getting more famous. He got many job, after this drama aired.. when their oppa is thankful because of the drama, the writer, the creator team and the actors-actresses.. I don’t get it why the fangirls still hold a grudge (?). I don’t know guys, is it normal to behave like that?
I hope they will stop soon and ending their madness.
While I got many life lessons from this drama, reflect on myself, feel happy and satisfied. I know a lot of you too.. And even @snow flower composed a beautiful piano piece because of this drama.. (I like the tunes @snow flower!)
those JP fans are still on their grudge.. with full of hate and misery..
Really, I think.. it’s their loss, not us..
Thanks, @Snow_Flower. I’m reposting on the blog so it won’t disappear.
Snow Flower
Thank you, @packmule3!
Esst3
@moonriver272
I haven’t really watched any BTS for this drama but that sounds interesting, I’ll check it out thanks!
Kathy T
Dear @packmule3,
This is my second time posting but I wasn’t able to say hi the first time 🙂
I used to be one of your reader-lurkers, starting with The King: Eternal Monarch. Thank you for creating this blog. The analyses from you and this blog’s community is always a joy to read – insights and new perspectives abound! Thank you for your interpretation of Do San’s Long Road. That part of the episode kind of went over my head, LOL.
To everyone else:
Cheers to a wonderful end to the very heart-warming drama Start-Up. I really enjoyed In-Jae’s scenes in the last episode and how different she looked when she smiled. I was so proud of her watching her younger sister with pride and trust as she and ex-SST team brilliantly handled the start-up sniper reporter. I was kinda embarrassed for JP in this scene actually. The scene really made In-Jae look out of his league, lol.
Another contrast I thought between Do San and Ji-pyeong is how they use their intelligence in relation to others. With Do San, he felt awful about hurting other kids (even inadvertently) with his intelligence, like when an older kid is unfavorably compared to him. While Ji-Pyeong uses his intelligence without a care to whether he is hurting other people with it, like when he tells the “hard truth” (a most misleading euphemism, if I ever saw one).
When interpreted in the best possible light, you could say JP’s “prickliness” is all part of his defense mechanism for surviving alone in a harsh world. He has to assert his superiority and this is how he does it. It’s still not attractive though, whatever the sob story behind it. Because, as I like to say, Halmeoni already showed him unconditional love in Episode 1. But he was only able to really learn the lessons from it 15 years later.
Yes, I like InJae too during that scene with the reporter. I like that she’s tough as steel. And did you notice? She was the one who followed it up with the reporter telling (warning? threatening?) him that if he doesn’t report on this, he’d be accused of collusion.
And what did JP do? Nothing. He knew that the reporter dissed on start-ups, why didn’t he bring it up as the reporter walked by. Like, “Hey. Don’t let this be a repeat of the hack job you did on Start-Up ABC, buddy.”
He ran all the way there and just stood there. He had Dosan’s number too.
He could have called him up.
And you’re right about the Dosan and JP using their intelligence differently. But the thing is, if Dosan is supposed to be — what did JP say he was? dull-witted? — then what does that make of JP? He KNEW that he was hurting people but he just didn’t care. He can’t claim that he lacked self-awareness because he’s proud of being perceptive.
As for his being an orphan, all the other leads had imperfect childhoods, what makes his past history so special that he can’t be called out for his bad actions as a grown-up?
Really makes me wonder what these fangirls were fed in their infancy that they can’t see something so obvious. The writer never deviated from her script AND director never showed Dosan losing out to JP so I don’t get where all this hysteria from fangirls are coming from. If anything, they should blame their own abysmal visual literacy.😂
And frankly, JP fangirls should quit attacking the writer. They’re a big turn off. Other writers and directors would think twice casting this actor since they know his fans can get troublesome if they don’t get their way. Why bother with him when he isn’t all that good acting anyway?
The actor playing Dosan (what’s his name Nam Joo San?) even beat the actor playing JP in all their one-on-one acting.
😂
Please don’t make me show proofs because I still have to finish my review of Ep 16.
Just take down names of the most rabid fangirls and avoid them in the future. Anyway, you really CANNOT win an argument with an idiot, like you can’t win an argument with a chimpanzee. Because at the end of the day, you’re STILL arguing with a dolt and with a chimp. So just stay away.
@packmule totally agree whatever u said. It is also on my head 💕
The issue now getting bigger 🤭
Koreaboo and allkpop alr writing an article about ksho kfans at his fancafe, they write toxic comment about dosan and dalmi, and ofcourse making rumors about start up ending. That suzy and nam joo hyuk agency (soop ent) pay for them to be end game.
now i also read on wikitree korean portal news.
Honestly njh and suzy pair was in demand back in 2018 director and writer, come and hug me drama actually casting them first, but they decline the offers.
If im not wrong, suzy was also decline cheese in the trap drama, where njh was cast as supporting role in that drama.
For my entire life watching kdrama, this is first time i saw so many toxic fans on male actor.
Even the biggest war shipper on r88 series stay on forum and twitter.
But start up reaching media to writer about it.
This fans dont know how thankful they are, for writer phr cast him as main lead in start up. Without this role, he wont never ever make it.
Now they started to mass making bad review about start up.
Ungrateful kids
Thanks for the update, Lovebangwon. 🙂 It’s like watching a major meltdown, isn’t it?
I told our readers to leave the JP’s fangirls alone. They don’t need our help with their self-destruction. They’ll implode on their own. But they are everywhere: soompi, reddit, mydramalist, twitter, Facebook, instagram…even on this blog. (You just don’t see them because their posts were blocked by filter words I placed just in case….)
I remember one of the arguments that they gave me was that they were the majority. There were more JP fans than Dosan fans so the endgame was going to JP. I’m not kidding you. Like what kind of argument is that??!! This ain’t no popularity contest. I laughed when I read that. Whatever…
nrllee
“ I remember one of the arguments that they gave me was that they were the majority. There were more JP fans than Dosan fans so the endgame was going to JP. ”
@packmule3 that’s the exact same argument that WGrs have. Safety in numbers. Theirs is the biggest fandom. The Titanic that will mow down our canoe for sure. 🙄. That LeeShin can’t possibly ignore their clout or they would risk the repercussions of a meltdown like we’re seeing now in Start Up.
I know, right? The classic “argumentum ad populum.” There’s many of us, so we’re right. Didn’t they know that the established writers and directors wouldn’t mind defying the conventions and the general population?
Oh well. Life goes on.
moonstar512
Talking about WG’ers @nrllee
Omg, I really really wish that they don’t end up get mad if the ending of HP will not like they wanted. I’m so heartbroken whenever I saw comments that attacking writer, director, production team, actors and actresses of Start Up. I can’t imagine if they did it again on HP later. 🥺
and @packmule3 thank you for providing the safe place to discuss start up without any jp fans unbelievable comments. Like you said that they think they’re the majority, but that doesn’t mean they have this permit to be toxic everywhere.😅
I really wish they will grow up and make peace with the ending of Start Up or any other dramas in the future.
nrllee
@moonstar512 The advantage that LeeShin have (compared with Park HyeRyun – the writer of Start up) is that they’ve done it before. Multiple times. And it hasn’t fazed them. I think they almost expect it now. They did it with JungHwan (Reply1988) and they did it again with Chilbongie (Reply1997). Lee has always said that he settles the end first and then they write towards that ending. The ending never changes come what may. So no amount of “popular opinion” will move them. Have you noticed why they always put characters who fan girl in every one of their dramas? It’s like their little inside joke and poke at fan girls. This was PHR’s first (? I think 🤔 ) experience where the fan girls were really rabid/toxic. Don’t know. Wasn’t around when Dream High aired. I get the feeling even KSH is somewhat embarrassed by all the hullabaloo. I believe he actually said in one interview recently that “DoSan and Dalmi were meant to be”. So he acknowledged that it was in the script. But in the eyes of the fan girl? That was his martyrdom speech (Look how gracious he is! Swoon…he’s just too perfect 🥰). It only served to deify him even more so in their eyes. 🙄. I think a lot of them want some sort of spin off for HJP where he gets the girl. As if that is all that really matters you know? If you get the girl, well… you’re set for life and you get your happy ever after. And fan girls can then just play that fairytale ending ad nauseum to their heart’s content.
Ella
@nrllee
That’s the problem isn’t it, I think the reason they’re so adamant on why jp has to get the girl is this is a win/lose game. The winner is who gets the girl? They can’t believe their so-called perfect saint jp lost to DoSan who they labelled a loser.
Just like the character they worshipped when he didn’t get the girl he felt like a loser.
@packmule
they can appear everywhere leaving toxic review or cursing but not here 🤣😂
If this is forum s***** they will gain more confidence bcs moderators is super bias.
Gen
Loved when it comes back in full circle.
From them joking around if they win the bid, they would do specific things (esp shocked and cried when Dosan said he will propose). This scene was somehow similar in Ep 8 back up when they all also bet on their DAU. Hahaha character consistencies as well as the writing.
Also loved the probability scene with the tags when Dalmi asked for Dosan’s tag. She asked what the probability of finding his tag among the other tags. He replied 0.0002 percent. It was like similar in ep 12 when they broke up. When Dalmi told Dosan that Alex discovering a genius like him is like winning a lottery (one in a million) but Dosan countered by saying that chance of two people meeting is also equally amazing. He really does love Dalmi!
I think people are just also making a big deal about how Dosan’s dream is a person. People say why is Dalmi his dream. But, I could also interpret that the dream he had was a dream of himself as a person. He dreamt of the real him in front of Dalmi. That is why he added the line “as the real me.” Before he couldn’t, because he was not a hotshot, had no money, no connections and all. But this time, he turned things around.
Honestly, I miss the Dosan from before the break up. Cause he had this different aura during ep 13-16. But, only in some aspects. Despite the aura, I could still see his quirky side, etc.
And definitely, he makes things happen. He turns them into reality that has been what he has been doing in his life and in Dalmi’s as well as the people around him.
Illusyn
I’m still speechless when I read negative comments about having a person as a dream.
First, because from my point of view these people contradict themselves. If it is wrong to have a person as a dream then it is wrong to associate one’s happiness with a person. In fact I think it is worse.
It is now taken for granted (or so I thought) that to have a healthy relationship you have to know how to be happy with yourself and appreciate yourself as much as possible despite your flaws etc. Let me say you have to fix all the flaws that JP has XD.
It is no coincidence that JP’s growth path is not tied to DM. Making your happiness dependent on someone else does not have great prospects for a healthy and lasting relationship.
Finally, I think the literally interpretation of “dream = person” is due to the strong bias of fungirls.
A very large part of the creative production in the history of humanity is based on obtaining true love / finding a soulmate etc .. It doesn’t seem like a new thing to me. The point is that once you have found your soulmate then a shared life with them will be the best it can be. I can understand if anyone thinks otherwise, but here’s the perspective.
So I wonder what’s wrong with dreaming for myself the best life possible?
I mean I don’t think that once you find your soulmate then you will spend all life on the sofa 🙂
Sasa13
I really love @Gen and @Illyusyn’s perspective on Dosan’s dreams
Some people dreams about helping others, making their parents proud, etc. That is also based on other people… so is finding true love.
All this time Dosan was pretending to be the trophy of his dad and Nam Dosan from the letters with the persona that Jipyeong made. I feel bad remembering those times because even though he deserves Dalmi’s love and affection… he doesn’t think Dalmi really likes him for him. So his dream is to have Dalmi sees him for who truly is and be proud of him anyway.
I also think part of that includes supporting Dalmi to achieve her dream by being him. That’s why the confession at sandbox is actually so meaningful and raw. Instead of listing reasons, Dalmi just told him that it’s because he’s him :”)
Jipyeong fangirls will say it is weird to make someone your dream yet be content with seeing him willing to trade all his possessions for Dalmi (as if she’s an object) 😅😅
I do feel bad for the writer tho. I want to see other dramas she worked on (i’ve watched only WYWS, I can hear your voice and pinocchio) and everyone was hating on her. I think NJH and Suzy were dragged in social medias too. I am certain KSH felt bad about it and that’s one of the reason why he said nice things about Dodal in the interview like @nrllee said… to neutralize the fangirls
grace
Talking about dreams, I was watching Episode 1 at the part where Dalmi’s dad passed away in the bus on the way home, at the scene the OST One Day by Kim Feel played. I felt like the song meshed with Dalmi’s loss of her dad and her memories of the letter writing boy who liked her.
