The Netflix K-drama ‘Start-Up' is a fascinating look at romance, success, and pursuing your dreams. The Korean drama follows the lives of a group of people attempting to make it big in the world of start-ups in Seoul, and features a talented ensemble cast. The highly awaited K-drama Start-Up, which premiered on Netflix in October, is off to a great start after six episodes.
The show follows the lives of a group of people attempting to make it big in the world of start-ups in Seoul, and it features a talented ensemble cast. Although the idea of Start-Up could suggest a deep dive into the cutthroat world of innovators and budding businesses, the first episode's refreshing and heart-warming tone was a welcome surprise.
The main characters are introduced to us through a heartwarming backstory that ties them together. Seo Dal-mi and Seo In-Jae, two young sisters, have seen their father struggle with his entrepreneurial goals as they have grown up. Though they are soon separated, they reunite years later to discover that they are on opposite ends of the continuum.
The older Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) has stars in her eyes and dreams of starting her own business while working a variety of part-time jobs. Her sister In-Jae (Kang Han-Na), who has a successful career, has had it easier. Nam Do-San (Nam Joo-Hyuk), who Dal-Mi claims was her childhood pen-pal and whose letters gave her great comfort, is a blast from the past. Han Ji-Pyeong (Kim Seon-Ho), a hotshot venture capitalist who owes her grandmother money, is the actual author of the letters to Dal-Mi when he was younger.
In the Silicon Valley-style ‘Sandbox,' a fictional start-up incubator, the four main characters' worlds clash. There are many references and business terms used, but the writing has been smart and well-researched so far.
While the intriguing plot is undoubtedly a bonus, a show like this needs characters that audiences want to root for in order to maintain interest.
Start-Up accomplishes all of this and more. With earnestness and warmth, Nam Joo-Hyuk portrays the calm, dorky Do-San. He's at his most engaging when he's with his Samsan Tech partners (Yoo Su-Bin and Kim Do-Wan), and the trio brings a lot of fun to the table. Though Bae Suzy brings the vivacious and ambitious Dal-mi to life on screen, let's hope Kang Han-Na isn't reduced to a scheming caricature; there's a lot in the writing that seems to veer dangerously close to that territory, and it would be a huge letdown given how they initially presented her intelligence.
With ten more episodes to go, the lead characters' foundations have been laid, all while delving into their familial bonds, friendships, and romance. Every achievement that the ragtag bunch at Samsan Tech has ahead of them will have audiences cheering for them in Start-Up.
Start-Up is now available to watch on Netflix.