The lyrics of the song goes
“I can’t let go of the dreams that always remained in my heart. Let’s start slowly, just like then..that dream.”
Dosan is Dalmi’s dream as much as Dalmi is Dosan’s dream. Even though Dosan wasn’t the one who wrote the letters, the first time she set eyes on him, he is THE ONE, her dream come true. Of course all else that he does just confirms what she imagined him to be
“smart, kind, well-off (well not yet when they first met), handsome, gentle, competent, promising.” These were the words used to describe Dosan by grandma and Dalmi in the first episode.
Kathy T
@packmule3
AMEN to JP’s scale-up!
I thought too that “paying-it-forward” was the trajectory that his life should have taken after meeting Grandma Choi / Halmeoni. That was an amazing encounter between them, right? If he couldn’t find her because she had closed her shop and wasn’t on social media, then he should have been paying forward all along.
But I guess the world would have to wait 18 years later for him to understand that love wasn’t something you can pay back like a debt. It’s not something you can claim either. It has to be given.
Maybe at the root of his issues is a fear of abandonment / rejection? That’s what he envied about Do-san the kid (having a family) and since he didn’t have it he fortifies himself against that lack by refusing to need or be beholden to anyone. He was comfortable this way and Yeong-sil did call his life ‘peaceful’ before the gentle breeze came that will take him to a person he met briefly once before. The ‘peacefulness’ could also be just a pretty way of saying ’empty’.
Still! No excuse for him being a jerk to the SST guys. and Young-san’s brother. And sometimes, Park Dong-Cheon.
I’m glad that Director Yoon was forceful with JP when it came time to eat his humble pie, hahaha.
Do-san’s magnanimity in that scene was really just awesome to witness. He always did respect JP. Even in the 2STO acqhiring incident, when Sa-ha told him JP thought there was something wrong with the contract Do-san got alarmed. Whatever issues he had with Plan B, I think Do-san would have listened to JP. He acknowledged him as the expert in these things.
Do-san has always deserved better from JP. When he finally comes into his own and can no longer be belittled by JP, it’s… just… so… satisfying to watch, LOL. But being the LB, of course Do-san rises above such petty things as payback.
The other awesome thing to note in the scene was how hawt Do-san looked when he hop-stepped onto the bleachers with his hands in his pockets. I don’t know, it just looked really cool and attractive.
🙂Are you posting your reply here. Kathy_T, bec the other thread has no comment feature?
Let me fix it. I turned off the comment feature so I could write without getting distracted by incoming comments. I forgot to turn it back on again when I uploaded the last segment. Sorry. 😂
FYI. The anagram for the ransomware:
“Apollo and Artemis” are twins.
The twins are the hackers.
Dosan can use this info against Morning Group obviously
While I wish the writer did this earlier I’m finally glad the love triangle is over. I wish there were more sister scenes, mother-halmeoni-Dalmi scenes, bromance and sleepovers where Jipyeong and Dosan are being immature and petty in funny way.
#DoDalEndgame FTW!
The scooby gang back together again, i missed them so much, tweeter said that writer-nim change ep15 script multiple times.
Any thoughts on what she might add/delete/change?
🙂 Who said that? The writer herself? Who are the sources of that tweet? Are they verified or authorized spokesperson for the writer or director?
Or JP fans?? lol.
If not coming from legitimate source, don’t feed it with useless speculation. Twitter spreads disinformation like a hooker spreads STD.
we got NOM dosan this episode wohooo! i hope DS understood now the full extent of how important his nice, big hands are to DM 🙂
@PM3 omg you got it! i gasped when i saw yongsan’s notebook with those names written on it (credit goes to petty chulsan who kicked the notebook out and smart saha who is good at anagrams). our gang doesn’t need JP running to save the day after all! :p
i believe the twins are not aware of evil stepbrother’s dirty move w/ the reporter? or am i wrong to assume this?
also i can’t help but get excited about the preview!!! i hope tarzan is finally getting jane her rock :p
hahaha, @hafunohane.
Tarzan should give Jane a BIG rock. hahaha. How much is an engagement ring now? Used to be a rock should be about 3 months salary. But hey, he can give her a Cracker Jack fake prize ring as long as he “puts a ring on it” already.
Just came to say I’m goanna miss this show so much, we’re almost there and we finally also came full circle this episode, our characters are right back to where they left of, this time grown, changed and better. Dosan and Dalmi have reunited and I’m so happy.
@packmule3
your last sentence cracked me up, but you’re right i should not go there.
I love the little scene where jp realize that he will never win, he’s an investor and he should know to cut one’s losses
and I want Tarzan to give Jane the biggest rock 2STO money can buy lol..
A visually impaired person guiding someone that hasn’t lifted a finger most of her life in a business venture … that’s sailing without a map, right? I just like the whole chain of decisions that leads to the story.
Ms. Cha – Just stepping up to her filial duties. Using alimony to rent commercial space for Ms. Choi to get her out of her funk.
Ms. Choi – Her decision to go along w/ the brick & mortal hot dog business which affected Dalmi’s decision to move ahead w/ the bid.
Ms. Seo – Who needs Tarot App when you got Ms. Choi. Her using the app that many times in that time span was pretty hilarious.
John_L,
I haven’t watched the whole thing. I just watched the Dosan Dalmi parts. (test drive, elevator scene, scene in front of the walls x2, scene when they were walking back to the run and Dosan picked up notebook with Artemis and Apollo).
But if I get this correctly, if Mrs. Cha bought a commercial space for her mother-in-law to get her out of her blue funk, then she really didn’t intend to make the business venture a money-earner. That would be a nice gesture.
Hopefully, Granny doesn’t use her NoonGil to check on the corndog appearance. Noongil could say something like, “an elongated object that looks like a beautiful poop” or something.
Morning group just set a trap against itself. The “news” they shared to the reporters will surely backfire. Firstly, the developers in charge when the ransomware incident happened are their current developers. Also, the twins walked out of office when Dosan came in to fix the issue cause they knew DS can fix it. It was an inside job done by them to extort money and at the same time, stage a reason to resign from Chungmyung company before joining MG.
Dosan saw Yongsan’s progress on the notes and he knew instantly who the culprits are after seeing it. So the interview surely went well.
The closing scene of JP running with urgency might be for another reason cause he doesn’t need to save them from the reporter.
🙂 Ella, anybody can say what he/she liked or didn’t like about the ending. Or a person can suggest an alternative ending. That’s fair. But to say that the writer/director had intended X but they went with Y, is a common tactic done by disgruntled fans. I would only believe it if the director or writer did a press statement or press release.
I haven’t listened to JP’s scenes. Will do later.
Im so annoyed with ppol on socmed hating on DS and DM lmao. Because of there “Good Boy” being the loser,,,
totally gonna miss this show after all,,, im so happy that DS and DM are back together and im so excited for the final episode tomorrow!!
I see my self very much in the DM’s scene when she keeps using the app to decide what to do.
Although I am not superstitious, very often when I have to decide between two alternatives I throw a coin. It doesn’t matter what the outcome is, but the feeling I get after seeing the outcome. If I am relieved it means that I unconsciously want to make that decision otherwise the opposite.
The fact that she keeps trying is the answer she can’t see 🙂
My mission yesterday was to fight against improvised business expert that pop up after the 3 min preview was released, so I spammed motivational speeches by Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos etc.
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
@yion Agreed. If you look at the top posts, it’s always people roasting Do San and mocking Dal Mi’s reasons for liking him. They’re totally missing the point of why she said she liked his hands. For them, Dal Mi liking Do San just because makes no sense. It’s possible to be drawn to someone and not be able to explain it. To me, Do San and Dal Mi are kindred spirits who went through the same hardships to achieve their dreams. Dal Mi recognized that in Do San early on.
The show was pretty blatant with Dal Mi and Do San as end game as early as the first episode (cherry blossom flying to Nam San Tech as “Future” by Red Velvet plays). The lyric are pretty telling. I feel like people would save themselves a lot of pain and heart ache if they just paid attention instead of hate-watching the series in denial.
Look, Yion. There’s nothing we can do about JP fangirls. So leave them be and don’t check their tweets. What’s the point?
They were the silly ones who built up this love triangle.
I’ve been saying here that JP was NOT a real contender for Dalmi. He never was a real competition for Dosan because this writer ALWAYS makes the BETTER guy win the girl’s heart. Anybody with moral standards of a kindergartner (haha) could see that JP wasn’t a good person while Dosan was Buddha. lol.
I even said that the scrunchie incident in Episode 8 was the dealbreaker. That was an asshole move by an second-leading character, male or female, in a typical drama. The writer put that scene for a reason.
Also, that lady in red? I said that lady in red was predicting JP’s future. He was Mr. Regrets because:
a. he regrets a lot of things
b. he always acts late
But what I was looking, and most of us here, is a rehabilitation of JP’s character so he actually lives up to his nickname “Good Boy.”
I am so excited to see how Dosan and team would use the info of Apollo and Artemis in the next episode..
Oh and I like the scene when Dosan is helping her mother preparing breakfast and asked about the side dish for Jipyeong. I was like 🥺🥺🥺.. Oh Dosan, what a misunderstood beautiful beautiful soul you are..
@John L
Yess, that was what I thought too!
I love the scene between Dalmi and her grandmother in the morning, and Dalmi and her mom. I finally got to see the mother’s happiness expression of her. Like Dalmi has forgiven her and she is thankful for her. It was so heartwarming 😊
And like @beingwritten said, I will going to miss this show too, reading all the posters comments, packmule3 amazing threads and analysis.. I learned a lot and I’m so happy.
🙂 No. I actually see it the other way, Illusyn. To me, Dalmi kept on using the app because SHE already KNEW that she wanted Dosan’s option — which was to bid on the contract. That’s why she was only focused on Dosan’s words, and not JP’s words. Deep down, she WANTED to do what Dosan said.
However, she also knew that there was going to be a big problem if she went with Dosan’s plan. It was a risky business. It could be a reckless move. She could jeopardize the company and so on.
So she asked the Tarot cards. The Tarot card said, No, you’ll get hurt. Don’t make any rash decision.
Then, she asked it again. And again. And again.
Now, I grew up with brothers and I raised boys. If they kept asking me several times after I already said NO!!!, then it was because they really wanted me to agree with them. They’re trying to see if I would change their mind.
Do you see what I’m saying?
It’s like when you have a medical condition, and you don’t like the doctor’s advice. Then you simply go ask another doctor and another doctor until you get the doctor who’ll tell you what you want to hear. You’re “shopping” for advice. 🙂
Same here.
Dalmi wanted to go with Dosan’s plan. She kept asking the Tarot HOPING that the Tarot would change its “mind” and give her the answer she wanted. She was insisting because she really wanted to bid on the contract… like Dosan advised her.
So when she went outside and talked to her Grandma. Grandma commented on her corndog business, saying, “Oh well, what can I do? We still have to try.” And Dalmi pounced on that. She considered that as a “sign” from the gods or a go-signal to go along with Dosan’s plan.
See that? She was only looking for an EXCUSE. If the Grandma had said something else, like “Oh! This corndog stand is really a risky business,” Dalmi would have delayed her business decision until she found a “sign” from somewhere else.
Do you see what I mean? She was looking for reason/heavenly sign/fate to give the thumbs up to Dosan. She wasn’t going to take NO for answer.
🙂
This MVP episode. MVP meaning Minimum Viable Product. I initially thought they meant Most Valuable Player.
Also I can’t believe after working on the self-driving car for weeks/months, Dosan and Dalmi still didn’t talk about what’s going on with them and the misunderstanding they have. Then I realized that Dosan must have continued to assume that JP & Dalmi is together or that Dalmi likes JP. So when JP asked Dosan when they were drunk-
JP: You’ll love her forever knowing it won’t be reciprocated?
Dosan: Yes. I’ll love her forever *swooon*
That scene got me. You can’t call Dosan selfish or greedy for that. He had admitted defeat and was going to accept that. I’m glad JP eventually gave Dosan enough reason to pursue Dalmi back though he said it in his usual critical tone…(and still no apologies for being the wedge between Dosan and Dalmi)
“I was going to keep playing dumb, knowing how dull-witted you are. But I can’t. … With those hands alone you beat our memories.”
Yes, Grace.
Yes, Dosan never asked her about JP. He just went along with his assumption that he’d been replaced.
That’s why his decision in “A Long Road” to just carry her with him, and take her with him even if it’s a burden on him (despite his misconception that he was unloved) makes him truly one of of the good guys out there. He accepted his “loss” and bore the pain.
🙂
Thanks pm3 for enlightening the scene. I got it now.
I never thought at the “shopping for advice” behavior.
I will use your explanation for some self analysis 🙂
@grace also for me was quite satisfying the closure of triangle by JP. He remained consistent with his character.
I mean if we contextualize their age, JP went from 33 to 36 and usually the growth rate in this age period is slower than the period between 26-29 so I think this is an additional point of credibility for the drama. He improved but just a little with respect to the DS. So for me it is not surprising that he didn’t apologize to ds
@grace
the word for DoSan’s i’ll love her forever here is actually very romantic “천년만년” or a thousand years ten thousand years.. 😍
I’m totally dosan dalmi shipper but I must say I cried a little when jp said “it’s okay. This is enough” while staring at the plant and letters
@pm3, ah yes the long road! That joins the dots for me…the scene from ep14. Will that put him under best boyfriend award, though I’m sure he doesn’t surpass XiaoNai?
@Illusyn, I am glad of the closure of the love triangle. Only JP can end that misunderstanding that he started when Dosan came back. They started with envy for each other and now acceptance (albeit reluctantly) with Dosan so much forgiving than JP.
Also some very late nuggets of info I just discovered, that Yeo Jin-gu was the voice of Noongil. 😛 and that this director of StartUp was the director of Hotel del Luna (one of my fav dramas that I do not mind watching again)
Wait. JP got both the plant and the letters? ALL the letters?
I said I didn’t care about the plant. And most of the letters could go.
But Dosan didn’t keep the “music box” letter? Or the “sail without a map” letter? lol. I thought Dosan could keep that one or both of these letters, and give him back the rest. Interesting.
@Ella, 😍😍😍😍😍😍 that is so beautiful! the Hangul words looks so consistently beautiful too.
Ep 15 left me fully satisfied. I’m impressed with Joo Hyuk’s acting here. His expression when he tried hard to be civil towards JP in the elevator (JP tried to make him jealous and argued his persuasion to DM plus he still assumed JP and DM in a relationship). His honest drunk talk with JP. His overwhelming emotions when he finally came again to DM after 3 years. And wrapped up by the return of his long lost signature smile that we barely saw after he went to 2STO. Once again, the man got the chance to follow his dream. Joo Hyuk did an excellent job portraying Dosan’s range of emotions here.
It’s a great conclusion for Dosan and Dalmi, but obviously not for large number of other viewers, lol. What intrigued me was some of them protested why DS didnt even thank JP for him being selfless letting Dalmi go. Uh… why the need to thank a person who had tricked him into false assuming him and DM had a relationship? if not for that, DS and DM reunion would take place sooner without any complication. JP basically being the culprit there.
Anyway that made me realize us and them kind of living in different SU dimension. They have their own SU story, so best to let them be even tho it pierced my heart to see how ugly they have bashed the main leads, even the director and writer. Still in awe why there were so many of them, means many people didnt actually comprehend what the whole drama is all about. But whatever, i guess they need to vent anyway.
Even tho it’s not flawless, but i personally think SU is a great drama. I’ve been emotionally involved with its story and characters and i will miss them a lot. The reunion of SST 2.0/Cheong Myeong was also one of the best moments in ep 15. Looking forward to how Park Hye Ryeon would wrap up the whole story in ep 16 tomorrow.
Just one more hurdle left for Dosan and Dalmi! Looking forward to them exposing the shady dealings of Morning AI.
@packmule3, DoSan photographed the letter with his phone. Later, he let Jipyeong take both the money tree and the tin of letters.
It was like a gift for DoSan to find Dalmi in front of the wall of tags. I liked that DoSan preempted Dalmi’s search for his tag; he both wanted to bid on the project and wanted her to read the words he wrote on his first day, “To clear up a misunderstanding.’
My heart was dropping when Dalmi looked uneasily away from DoSan and said she didn’t know the reason she liked him and why does he keep asking that question? But DoSan is more confident and asks again. Finally Dalmi answers him, with a subtly defiant tilt of her head. ‘Do I need a reason? I just like you. I don’t need a reason to like you. Because it’s you. You’re the reason. That’s all there is to it.’
This is when no reason is the best reason of all. This was the perfect answer for DoSan. It has nothing to do with skills, attributes, or achievements. Her love for him is an organic sort of love, indivisible, unconditional, unlimited. It compliments DoSan’s admission to Jipyeong that he would love her forever.
I thought the scene was very well directed and shot. -.Sometimes looking at Dalmi over DoSan’s shoulder or visa versa; sometimes from across the room half-hidden behind some object as though eavesdropping on them; even from above as though overlooking them from another floor. I kept thinking someone else would appear; Director Yoon perhaps or Jipyeong.
@Fern. I got the feeling that whilst Dalmi had moved on from the letters, DoSan had not. The fact that Dalmi said she before that she liked him because he was her first love, those letters and his big hands (out of those 3 reasons, his hands were the only ones that he could lay claim to). It felt like he wanted to keep those letters to reread them so he could somehow become more like the DoSan of the letters? To solidify his place in her heart? But there was no need. And JP in his final act of grace (mind you he’s never apologized for his jerk actions in the past and probably never will 🙄) took those letters with him, assuring DS that he didn’t need them anymore. That DM liked him for who he was. But naturally DS needed to hear it from the horse’s mouth. And so again persisted in asking her what it was about him that she liked, now that everything is out in the open. And she gave him the answer he needed to hear. She liked him for who he is. Aww… and I agree, that scene was shot perfectly. You could hear the echoes of their voices in that room as they spoke. Witnessed by all those baubles of wishes/dreams as a backdrop. Well wishes for them to chase that dream together. Sealed with a kiss. 😍
So he took a screenshot of the letter? Just that “music box” letter? And not the “sail without a map” letter? Lol. I really should watch this JP scenes. 😂
The tag scene.
I liked that they were both each other’s reason for joining Sand Box. I knew that she was his reason for joining. “To clear up a misunderstanding.” But I couldn’t figure out how Dosan fitted in HER plan to “take the elevator to the 34th (?) floor.” I’m glad to know that she wanted to follow him (she did say so, too, I just forgot) and be at his level (34th level).
Yes. For Dosan, no reason is the best reason. Just for who he is.
In fact, THAT’S the reason for the title, Fern. MVP. Minimum Value Product. 😂😂 I’ll explain on the blog.
Dalmi liked him for who he was = MVP
Minimum Viable Product
Dosan couldn’t understand bec he was an incomplete, incompetent person. Minimum VIABLE person. He had little value to offer her. But she said she’d accept him for who he was. As is.
No reason.
@nrllee : i’m intrigued when you note that “..JP never apologizes for his jerk actions i the past and probably never will”
I’m also wondering the same thing and I’m asking myself for a long time “why..”
one of the posters also said in another thread that maybe the way halmoni keep telling the affirmation word of “good boy” to him, the way how Dalmi feels okay with JP’s words and not get offended/hurt that bad (maybe she’s hurt but she forget it easily), the way how Director Yoon said to JP that their job is to give feedback even if it’s hurtful and that naturally some will resent them, and how his assistant is never said a single complaint to him of how his behavior sometimes irritating (or maybe his assistant doesn’t feel irritated at all 😅)..
the ones who have said that JP was wrong and should reflect to his attitude is Yongsan. And later he also said that JP’s truth is necessary and so forth.
And so I’m questioning myself and also I am curious too in the writer’s mind, so with these kind of environment how someone who was toxic is realized that he was “that” toxic while he has supports from the ones that he always look up to (Dir Yoon, halmoni, dalmi).. maybe this kind of people would never really feel that they are totally wrong. I imagined this in JP’s mind (yeah maybe im a lil bit wrong but …) there are many buts. So yeah, he maybe won’t feel that he need to apologize to Dosan at all.
And this bring me to.. what if we let this kind of habit growing in our society. We always have reasons for our mistakes, which could make our vision blurry to the fact that we’ve wronged someone or some creatures. It got me thinking too…that later when I become a parent someday, nomatter how I love my kids and think that they are the good boys/girls, if they did a wrong thing/bully someones, I want to be the parent who can say that it is wrong and they have to apologize. I want to point out that they did a bad thing but it doesn’t really mean that they are the bad person. So they still to acknowledge their mistakes, apologize and learn to become a better person.
I agree with you and nrllee.
I think that’s one reason why these fangirls persist on their delusions about JP, and they make excuses for his crappy behavior. The writer doesn’t show him APOLOGIZING to Dosan. Instead, the writer shows us Dosan asking for some food to pack for JP and JP hiding behind the wall post because he sees how good Dosan is.
Wellllllll… without that apology from JP, this whole scene goes over the head of the delusional fangirls. All they see is how cute JP is hiding behind the wall. They don’t attribute SHAME and GUILT to JP because they don’t hear him apologize for those elevator lies.
And that frustrates me about this writer. She lets JP slides. Without his admission of guilt, he still gets to be called “Good Boy.” (He’s cheating!! He’s actually the real cheater here in this drama. lol)
And I dislike how he comes out as the “Good Boy” for “advising” Dosan to “be confident. don’t feel inferior to me. talk to Dalmi.”
The nerve of this guy!!
He was the one who kept telling Dosan that he was inferior. He was the guy who started that shit about Dalmi being “his,” with the scrunchie, and jewelry box. And now, he’s blaming his victim?
Stupid JP fangirls talk about “gaslighting” when they don’t understand the meaning. They should stick to words commensurate with their level of literacy (or illiteracy). lol.
@packmule3
this reminds me of a quote i heard when i was a teenager that made sunch an impact for me:
“Don’t ask for a reward for doing what you are supposed to be doing in the first place.”
Doing good, be kind, all this are what we are supposed to do anyway.
jp was undoing the things he muddled up in the first place, while i won’t give him gold star or whorshipped him like the fangirl at least this is what i want from him a step in the right direction
and i also agree with you that the bar is set low with him, my expectation of him is very low, and they (Grandma, Director Yoon, etc) probably not excusing but just accepting what he did because he’s the best version of what he’s capable of. They don’t expect a man who only has one talent to produce ten talents.
DoSan is pretty much crucified and now that DalMi made her pick known she’s dragged along with him.
Are you planning on doing another parody?
I remember watching the first ep and thinking that the reason Jipyeong used Dosan’s name is because he was taking a photo with his parents and his win is celebrated by many, unlike Jipyeong who still suffered alone… and i’m glad that (at the very least) Jipyeong admitted that he’s envious.
I think i have a very low bar for Jipyeong now because even after three years he didn’t change. He is still petty and cruel with his words. Now that he backs off i wish the writer won’t make him a “hero” again.
I am quite interested with the preview, Jipyeong saying the letters give him comfort… while i don’t even remember any moment where Jipyeong took the letters to heart? I kinda feel that Jipyeong took the letters for granted at that time and just realize his loss when Dalmi was falling for Dosan.
I agree with moonstar512 point that people close to Jipyeong normalise his behaviour, hence he doesn’t really change his ways… but it is ironic that his fangirls keep whining about Dosan’s lack of growth 😆😆 i think they don’t understand that what is amazing about Dosan is how success doesn’t change his good nature.
Parody? Thank you, but no thank you. It’s very difficult to write parodies because I’ve to get inside the HEAD of a JP fangirl and I’ve kenophobia (fear of empty spaces. lol)
Wait will answer you quickly on the blog.
Ep 15 is I think my favorite episode. So many happy moments.
The happy result of the test drive with their new group photo where all of them were happy.
Dal Mi and Do San holding hands in a celebratory pose after the test drive.
In Jae again having something to brag about to Mr Won and son.
In Jae pushing Dal Mi to bid in the Smart City vehicle project and saying she’ll support her.
Sa-ha getting jealous over Chul-San’s vlog commenters.
And that Chul-San and Sa-ha kiss! Chul-San getting weak on the knees after hehe.
That one of one of Ji Pyeong and Do San. How they envied one another. At least Ji Pyeong was honest in that scene coz he was drunk.
Do San still caring for Ji Pyeong with a takeout.
The 2nd DoDal kiss! With a beautiful line of “Do I need a reason? Because it’s you. There all of that to it.”
In Jae and Dal Mi discussing the SandBox logo while teasing each other. Even Director Woon was smiling.
Ji Pyeong conceding. (He never wanted to fully invest in the first place to that romance.)
That tense elevator scene where we see the different viewpoints of Do San and Ji Pyeong in business and love.
Dal Mi appreciating her mom for “activating” grandma again from her hibernation.
Chul-San getting jealous of Yong-San with Sa-ha.
Excited for the finale later especially with In-Jae saying she is Seo In-Jae not Won.
Yeah @packmule3 @moonstar512 with no apology about past wrongs there will be no change. He’ll just go on being the same sanctimonious jerk that he was in the past? I thought his tears before Grandma was the beginning of some monumental shift in his character but no… whilst he had that fleeting in vino veritas moment in Ep15 he never did admit to any wrongdoing on his part. Just a lame excuse that he was just longing for the warmth of family that DS had (poor lonely boy) – a justification from his point of view? And that somehow absolves him from all his derogatory behavior and snide cutting remarks. 🙄. Bad behavior is bad. Until it is called out for what it is…bad, there will be no impetus to change for the better.
@nrllee, I agree with what you wrote about Dalmi moving on from the letters but DoSan hadn’t. It was confirmed for me when she watched Chulsan’s vlog. Yes, he had to hear it directly from her and I’m glad he persisted instead of giving up when she couldn’t define her reasons. You said it very well.
I agree with @packmule, DoSan is her MVP and I could also see him as the unique value
product in a Blue Ocean strategy way because for her, he stands outside of any potential competition (insurance guy, JP, others) and not just for his hands. I keep seeing that shot of the catamaran from the air surrounded by blue water.
Off topic a bit: @moonstar512 and @Ella, I think that exaggerated praise, entitlement and lack of responsibility are definitely problematic in our society and it’s seen in many adults who are handing it down to the younger generation. It’s hard to fight against that trend when it seems that entitlement reaps rewards. I think that your sensitivity to this will make you good parents.
@packmule, I was wrong about DoSan photographing the music box letter. He took his phone out because Jipyeong called him. DoSan said he’d keep the letter and Jipyeong could keep the money tree. Jipyeong then shows up at the house anyway and shames DoSan in front of his family in order to get the letter.
I noticed the Union Jack design on the box the letters were in. Was there something similar on the shelf in R88? I’ve seen it somewhere. Also DoSan’s parents’ home made liqueurs like Deok-sun’s father. I heard a mention of ginseng liquor.
@Fern the Union Jack appeared in a lot of the props (when JunWan was around) because it foreshadowed IkJun’s sister IkSun leaving for UK. 😂. It was a blanket (?) draped on the bed (?) that they had in their office (as JunWan slept whilst JunWon was on the phone with the Priest in Italy?). And it appeared elsewhere as props (I think it was also on a tissue box in the Director’s home when JunWan called him to tell him he’d accept the position of Chief of CS). I can’t remember any of the other instances but I am sure if you search hard enough you would find more.
Hopefully, he took a screenshot while JP slept then. Because that’s part of his memories too.
😂 That’s why I wished Dalmi had written him letters too during their 3 year separation. Something like a “Dear Diary.” She could tell him her daily musings.
That would have taken out the sting of her words when she told Dosan he wasn’t the letter writer.
I knew I saw it somewhere else. So it was HP and I was searching in the wrong drama. 🤦🏼♀️ Thanks @nrllee. ⭐️ I wonder if it’s just something that was popular at a certain point in time and being shown to reference an era? Or if someone from SU will be going to the U.K.?
@packmule, Dalmi’s thoughts during the 3 years may still come out, but they probably wouldn’t make any difference. I think, like you said before, the Tarzan project undertaken during that time would be her love letter, embellished and confirmed with her words before the campfire at the hut.
@Fern
amen i surely hope to be a good parent one day
another thoughts on Episode 15, i was wishing that DoDal would reconcile back in the hut on Ep14 and am i glad now that didn’t happen then because we got to see DoSan in all his selfless love for DalMi, staying by her side, supporting her irrespective of his pain. Proving again and again why he’s the hero of the story and why i’m still smitten.
@Ella, I will wish for you to discover someone with Dosan’s good qualities or even to see them in yourself. He is pretty stellar.
Omgggggg the final episode is sooooo good!!! I’m so content!! My heart is about to burst from happiness!!! (sorry for my excessive exclamation marks) but everything is just so beautiful and satisfying!!!!
Best ending everrr!!! Super love the power walk. It gave me goosebumps more than the kissing scenes and all other DoDal moments. I’m glad how all loose ends were tied together.
I want to ship NJH and Suzy in real life. Haha!
I’ve been a reader of this blog since “King Eternal Monarch .” I really do enjoy reading and watching analyses after watching a movie/series or reading a book…to look for a deeper meaning.
I love and appreciate how there’s one for K-drama as well, as I really do enjoy K-dramas.
Reading this blog here makes me really happy…and makes my drama watching complete.
So thank you so much Pm3 and everyone else who’ve been putting in their inputs! I really appreciate you all.
Just finished start up and I started watching this because I’m working on running a marketing agency, a business.
I appreciate the transformation of Dalmi… from wanting to start a business to outdo her unnie Seo In Jae…to running a business to make an impact to the world.
One person I look up to, my mentor, actually started like that. He started in the hopes to buy new shoes for himself and to treat his family to a fast food restaurant once a week.
Now, he’s helping start up businesses mostly in the marketing world scale to 7 figures and ultimately change a whole country (or something like that.) Haha I really enjoyed this drama.
I said I was only in it for the business side, but girl! I enjoyed the love love love as well! awweee.
At first, I really liked JP. But on the 2nd episode, when he trashtalked Do San, Yong San and Chul San when they asked him to mentor them (or invest in them). When he responded to them, I was shocked.
“Wait, that was kinda mean.” Me said..
Anyways, JP still cute tho with his dimples and ol.
And I’ve got to be honest, I was lowkey rooting for him for 13 episodes straight. Without hating on Do San ofcourse, he a sweet pea. It’s just that the way the drama established his character on the first episode stayed with me for 13 episodes straight. And I guess the same thing happened for some of the viewers. Even my sister was confused “please tell me who the lead guy is?” she said.
But, I’m grateful for having read this Blog. I’ve been enlightened. And wow, it’s scary how I haven’t fully recognized JP’s toxic tendencies. Does that say anything about the environment I live in? Does it mean that I maybe being subjected to toxic behavior as well and not noticing (and tolerating) it? And could the other JP swoon-girls could be too?
Now, I want a guy like Dosan. After reading this blog, I was able to look and observe Dosan well. hahaha The way he treats Dalmi was so well. The way he reassures her and believes in her. I’m like…aweeee “muh heart, muh soul”
I’m like “do I really want someone who would discourage me when I want to grow, or someone who would support me in my adventures and endeavors?”
On another topic:
Thank you Pm3 for all the stuff you’ve posted. I’ve read them and was able to enjoy the drama better with a deeper understanding.
“Going on an adventure with the person you choose to love.”
I watched ep 16 with that in mind.
My other inputs:
Heheh I’ve been a long reader of this blog. I’ve attempted to comment so many times hoping I could share something of vaLue.
So lemme try.
On Injae’s transformation : I’ve noticed that Injae had long pretty hair during the beginning of the Kdrama. 🙂
I thought the only significance of her cutting her hair was symbolic of her rebellion and anger for being ejected as ceo of naturemorning.
But, as I watched the end of episode 16, I realized that cutting her hair was also symbolic of her journey back to when she was Seo In Jae. She had the same haircut as a kid.
When she cut her hair, it might be symbolic of following the footsteps of her father… “building a better future” hahaha idk if theres a real significance to her hair but thats what I think. 🤣
On JP: Hmmm…. his journey was that of an investor who only cares about money to an investor who cares for a cause.
He’s become self aware also during the part where he said “I had 15 yrs and didnt search for you. Dosan read it once and came looking for you”. Maybe at that part, he realized he didnt really love Dalmi? Or idk.
Anyways to end this comment, hehe my favorite scene from this drama is the part where Dalmi, Dosan and Jipyeong were stuck in the elevator.
do san: Dalmi I think we should bid something something* (something about joining the thingy)
Dalmi: You know that this isnt something we can tackle. And its highly unlikely that we’ll get it.
Do San: I know, I don’t expect us to get it. Still, we should…
Ji Pyeong : Why bother? It’s a lot of work for something you don’t exoect to succeed at.
Do San: That’s why we should do it. That way, it’ll be easier next time… it’ll be a learning experience…you oass failure on your way to success.
You see, I watch dramas and movies to learn from it and apply it on my way of living. And this scene right here speaks to me.
I always say “no” to opportunities I feel I have a small chance of winning or succeeding. And this scene right here motivated me a lot to change my ways.
Anyways, after this scene wss a heartfelt scene as well…where he talked about how sailing without a map was incredibly wonderful for him (then looking at Dalmi)
Anyways! That’s it for me. Than you so much pm3 and others. Thank you for being part of my joys. I’ll be looking forward to ur upcoming posts for the 2 final episodes.
-Sky
I don’t this show to end 🙁 🙁
Episode was a tearjerker especially with Halmeoni and In Jae’s meeting. Also cry-worthy was the SamSan Tech team reminiscing their old days in their old office.
It was nice to see Ji Pyeong find his worth in personally investing to the organization that helped orphans. I think that is the start of his healing and moving on.
Chul-San being introduced to Sa-ha’s sister was a nice scene too. I actually remember a friend of mine, a lawyer, who married a man as cheerful as Chul-San. 🙂
The scene of YongSan apologizing to In-Jae was unexpected but gave hope for a budding romance. Might be a teaser to them working together in another series https://www.kdramapal.com/start-up-actor-kim-do-wan-lead-upcoming-webtoon-based-drama-frightening-cohabitation/
I was contented with the happy ending for most of the characters but I wish episode 16 wasn’t the final episode and they extended it to 20 episodes. Some scenes felt rushed like that 3 year gap. Would have liked to see how they celebrated winning that bid, the wedding of DoDal, more of Chul-San and Saha, Ji Pyeong working with orphans, Seo family bondings, Nam and Seo family meeting, Mr. Nam opening his wine for engagement, and the Seo sisters being SandBox mentors. Maybe there could have been an episode to discuss more of the business terminologies.
Overall, this kdrama is truly a memorable one for me where I first fought for my team – Team DoSan. As always, there were a lot of lessons about family. It is also about being brave in love and in business, about maturing as a person, forgiveness, and following your dreams.
Gaaaaaah. I’m so satisfied with the ending. The 4 leads walking together and are in good relationship. I probably wouldn’t have it any other way.
That’s a wrap for Start Up 😭🎂. It’s been a journey with you guys 😀. From someone who felt alone first because she’s already rooting for Dosan when everyone’s rooting for Jipyeong, it sure is a development when I am rooting for our people in the drama to be happy and content.
Notes in the last episode/ squeal moments 😁:
1) Yeo Jin Goo’s appearance! Goodness, full circle when our Yeongsil finally become a human, iykwim 😃. Seriously, I freaked out when he appeared!
2) Chulsan our boy!!! Aaaahhhh, really I’m so thrilled when he was finally introduced to Saha’s sister like boy you’re Saha’s chosen one! 😆😄😃
3) Injae and Grandma finally meet 😭😭😭. And her reason for not visiting is because she felt shame because she was a Won, because she abandoned her family and everything 😢. Injae-yah, you suffered so much. You did great sweetie 😊.
4) Youngsan yes! A better man than Jipyeong when he apologized to Injae! Yes, we never got an apology from Jipyeong pffft. But I guess his humbling down when he have to invest in Cheongmyeong company is as close as we can get.
5) After many years, Jipyeong finally praised Park Dongcheon! Yes Mr. Park, finally!
6) Dosan and Dalmi in the church and the rainbow scene! Hahaha Idk what to think as a religious, but yes a little faith goes a long way than no faith at all. It is also shown here how our couple balance each other out. And also, pray and make it happen!
7) Grandma’s visit to Jipyeong. Grandma finally telling Jipyeong he can come to her whatever and whenever 😭. That’s the healing Jipyeong needed. He has a family to go to.
8) The power walk! With holding hands! Need I say more?!
9) Chulsan wearing a beanie!!! Hahaha then Youngsan would’ve given each of the team 1 million/billion won!!! Also that team member who promised a sports car for each member!! It’s so crazy just imagining it 😂. Also yes Saha and Chulsan officially known as a couple!
As a lowkey Injae-Jipyeong shipper who just wish for them to have a scene that would at least imply a budding romance, it’s a bummer that we didn’t get to witness DoDal wedding, because I’ve been imagining that in the toss the bouquet scene, the bouquet would somehow be caught by Jipyeong then he would give it to Injae because she’s near him 😅. Yeah, that’s the hopeless romantic in me.
But hey, at least we got an Injae-Jipyeong scene we’ve been waiting for! The conversation that hit Jipyeong really hard, seeing how he somehow didn’t realized that Dalmi has grown as a businessperson and how he is not depended on anymore.
Ah there’s so much to be satisfied with! The twins are caught and invistigated, Won father having lost his credibility, etc.
What a journet indeed. Start Up, thank you.
I forgot this one!
10) Samsan Tech going back to their roots and passing the baton to the new generation. Yes boys, you did it! You good souls did it 😢. Dosan is lucky to have Chulsan and Youngsan by his side. Really, it’s a goal to find people like the Samsan Tech! Being there with you despite the hardships and inconvenience and everything.
Well, we wish to witness their lives then but it’s a good ending to the story. We’ll not gonna like to see them struglle again do we, especially in 2020 with corona times 😁. Yeah hahaha ok thanks guys! It’s fun reading all the posts and comments here. Till the next drama 😉.
Me too! Loved the last episode, one of the most satisfying kdrama ending for me. I was hoping for them to be announced the winner of the bid so we can see Dosan proposing to Dalmi, but we know he was going to give her the rock anyway.
So many scenes in the last episode was as tear-jerker for me…sorry spoilers spoilers.
– when Dosan visited grandma with the cute knitted cactus
– when grandma visited JP at his home. I also realized that what how JP viewed what he owed grandma as something he must return but grandma says to pay it forward instead.
– when Saha introduced Chulsan to her sister.
– when Samsans went back to the old office space and reminisced their time there. So love their friendship!! Dosan has to be assured by his friends that they were not upset that their time was wasted, the 3 years in that office was precious memories for them instead. JP’s words sure has power to bring down a person when he chided Dosan long time ago that he wasted his friends time.
– when Injae finally went back to her real family and announced that she changed her last name back to Seo (her smudged mascara throughout was hilarious). and when grandma remembers the past of how Injae looked like.
Thank you all for sharing your joys and analysis in this whole drama, especially @pm3 for making it so clear such that I can appreciate the story in a much deeper level. I learnt a little more about startup business, AI and identifying toxic behaviour and so much more. It was a marvelous journey! Like @BeingWritten, i didn’t want the show to end! (not sure what to watch next now since this is the only show i am chasing 😛 )
First, @Fern: thank you for your kind words, I really hope that I could be great parent someday 😊
I remembered that I said on one of the threads here that I wish the writer give us the satisfying ending. I am wondering about all of you, because… I had a blaaast.. I keep a low bar first so that I don’t get disappointed 😅
I really treasured most scenes in this finale, some of them:
1) Samsan tech going back to their first workplace. I have this “It’s the end of the era” vibe, and I got teary eyed. I wish that the actors in real life will keep being friends and support each other.
2) When Dosan met Halmoni. Oh my.. the actress who plays Halmoni is so great. I can feel her love and gratitude towards Dosan. And vice versa. Plus the way how Dalmi look at him while having their moment with Halmoni. 🥺
3) Injae going back home. Hugging Halmoni and crying. I was like laughing-crying when seeing her mascara runs off, but she still play it cool in front of her sister and mother. And when Halmoni imagine the scene when his son (dalmi and injae dad) is home bringing fried chicken. O my….
4) HJP met the owner of Yongshil voice.. and mesmerized by it. Lol. (Do you see the sparks in his eyes on this scene?) But I’m glad to see how he finally talks sincerely to other person, in here.
5) Dosan grab HJP hands and hugging with each other. This scene showing me how big Dosan’s heart is.
Extra:
– I am quite surprised by the scene on Yongsan and Injae. I never thought of it before, but it made me imagine that how the character of Injae might need someone with Yongsan character to complement each other, haha
– The ending scene where the 4 leads walk together, isn’t it taken from the teaser of this drama?
Looking forward to read all your comments of this finale.. 😊🎉
Dear packmule 3,
Thanks for this space and all your sharing. It made following the long road of this start up extra beautiful.
I have a huge soft spot for JP (he is just so flawed), and I appreciated how well you highlighted the nuances and depths of Dosan’s love (certainly made accepting the sinking of the ship, that happened around ep 4, for me that much easier.
As a goodbye to this series, I loved the ending elevator scene, and also the intense elevator scene (where we finally have all three in the same space) in episode 15 (the writer even had to cause the lift to malfunction lol).
JP and Dosan’s approach to the Smart City project is their approach to love (and Dalmi). Dalmi at one point asks why are they discussing work (but I think it’s actually Dalmi lol). At this stage in the drama, Dosan didn’t expect to get her anymore but it doesn’t stop him. JP tells him he is being reckless. You cannot sail off without a map. You will die.
But, this is of course, precisely why JP got left behind as Dosan and Dalmi sailed off. Dosan says he may have failed but he does not regret. Never did and never will.
To put so much time and effort into something that you might lose, is a waste to JP. As an investor, he likes a sure win calculated risk approach.
But for Dosan, Dalmi is his life (THE dream as he told Alex). He could lose, but he could survive. And that’s a trailblazer!
Which is why Dalmi follows Dosan out of the lift (and JP is left behind again).
That’s the last we see them as a trio till the final power walk.
It’s been such a great journey. Thank you.
i wish halmoni would give corndogs and a hug since i have been crying buckets the entire series. will be back when things, nay i, have calmed down.
as always, grateful for everyone’s analyses and insights. thanks for the space @packmule3.
The most satisfying ending 💕
Even jp himself admit it 👍🏻
He said it to dalmi “even after reading your letters, i didnt look for you in 15 years. Mr nam, on the other hand. Went to you the day he read them.
So im not the nam dosan from the letters”
Very well said 👍🏻 Lol
But i dont know if jp shipper will understand what he actually said 🤭
The things i hate about this drama only shipper from other ship, some of them start to hate sz njh for real.
like bruh.. this is sz njh drama 🤦♀️
JP said that? 😂😂 Reminds me Reply 1988 Junghwan! He sat and went to watch Forrest Gump. And I timed it! (I was the obsessive 😂) He sat through about about HOUR of Forrest Gump before he realized that he should have gone to DeokSun who was waiting in the cold. He knew DeokSun was stood up by her date bec her date was in the movie theater with him. 🤦♀️😈😂😒
Meanwhile, Taec, who had an important baduk game, went to the tournament hall, apologize to the sponsors and his opponent, and forfeited the game for the first time EVER in his life just to go to Deoksun’s side.
So yes. In kdrama, the guy who made the effort to show up wins the girl.
I even wrote about here, too. All this problem with Dosan could have been avoided if JP had gone up to Dalmi himself in the beginning when Granny approached him to look for Dosan. He could have revealed to her that he was Dosan and apologized for his role.
But noooo. He was embarrassed that he wrote those letters. He didn’t want to own up that he’d written those letters.
He’s always discarding things and regretting it later. Maybe next time he’d do better.
From the start I never thought JP ever really “loved” Dalmi. For him it was the thought of “losing her” (and with her his spot in her family with Grandma) which was his motivation for courtship. That’s why he never moved until the real DS showed up. And why he didn’t do anything in the 3 years time jump. DS was the thorn in his side. Deep down, he wanted to be like DS (Good Boy like Grandma believed he was) but he kept failing at it. It’s like how your faults are further amplified when you stand next to someone who is clearly the better man. He hated that and it showed.
Such a satisfying ending. Thank you, Writer. I loved the photos. Chulsan with his beanie to cover his shaved head! Wedding photos (no long engagement here.), family photos, team photos and a posh airy office with a view.
Did anyone catch what the new tenants’ business was? -Not that it really matters, just curious.
I thought it was interesting that DoSan has developed a really good fashion sense. In the scene where Jipyeong tells him about Director Yoon’s proposed investment. Jipyeong is wearing probably a very chic yellow tartan designer coat, but next to DoSan’s understated soft-looking tweed coat and roll neck sweater, he looks slightly clownish.
How great that Mr Hong compares his company’s mentors to Ko Gil-dong, harking back to the T-shirt lent to Jipyeong by Halmoni. 😊
Thank you, @packmule, for guiding us on this upward road. Thanks to all the posters, too, for elucidating so many ideas to value in this unique drama.
So wholesome and inspiring! Thank you, show, for a well told story. And thank you, @pm3 and everyone who shared their insights here.
@Fern thank you kindly and sending you *many virtual hugs*
What an ending to a great series, in the ending interview the cast seems to mentioned the long 8 months shoot quite often. With the C-19 situation the cast and crew must have had a harder time. Made me appreciate it even more.
Some things I want to highlight on the last episode:
– On why InJae refused to go home, she wanted to come back as Seo and not Won
– Jp saying it out loud that he’s not DoSan on the letter either and that he had it for 15 years but did nothing, DoSan had it for one day and he went to DalMi
I think it’s a sastifying conclusion all around but of course the fangirl is mad and now trying to organize a riot to boycott the drama because their oppa deserve better lol
What a heartwarming and satisfying ending (the kind of ending I had hoped DDSSLLS might have had…)! I cried a few times as I watched it (something I rarely do with k-drama finales recently). I don’t think it needs a second season.
Thanks to everyone here who helped me see SU’s value from the beginning so I didn’t give up after the first episode (I wasn’t sure I was all that interested in startups and technology so I wasn’t fully invested in it right away). I’m also glad @packmule3 convinced me earlier that Do San was the best choice for Dalmi, so that I let go of my Good Boy favoritism and could clearly see and appreciate Do San’s kindness, steadfastness, intelligence, and perceptiveness.
I will miss the grandma and her warm heart so much.
BTW I think we could start another post on the visuals/art direction of this show. In looking at this OST on YouTube (https://youtu.be/2dEeiY_w3xE), I realized how much the color pink appeared in the first episode–the cherry blossom(s), the pink envelopes, the sisters’ dresses, the birdhouse; in a later episode, the sand on the beach that Do San took Dalmi and her grandmother to is awash in pink tones. I’m sure there are other examples.
This drama was beautiful. I think of all the dramas of 2020 I’ve seen so far, this has an ending I’m very satisfied with. Yes we could have seen more family and friends scenes but overall I’m happy, it was open but with enough details about what direction the writer wanted to end things.
It has been such a journey! I tuned out round ep 10 because I was just so done with all the noise and I think I got a little fed up with the drama itself but I’m glad I came back to finish it. This site was definitely helpful in reminding me that this is a great story. Dosan is a beautifully written character, his gestures were by no means grand but they were meaningful and he was so thoughtful! JP on the other hand gave me a headache, he has too many flaws to mention, lol.
One thing that had me confused was JP heart eyes (you could LITERALLY see it and I was like erm why is he fangirling right now😂) when he met the CEO (Yeo Jin Goo’s cameo). A comment on here saying YJG’s voice is Noongil makes sooo much sense cos I kept thinking I knew the voice but couldn’t place it. No wonder JP said he’d invest because he liked his voice! Really liked the power couple walk scene too!
Not the biggest fan of Nam Joo Hyuk or Suzy, I think their acting skills are on the weak side but they’ve impressed me with this, definitely some of their best acting moments.
Looking forward to seeing the cast in their future projects!
ah, we’ve reached the end of our “long road.”
i’m quite content with the ending, especially since i got seo injae’s scenes with halmoni and the whole fambam & another dodal’s kisseu scene :p
this drama is not without its flaws (and lots of cheeseballs scenes), but it led me to discover another side to the actress who played rosa in HP (what! a! great! actress!) and to a certain extent, motivated me with my work 🙂
i had the biggest smile when DS carried the knitted cactus! i needed that quirky hobby of his to survive the timejump and it did!
and look at DS being the bigger man of the two during the handshake scene.. they even shared a short hug…
halmoni’s scene with JP and the flashback with the deceased dad and the sisters’ younger selves broke me to pieces.
from the moment the realization hits her that DS & DM are back together (that subtle slight change in her gaze are just.. wow) up to the moment she told JP to not become any lonelier. when she said she can see injae and we’re given the flashback i know the waterworks are coming in. oh, and i love that DM fixed injae’s music box and injae just coolly took it back 🙂
despite the crazy fanwar “noise” that i’m glad i was able to filter out, i’m forever thankful for this drama for breaking the glass ceiling by showcasing tough, smart female leaders (let’s not forget CEO Yoon and Saha) and last but not least, for including that heartwarming scene between the samsan trio at their old office!
“first, you pray.
then you make it happen.”
Yes i read it on your earlier post about start up.
And when it was happened i also think same.
That why on earlier ep i only think jp is cute guy but not as dalmi love interest..
i actually liking ksho too. But yeah, i probably might never ever hype his drama in the future unless you make post about the drama.
😆
I cant forget how they bashing suzy and njh, discredit their work, cursing them from character to real life as sz njh. So its impossible for to be friend with toxic ppl😴
Bitches safe place to all minorities who talk about the whole context in the drama. Not delusional one.
👍🏻
Hello! Are you still going to post a blog about Start Up Episode 16 Finale?
Yes. After I finish watching the episode. 😂
I’m starting to think that the fans who make excuses for what should have been Jipyeong’s poor attitude and unprofessional behavior at work are probably those that may have not experienced the corporate/working environment yet?
I could relate with @Sky about the scene in the second episode when Jipyeong belittled the team and I disagree with his behavior and approach because (please do correct me if I may have understood things wrongly)he’s supposed to be a professional mentor, I mean that’s his actual job and while a few people compared his dismissive behavior being relatively mild compared to how start-ups are criticised in shows like Shark Tank, that’s not how it works.
This is because Sanbox has a very specific function which is to be a “safe” environment to help these start-up companies while Shark Tank is a reality TV show. While elements of Shark Tank exist in the show as part of the evaluation process, an organisation that exists for the purpose of nurturing the potential start-ups. There’s constructive criticism, instructive criticism and destructive criticism. Jipyeong was using the third version on a rather regular basis when it comes to pre-Sandbox Samsan Tech. Is it because he was expecting them to be able to take it because they’re all (big) boys and can take a harder hit?
In a corporate environment, there are behavioral patterns you would identify being toxic and sometimes, like me, learn to tolerate in the long term but always reminding myself not to emulate no matter how much I like the person. Some of the things that Jipyeong does fall into the category of toxic leadership. I didn’t like how he treated his assistant even from the earlier episodes and I thought Dongchun, the assistant, has the patience of a saint in dealing with Jipyeong. If my boss at work had dealt with my co-worker dismissively in that manner, I can only be respectful of the position he’s holding rather than respecting the actual person. My colleague used this term “respect the chair, not the person”.
I have to admit, I feel a bit ashamed watching Jipyeong because I see some similarities with him that I’ve worked very hard to overcome.
I started from the bottom of the ladder and worked very hard to prove myself and reach the position I am now. The journey wasn’t easy for me and because of that, the experience helped me to be tougher and develop high expectations for myself. So it should come as no surprise that when I became a manager, I subjected my staff to an equally steep and tough learning curve and was giving them a tough time, as tough as it was when I started out as a junior executive (my bosses are prone to be those who will drop you at the deepest end of the pool, repeatedly, and rewarding you handsomely if you survive). I wrongly thought that subjecting them to the same the learning curve and experience that I had gone through would help them to be stronger, cope faster and become more agile and dynamic at work.
I didn’t understand that different people learn things differently and as a leader, I shouldn’t take the easy way of replicating my experience on them and expecting the same or better results. As a leader, my job is to help them realise their potential and enable them to contribute to the team in the best way possible. Sure, it doesn’t mean that I would tolerate bad behavior but now, I have learned to be more patient, appreciate their talent and capabilities as well as help them to overcome any negativities because we’re working as a team.
I know I’m rambling here, I apologise for going off-track but at the end of the day, you can only do so many things for Mr. Dimples until you’ll flip the table out of frustration because of his rude behavior. And then get called to HR for domestic inquiry. It’s not fun to be at the receiving end of the dismissive insults and I don’t understand how the fans could excuse this type of behavior.
@Lovebangwon speaking of the whole context, i find it very fitting that our CEO who wanted to take the upper-level elevator as her original wish decided to have her desk (and Dosan’s) out in the open a la coworking space (istead of having a room of her own), and on the lower floor to boot (at least that’s what it looks like to me from the cameraworks)
@Esst3, you could find a few, if not many Start-Up behind the scenes videos of NJH and Suzy where they encouraged each other especially during emotional scenes and I find those to be very sweet to watch. One of it was the scene where drunk Dosan was trying to rehearse how to explain to his dad about Dalmi being the company’s CEO and instead of apologizing to his dad, he was apologizing to Dalmi for the deception and the scene showed Dalmi wearing the blue dress at the networking event crying in front of him. So as you know
In the BTS video, both were clearly overwhelmed, even after completing the scene NJH asked to do it one more time, and later Suzy was comforting NJH from across the table saying “you did well”.
As a very emotional drama and both of the leads being known as actors that are highly “valued” for their looks, I respect them for the dedication and effort to improve their craft, both Suzy and NJH have come a long way and I’ll certainly be supporting their future work 🙂
@pm3, do you find any flaws in the drama or the ending. Overall I loved all of it even the resolution of JP, except that if he had apologised like Yongsan does, it would have been better. So many people didn’t think JP had a good or happy ending…probably because he didn’t get the girl? But honestly, one can be single and happy and he did look happy on the way to the shareholders meeting at the end..hmm.
I have read some reviews that the writer relies a lot on stereotypes and it was so for the second half. Am I not seeing something because in life things are not perfect either, things that we should do does not get done, should we blame the writer for not letting Injae know about grandma’s blindness till so much later. Usually I feel like I will let that detail slide. In short, what will constitute a good drama?
I’m still working on Ep 15. I don’t want to watch Ep 15 until I’m done with this. (that will make me work faster)
I took time off today, though. The gardeners are coming to replace the flowerbeds so let me see if I can finish this today while supervising the men. 🙂
No worries take your time 🙂
Lovely to have new flowerbeds! What will you grow there?
I was very happy with the last 2 episodes and it had all the closures needed. I just wished that Dalmi officially turned down HJP but maybe this is also designed by the writer? There was never a love triangle to begin with or at least she already decided with AHA moment during the beanbag scene. From a realistic point of view, being a junior of HJP and his mentee, it’s really awkward situation for DM so she was just ignoring or acting blasé about HJP’s so called confessions (by chewing carrots). If HJP pressed her harder, it can cross the line of sexual harassment.
Whatever happened to that jewelry case? 😛
My other wish would have been more DM perspective like internal monologue on her dilemmas and decision making and journey as CEO. I really got to know DS through his. And no apologies from JP?!!! Other than that, Halmeoni was the heart of the drama and the closures with her (DS, JP, InJae) were tear jerkers in the last ep. InJae is redeemed in my eyes, she is a leader and mentor with chops (much better than JP!)
other subliminal messages… follow women, because we are the future! 😊 Cheers to strong female roles in this kdrama!
I have VERY few gripes about this drama.
I understand Injae’s personal feelings about not wanting to reunite with her family while she still ‘legally’ had the Won surname. But…she wasn’t only hurting herself by staying away. I’m glad she made it back to her family. I started to get really worried in that same scene when grandma said she could see everyone (including dead son who asked her to come over to join him…) Maybe it was only me?
Something else I couldn’t ignore was DoSan’s bike. Now this is purely a petty Mother reaction: ‘You did what? Left your bike chained to a tree up some god-forsaken canyon?’ I wanted to see it strapped onto Dalmi’s car or stuffed in the boot. Harrumph. Because I’ve had rather a lot of that this year.
Do you think that Start Up’s narrative declined on the second half? I don’t think so, but what do you think?
hahaha. Did the second half decline? Who’s suggesting that it did? A JP fangirl?
If so, she’s just being sour grapes. Her guy didn’t get the woman so she’s GASLIGHTING (hahaha) people who cheered for the Dosan-Dalmi ending.
I thought the story ended strong. There was no loose ends. The writer controlled the narrative tension and pacing exceedingly well.
The time leap came at the right time. Their reunion came at the right time, and the love confession came at the right time. And I like that we had Ep 16 to give everybody else a time to shine and close their story.
It was no easy task.
I’m glad that there was no deus ex machina, where the gods or fate suddenly stepped in and rescued Dosan or Dalmi. The story and character development flowed logically and organically.
The emotional epiphany or aha moment peaked at the right time. For instance, stupid-ass JP found out that he’d been a donkey’s ass at the same time that he blamed Samsan Tech guys for stupidly falling for the “acquihiring” trick of Alex.
Who was the bigger fool there? At least, Samsan Tech’s downfall was due to their lack of business experience. But what was his excuse for not realizing that NoonGil provided an important service for the visually impaired people like Grandma?
I say his lack of humanity.
His emotional epiphany came he realized that the assistance he begrudged of Dosan had repercussions on his favorite person.
How to have a passcode for the latest posting? Pretty please?! 😊
“ hahaha. Did the second half decline? Who’s suggesting that it did? A JP fangirl?
If so, she’s just being sour grapes. Her guy didn’t get the man so she’s GASLIGHTING (hahaha) people who cheered for the Dosan-Dalmi ending.”
Affirmative. Lots of JP fan girls moaning about how the second half “made no sense”, how “the writer totally ignored the business side of the story and replaced it with a senseless love triangle”, how “the writer really drew out the love triangle right to the very end for no reason” (err there was none to begin with? DM showed zero interest in JP? It really only existed in their minds and they were the ones clinging onto the 1% right to the bitter end), how “the writer wrote such a perfect character in JP that it was criminal that he didn’t get his happy ever after” (err…he did? His happy ever after was family – with Grandma – that was what he always wanted/needed. Too much Disney if fan girls think that the only happy ever after is the equivalent of getting the girl 🙄).
Last 2 episodes was satisfying for me as it focuses on the team dynamics and how much they’ve grown and learned from their experience. The opening scene in Episode 15 showing the team smoothly handling the reporter and the contrast of how Injae and Jipyeong mentored the team.
I loved that Injae displayed confidence and faith in Dalmi and her team while Jipyeong struggled to finally understand that they’ve finally outgrown him in terms of needing him to save the team.
I also want to share the scene about Dosan asking Dalmi what she liked him and her answer was basically she liked him for what he is.
This reminds me of a sweet and well-loved Malaysian movie “Sepet” (trans. Chinese eyes) about teenage interracial love between a Malay girl and a Chinese boy. Her friend asked her what she liked about him since they have nothing in common i.e. different social, racial and economic background and her answer was “You like what you like lah (the word “lah” being a slang to emphasize something, sort of the Korean “yo” or the Japanese “ne”). She continues the dialogue in the context of defying racial conventions, “who cares if that someone likes the other one because of their race? It’s when you hate them that’s the problem”.
I can understand Dalmi’s perspective. You don’t need a reason when you love the person for everything that he/she is. You appreciate their strengths and accept their flaws, everything that makes them whole. Dalmi’s simple response means the world to Dosan, who was haunted by his guilt and inferiority. His burden melted away by these simple words and I’m glad this was what the writer decided on.
NOTE :
There’s another dialogue in the movie “Sepet” that I thought was really romantic. I mean, the movie itself was full of simple but deep, romantic and meaningful dialogue/statements (“you’re God’s poetry to me”).
In a dialogue between the girl, Orked and the boy, Jason, he asked her “How long does it take for a person to fall in love?”, she guessed it as “one minute?” and then asked him “how long did it take for you to fall in love with me?” and he answered “much less than than”.
The movie was produced 15 years ago and I’m still in love with it 🙂
Janey,
I removed the password already.
I had to put a password while I transferred my draft and edited it.
Sorry, I typed too fast and there’s just a few mistakes I need to correct, I’m so sorry for the confusion :
1. Not episode 15, episode 16!
2. In the note about the movie “Sepet”, Jason’s answer to the question “how long did it take for you to fall in love with me?” was “much less than that”.
The movie is available for free on Youtube with English subtitles (as it is a mix of several languages, Malay, English and Chinese). I hope you’ll watch it 🙂
I edited my original answer to show “her guy didn’t get the WOman.” I don’t know what my spellcheck was doing.
Nrllee. I agree.
1. “made no sense” — it didn’t make sense to them because they insisted on all that NONSENSE about Dalmi ending with JP when
DM had zero love interest in JP but she felt guilty and sad discarding him when she hero-worshipped him and used him a golden yardstick with which to measure all other guys.
2. “writer totally ignored the business side of the story and replaced it with a senseless love triangle,”
One, JP fangirls were the one who insisted on the love triangle. We already knew that DM had zero love interest in JP.
Two, JP fangirls should have focused on his rehabilitation, not his “conquest” of the girl, because JP deserves rehabbing from his jealousy and pettiness.
Three, their own delusional fans hyped up that theory that this a business drama and it was supplanted by the love story/family story. To begin with, the business theme served as VEHICLE to drive the characters around.
So don’t go blaming the writer when the ldrama doesn’t end in the way they ought .
The line I get (and hate the most) when talking to Jipyeong fans and explaining some valid points — “are we watching the same drama” *facepalm*
PHR and the rest of the production crew did a good job. I feel sad for all the backlash they are getting esp NJH and Suzy.
The ending was great. Everything tied up in a pretty bow. No loose ends.
No one should complain unless they are a Morning Group and Apollo/Artemis fans! LOL!
The more i got roped wittingly or unwittingly into the psyche of jp’s fangirl the sadder i become for instance my friend showed me about this case of defending jp’s harsh criticism to people by saying what would you rather choose someone who sees your mistake and be silenced about it/talking behind your back or someone who points out the truth even if it’s harsh. I mean come on people it’s his job as a mentor, it’s emblazoned in big letters in his t-shirt.
@Diane *facepalm* same here lol
@Ella: I still see a lot of toxic comments in my timeline/feed. It bothers me a lot that not everyone is on the same page. They all feel Jipyeong was treated like a punching bag when in fact it was SST who got a beating with all the harsh words and berating that they got from him as a mentor. And Noongil… seems like everyone thinks Jipyeong saved them. Even if they met with Alex asking for a favor (which was not explained in the succeeding episodes what they talked about) I’m pretty sure it was Dosan asking if he can continue working on the app and probably find investors while he is in 2STO. While he did asked for help during their fight scene I don’t think he ended up doing anything for them. When Jipyeong spoke with grandma I would assume he will feel that he has repayed his debt assuming he is the “secret investor” of Noongil. Oh well! I just hate it when misleading info are circulated which further confuses the fans even those who are yet to watch the show.
@Diane
Me and my friend thought the same thing that is if people on camp jp because of the actor’s physical trait we have no issue with it, i mean each to their own. What we have issues with is how people praise and glorify jp’s behaviour, make excuses for him, and worse of all dragging DoSan down just because he’s on the other camp.
And now the fangirls are on a mission to give bad reviews everywhere to StartUp for not giving their oppa justice.
*many face palm*
Ella, just sent you an email. Thanks.
I found this place last week, and just wanted to thank you lot for keeping me sane while watching the last few episodes of Start-Up. Seeing so much hate and bias on other forums really took a mental toll on me. Whenever I go there I am just flabbergasted, confused, and finally angry.
I also saw comments saying JP (and Injae) became an emotional punching bag. I wonder why they only say that for JP. Who got dragged into this whole mess when he wasn’t even initially part of the letter-scheme and got hurt multiple times? Isn’t it Dosan (and Dalmi of course)? Also why do they say so much when they aren’t real characters. It’s not like we’re doing it to the characters on purpose???
I stayed off twitter when the last two episodes aired and I have to say these past days are the most peaceful I’ve had since the fanwars got real. Haha.
Also just want to share that I loved the Church scene so much that I kept replaying it. I’m kind of like Dalmi (*whispers* I’m not that faithful either) but it’s the environment I grew up in. It’s not a surprise that Dosan is an atheist but I appreciate that he was very respectful inside and even said that he also prayed. But when they got out and saw the rainbow, the science guy jumped out again. It was so cute to see him just do whatever Dalmi tells him to do, even this Church thing. And just the fact that in ep4, Dalmi prayed for a companion through her journey, and this guy, Dosan, was the peculiar response to her prayer, I just love it. He was THE HAND to hold through the journey. What a beautiful love story.
My original composition inspired by Start Up: Sailing Without A Map
Hi PM3, I’m glad I came across your blog. This is my first time posting. I’ve seen a lot of Dosan hate on twitter, reddit and everywhere, JP’s fangirls are calling Dosan “the most toxic Kdrama lead ever”, “manipulator”, “violent” and whatever else. I’ve never seen so much hatred towards a character before… It’s alarming tbh to see these fangirls so obsessed with HJP. And as usual, they’re blaming the writer, saying it’s the worst Kdrama ever. (Some to the extent of leaving bad reviews and ratings, so others wouldn’t watch it…childish much? sigh) The drama has ended but they’re still not letting go of HJP lmao. HJP is such an overhyped character imo, I don’t get the appeal tbh, to me he’s just like every other a**hole tsundere lead in kdramas. But everyone’s so into him. Hmm must be the dimples eh? Anyway, I read your dosan manipulative sadboi post and it made me feel so much better to know that Dosan isn’t like what these fangirls described him to be. I’ve read so many of their tweets that at one point it made me doubt and think, “is it sooo wrong for me to support Dosan?” “Why am I the only one here supporting Dosan?” “Where are all the Dosan supporters?” (Thankfully I found your blog) Lol. I really don’t get this “Dosan is toxic” narrative these JP fangirls are going with. Which part of Dosan is toxic? What did Dosan do that is so toxic? There’s really no point in arguing with and explaining to these people… it’s like they’re watching an entirely different drama. Their logic and arguments are… I don’t even know what to say. SU is a great drama, I enjoyed it and loved the ending. Learned quite a bit about the business world too! But wow… the experience of having to tolerate the toxicity of fangirls on twitter will remain with me… And thank you for your great analyses! I enjoyed reading them. It’s amazing how you spot all those little details and interpret the metaphors and meanings behind everything. Overall SU is a wonderfully written story for me. And I’ve such a soft spot for Dosan, his character is one of the best in Kdrama for me (but ofc HJP fangirls will disagree).
@ Ella: I was trying to get away from social media with team JP inside, however today I get this sad news…from you, the fact that there are some of the fangirls with a mission to give bad reviews everywhere. (I mean, why??) Earlier, in my city, I was told that there is a ‘writer’ who obviously JP fangirls, ranted in her soc-med account about how bad this drama is, while her works are not with flaws at all too.. (double facepalm)
If only the fangirls want to use their head and heart (?), It is because of this drama that written by this very writer, that their OPPA is now getting more famous. He got many job, after this drama aired.. when their oppa is thankful because of the drama, the writer, the creator team and the actors-actresses.. I don’t get it why the fangirls still hold a grudge (?). I don’t know guys, is it normal to behave like that?
I hope they will stop soon and ending their madness.
While I got many life lessons from this drama, reflect on myself, feel happy and satisfied. I know a lot of you too.. And even @snow flower composed a beautiful piano piece because of this drama.. (I like the tunes @snow flower!)
those JP fans are still on their grudge.. with full of hate and misery..
Really, I think.. it’s their loss, not us..
Thanks, @Snow_Flower. I’m reposting on the blog so it won’t disappear.
Thank you, @packmule3!
@moonriver272
I haven’t really watched any BTS for this drama but that sounds interesting, I’ll check it out thanks!
Dear @packmule3,
This is my second time posting but I wasn’t able to say hi the first time 🙂
I used to be one of your reader-lurkers, starting with The King: Eternal Monarch. Thank you for creating this blog. The analyses from you and this blog’s community is always a joy to read – insights and new perspectives abound! Thank you for your interpretation of Do San’s Long Road. That part of the episode kind of went over my head, LOL.
To everyone else:
Cheers to a wonderful end to the very heart-warming drama Start-Up. I really enjoyed In-Jae’s scenes in the last episode and how different she looked when she smiled. I was so proud of her watching her younger sister with pride and trust as she and ex-SST team brilliantly handled the start-up sniper reporter. I was kinda embarrassed for JP in this scene actually. The scene really made In-Jae look out of his league, lol.
Another contrast I thought between Do San and Ji-pyeong is how they use their intelligence in relation to others. With Do San, he felt awful about hurting other kids (even inadvertently) with his intelligence, like when an older kid is unfavorably compared to him. While Ji-Pyeong uses his intelligence without a care to whether he is hurting other people with it, like when he tells the “hard truth” (a most misleading euphemism, if I ever saw one).
When interpreted in the best possible light, you could say JP’s “prickliness” is all part of his defense mechanism for surviving alone in a harsh world. He has to assert his superiority and this is how he does it. It’s still not attractive though, whatever the sob story behind it. Because, as I like to say, Halmeoni already showed him unconditional love in Episode 1. But he was only able to really learn the lessons from it 15 years later.
It’s definitely the dimples 3santech. LOL.
😂 @Kathy T,
I agree. It’s the dimples.
Yes, I like InJae too during that scene with the reporter. I like that she’s tough as steel. And did you notice? She was the one who followed it up with the reporter telling (warning? threatening?) him that if he doesn’t report on this, he’d be accused of collusion.
And what did JP do? Nothing. He knew that the reporter dissed on start-ups, why didn’t he bring it up as the reporter walked by. Like, “Hey. Don’t let this be a repeat of the hack job you did on Start-Up ABC, buddy.”
He ran all the way there and just stood there. He had Dosan’s number too.
He could have called him up.
And you’re right about the Dosan and JP using their intelligence differently. But the thing is, if Dosan is supposed to be — what did JP say he was? dull-witted? — then what does that make of JP? He KNEW that he was hurting people but he just didn’t care. He can’t claim that he lacked self-awareness because he’s proud of being perceptive.
As for his being an orphan, all the other leads had imperfect childhoods, what makes his past history so special that he can’t be called out for his bad actions as a grown-up?
Really makes me wonder what these fangirls were fed in their infancy that they can’t see something so obvious. The writer never deviated from her script AND director never showed Dosan losing out to JP so I don’t get where all this hysteria from fangirls are coming from. If anything, they should blame their own abysmal visual literacy.😂
I like the writer because she stuck to her guns.
And frankly, JP fangirls should quit attacking the writer. They’re a big turn off. Other writers and directors would think twice casting this actor since they know his fans can get troublesome if they don’t get their way. Why bother with him when he isn’t all that good acting anyway?
The actor playing Dosan (what’s his name Nam Joo San?) even beat the actor playing JP in all their one-on-one acting.
😂
Please don’t make me show proofs because I still have to finish my review of Ep 16.
Just take down names of the most rabid fangirls and avoid them in the future. Anyway, you really CANNOT win an argument with an idiot, like you can’t win an argument with a chimpanzee. Because at the end of the day, you’re STILL arguing with a dolt and with a chimp. So just stay away.
@packmule totally agree whatever u said. It is also on my head 💕
The issue now getting bigger 🤭
Koreaboo and allkpop alr writing an article about ksho kfans at his fancafe, they write toxic comment about dosan and dalmi, and ofcourse making rumors about start up ending. That suzy and nam joo hyuk agency (soop ent) pay for them to be end game.
now i also read on wikitree korean portal news.
Honestly njh and suzy pair was in demand back in 2018 director and writer, come and hug me drama actually casting them first, but they decline the offers.
If im not wrong, suzy was also decline cheese in the trap drama, where njh was cast as supporting role in that drama.
For my entire life watching kdrama, this is first time i saw so many toxic fans on male actor.
Even the biggest war shipper on r88 series stay on forum and twitter.
But start up reaching media to writer about it.
This fans dont know how thankful they are, for writer phr cast him as main lead in start up. Without this role, he wont never ever make it.
Now they started to mass making bad review about start up.
Ungrateful kids
Thanks for the update, Lovebangwon. 🙂 It’s like watching a major meltdown, isn’t it?
I told our readers to leave the JP’s fangirls alone. They don’t need our help with their self-destruction. They’ll implode on their own. But they are everywhere: soompi, reddit, mydramalist, twitter, Facebook, instagram…even on this blog. (You just don’t see them because their posts were blocked by filter words I placed just in case….)
I remember one of the arguments that they gave me was that they were the majority. There were more JP fans than Dosan fans so the endgame was going to JP. I’m not kidding you. Like what kind of argument is that??!! This ain’t no popularity contest. I laughed when I read that. Whatever…
“ I remember one of the arguments that they gave me was that they were the majority. There were more JP fans than Dosan fans so the endgame was going to JP. ”
@packmule3 that’s the exact same argument that WGrs have. Safety in numbers. Theirs is the biggest fandom. The Titanic that will mow down our canoe for sure. 🙄. That LeeShin can’t possibly ignore their clout or they would risk the repercussions of a meltdown like we’re seeing now in Start Up.
I know, right? The classic “argumentum ad populum.” There’s many of us, so we’re right. Didn’t they know that the established writers and directors wouldn’t mind defying the conventions and the general population?
Oh well. Life goes on.
Talking about WG’ers @nrllee
Omg, I really really wish that they don’t end up get mad if the ending of HP will not like they wanted. I’m so heartbroken whenever I saw comments that attacking writer, director, production team, actors and actresses of Start Up. I can’t imagine if they did it again on HP later. 🥺
and @packmule3 thank you for providing the safe place to discuss start up without any jp fans unbelievable comments. Like you said that they think they’re the majority, but that doesn’t mean they have this permit to be toxic everywhere.😅
I really wish they will grow up and make peace with the ending of Start Up or any other dramas in the future.
@moonstar512 The advantage that LeeShin have (compared with Park HyeRyun – the writer of Start up) is that they’ve done it before. Multiple times. And it hasn’t fazed them. I think they almost expect it now. They did it with JungHwan (Reply1988) and they did it again with Chilbongie (Reply1997). Lee has always said that he settles the end first and then they write towards that ending. The ending never changes come what may. So no amount of “popular opinion” will move them. Have you noticed why they always put characters who fan girl in every one of their dramas? It’s like their little inside joke and poke at fan girls. This was PHR’s first (? I think 🤔 ) experience where the fan girls were really rabid/toxic. Don’t know. Wasn’t around when Dream High aired. I get the feeling even KSH is somewhat embarrassed by all the hullabaloo. I believe he actually said in one interview recently that “DoSan and Dalmi were meant to be”. So he acknowledged that it was in the script. But in the eyes of the fan girl? That was his martyrdom speech (Look how gracious he is! Swoon…he’s just too perfect 🥰). It only served to deify him even more so in their eyes. 🙄. I think a lot of them want some sort of spin off for HJP where he gets the girl. As if that is all that really matters you know? If you get the girl, well… you’re set for life and you get your happy ever after. And fan girls can then just play that fairytale ending ad nauseum to their heart’s content.
@nrllee
That’s the problem isn’t it, I think the reason they’re so adamant on why jp has to get the girl is this is a win/lose game. The winner is who gets the girl? They can’t believe their so-called perfect saint jp lost to DoSan who they labelled a loser.
Just like the character they worshipped when he didn’t get the girl he felt like a loser.
@packmule
they can appear everywhere leaving toxic review or cursing but not here 🤣😂
If this is forum s***** they will gain more confidence bcs moderators is super bias.
Loved when it comes back in full circle.
From them joking around if they win the bid, they would do specific things (esp shocked and cried when Dosan said he will propose). This scene was somehow similar in Ep 8 back up when they all also bet on their DAU. Hahaha character consistencies as well as the writing.
Also loved the probability scene with the tags when Dalmi asked for Dosan’s tag. She asked what the probability of finding his tag among the other tags. He replied 0.0002 percent. It was like similar in ep 12 when they broke up. When Dalmi told Dosan that Alex discovering a genius like him is like winning a lottery (one in a million) but Dosan countered by saying that chance of two people meeting is also equally amazing. He really does love Dalmi!
I think people are just also making a big deal about how Dosan’s dream is a person. People say why is Dalmi his dream. But, I could also interpret that the dream he had was a dream of himself as a person. He dreamt of the real him in front of Dalmi. That is why he added the line “as the real me.” Before he couldn’t, because he was not a hotshot, had no money, no connections and all. But this time, he turned things around.
Honestly, I miss the Dosan from before the break up. Cause he had this different aura during ep 13-16. But, only in some aspects. Despite the aura, I could still see his quirky side, etc.
And definitely, he makes things happen. He turns them into reality that has been what he has been doing in his life and in Dalmi’s as well as the people around him.
I’m still speechless when I read negative comments about having a person as a dream.
First, because from my point of view these people contradict themselves. If it is wrong to have a person as a dream then it is wrong to associate one’s happiness with a person. In fact I think it is worse.
It is now taken for granted (or so I thought) that to have a healthy relationship you have to know how to be happy with yourself and appreciate yourself as much as possible despite your flaws etc. Let me say you have to fix all the flaws that JP has XD.
It is no coincidence that JP’s growth path is not tied to DM. Making your happiness dependent on someone else does not have great prospects for a healthy and lasting relationship.
Finally, I think the literally interpretation of “dream = person” is due to the strong bias of fungirls.
A very large part of the creative production in the history of humanity is based on obtaining true love / finding a soulmate etc .. It doesn’t seem like a new thing to me. The point is that once you have found your soulmate then a shared life with them will be the best it can be. I can understand if anyone thinks otherwise, but here’s the perspective.
So I wonder what’s wrong with dreaming for myself the best life possible?
I mean I don’t think that once you find your soulmate then you will spend all life on the sofa 🙂
I really love @Gen and @Illyusyn’s perspective on Dosan’s dreams
Some people dreams about helping others, making their parents proud, etc. That is also based on other people… so is finding true love.
All this time Dosan was pretending to be the trophy of his dad and Nam Dosan from the letters with the persona that Jipyeong made. I feel bad remembering those times because even though he deserves Dalmi’s love and affection… he doesn’t think Dalmi really likes him for him. So his dream is to have Dalmi sees him for who truly is and be proud of him anyway.
I also think part of that includes supporting Dalmi to achieve her dream by being him. That’s why the confession at sandbox is actually so meaningful and raw. Instead of listing reasons, Dalmi just told him that it’s because he’s him :”)
Jipyeong fangirls will say it is weird to make someone your dream yet be content with seeing him willing to trade all his possessions for Dalmi (as if she’s an object) 😅😅
I do feel bad for the writer tho. I want to see other dramas she worked on (i’ve watched only WYWS, I can hear your voice and pinocchio) and everyone was hating on her. I think NJH and Suzy were dragged in social medias too. I am certain KSH felt bad about it and that’s one of the reason why he said nice things about Dodal in the interview like @nrllee said… to neutralize the fangirls
Talking about dreams, I was watching Episode 1 at the part where Dalmi’s dad passed away in the bus on the way home, at the scene the OST One Day by Kim Feel played. I felt like the song meshed with Dalmi’s loss of her dad and her memories of the letter writing boy who liked her.
The lyrics of the song goes
“I can’t let go of the dreams that always remained in my heart. Let’s start slowly, just like then..that dream.”
Dosan is Dalmi’s dream as much as Dalmi is Dosan’s dream. Even though Dosan wasn’t the one who wrote the letters, the first time she set eyes on him, he is THE ONE, her dream come true. Of course all else that he does just confirms what she imagined him to be
“smart, kind, well-off (well not yet when they first met), handsome, gentle, competent, promising.” These were the words used to describe Dosan by grandma and Dalmi in the first episode.
@packmule3
AMEN to JP’s scale-up!
I thought too that “paying-it-forward” was the trajectory that his life should have taken after meeting Grandma Choi / Halmeoni. That was an amazing encounter between them, right? If he couldn’t find her because she had closed her shop and wasn’t on social media, then he should have been paying forward all along.
But I guess the world would have to wait 18 years later for him to understand that love wasn’t something you can pay back like a debt. It’s not something you can claim either. It has to be given.
Maybe at the root of his issues is a fear of abandonment / rejection? That’s what he envied about Do-san the kid (having a family) and since he didn’t have it he fortifies himself against that lack by refusing to need or be beholden to anyone. He was comfortable this way and Yeong-sil did call his life ‘peaceful’ before the gentle breeze came that will take him to a person he met briefly once before. The ‘peacefulness’ could also be just a pretty way of saying ’empty’.
Still! No excuse for him being a jerk to the SST guys. and Young-san’s brother. And sometimes, Park Dong-Cheon.
I’m glad that Director Yoon was forceful with JP when it came time to eat his humble pie, hahaha.
Do-san’s magnanimity in that scene was really just awesome to witness. He always did respect JP. Even in the 2STO acqhiring incident, when Sa-ha told him JP thought there was something wrong with the contract Do-san got alarmed. Whatever issues he had with Plan B, I think Do-san would have listened to JP. He acknowledged him as the expert in these things.
Do-san has always deserved better from JP. When he finally comes into his own and can no longer be belittled by JP, it’s… just… so… satisfying to watch, LOL. But being the LB, of course Do-san rises above such petty things as payback.
The other awesome thing to note in the scene was how hawt Do-san looked when he hop-stepped onto the bleachers with his hands in his pockets. I don’t know, it just looked really cool and attractive.
🙂Are you posting your reply here. Kathy_T, bec the other thread has no comment feature?
Let me fix it. I turned off the comment feature so I could write without getting distracted by incoming comments. I forgot to turn it back on again when I uploaded the last segment. Sorry. 😂
@packmule3 yes, that’s why i posted here :)))