Hidden Gem of Romcom

The reason I start this drama because I like Nana acting from The Swindlers, I think she's one promising idol turned actress. And for Park Sung Hoon I know him from Psychopath Diary, Falsify and Gonjiam Haunted Asylum. Both of them haven't act as main role before and the theme of this drama is politics which normally not my cup of tea, so I start this drama with Zero expectations.

Honestly the first 2 episode is kinda boring, but I keep going for the sake of Nana acting (she's really all out as Se Ra) Thank God I didn't stop as the story gets better and continue captivating with fast paced, no dragging problem. I'm really glad I find this hidden gem drama, it's so long since I find drama which I am looking forward to watch each week.

Chemistry both ML are overflowing, they act like lovey dovey couple, and they kissed like real life couple (which i find rare nowadays, most of actress just stand still and stiff when being kissed).
And I like how they show affection not only in Drama but through interaction in personal Instagram! Where else we get to see skinship from actors in their personal instagram without being shy or afraid of negative comments lol.

Actually I feel the ending kinda bit rushed, but I still give it overall full marks consider I really enjoyed all Sera and Gong Myung relationship.

I definitely treasure this drama and will rewatch it in the future for all the sweet moments of Sera and Gong myung ❤️

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Promising story turned into a bummer

Judging from the title, I expect this drama will be like Rich Man Poor Woman J-Drama, which depicts the story of actual Start-Up life and the conflict people within it. Which turns out.. Wrong.. Pilot episode is different from what I expect..

Rather than focusing to the foundation of business motivation in the Pilot Episode, the story focus to build up second male lead and female lead connection, through letter. Moving on episode 2, it's become more clear that this story will focus more on romance rather than actual start up life.
Otherwise, I will write the review from my experience watching it:

- FIRST HALF (ep 1-8)
Although the story consist of 80% drama/romance, 20% actual startup insight, this is quite enjoyable story up to episode 8. As viewers, you will be divided into rooting for Male Lead (DS) or Second Lead (JP), which makes this drama so hype and popular at the time it's been airing. There's nothing wrong rooting for Male Lead or Second Lead, because triangle love has been main focus of this drama, and it's up to your preferences, which character you find more relatable.
Note:
I personally rooting for JP from the start, because I just can't stand the relationship start based on lies, whatever the reason behind.

- SECOND HALF (ep 9-14)
By the time the truth has been reveal to Female Lead (JP who actually wrote the letter, DS only pretend while he never knew Female Lead before),
This is the momentum to turned the table, make viewers rooting for Male Lead who will end up with Female Lead.
But the writing and the story have been failed miserably catching this opportunity.
Rather than make the DS more favorable Male Lead, instead they giving so many red flags to his action:
- Backstory about cheating during math olympiad
- Following and stalk Female Lead while she said she need space and time to think
- Saying the Female Lead is his dream, where there's no specific reason/trigger he fall in love with FL (rather than it's because FL is the first girl interest in him, and she's pretty - shallow, eh)
- Punching his mentor because the mentor stating the facts (as some people point out, DS might have anger management issue)

And for Second Male Lead, I think the writers are not intend to make the Second Male Lead more likeable at first, but the actor (Kim Seon Ho) who played JP doing outstanding job portraying the character. We see his character has been consistent in each episode and giving more impact whatever the story he's in.
Some action who let him win the viewers:
- How selfless he's being, when he intend to get the last letter and giving it to DS so the lie will prevail
- How he explain the lie to Female Lead, with not bringing down Male Lead, and rather he justify DS action (only fair play)
- How he confess in calmly yet professional manner
- The viewers know his backstory from episode 1, his relationship with the Grandma, and how lonely his life so far, which makes so many viewers rooting for his happiness (with or without the Female Lead)

From what I see, majority of the viewers are rooting for Second Lead from the progression and how the story been carried up to 14 episode. And up to episode 14, Female Lead not yet decide with whom she will end up with, which causing debate here and there (again make this drama more hype, which team are you?)

- THE ENDING (ep 15 -16)
This is the challenging part for the writers, how they gonna wrap up this mess because of the ongoing debate, and make it plausible ending?
To make DS end up with FL, they must giving the viewers clear reason in FL POV, but it's hard giving the condition, up to ep 14, almost none character growth for DS.
Or to make JP end up with FL, like majority the viewers want, and make this drama exceptional.

Again they failed miserably in handling the ending, which turned into.. A bummer..
The ending is one of the most absurd ending i've watched
- No clear reason why FL choose DS (rather than that cliche and lame reason)
- No resolution and character growth for DS, yet he get the girl because he is the Main Lead
- Almost no closure from JP and Female Lead relationship, JP even have to justify why Female Lead choose DS in their last scene, which most viewers don't buy it..

To close this review, if you are curious the hype of this drama, the story is nothing much except triangle love which dragging until the very last minute.
There is almost none morale of the story from this drama.

But I'm still glad i found this drama, cause from this drama I knew the amazing actor Kim Seon Ho exist.
I've watched his drama from Chief Kim, but he's not noticeable in there.
Here in Start-Up, his outshine other character, and It's safe to say Han Ji Pyeong will be the most memorable character in K-Drama history.

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Hearwarming Family Drama

I already heard good review about this drama when airing, but just decide to give it a try now (one year later) due to Kim Ji Seok.. I become Kim Ji Seok fan because monthly magazine home. This drama doesn't disappoint at all.. I'm glad I try it now because I will be very curious if follow it when its airing..

I find myself crying almost every episode, cause i think it's really relatable with our reality.. It's really easy to missed understand your family, and if that's missed understanding doesn't resolve quickly, it will become poison to your relationship.. I think this drama has very good message to resolve the missed understanding you had with your family or your loved ones, watching it will make you review again your family relationship..

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What a waste potential

Great casting and promising storyline which we will never know how the ending is. After the controversy, it's so sad that the production team didn't get the chance to correct what went wrong. Instead, the sponsorships just pull out from contract and the location where they filmed it banned them to shooting. I believe they try to correct the mistake, but they got death sentences with the worsen situation. I'm really looking forward to this drama from last year, because of Park Sung Hoon, so i'm so sad it turns out like this. Just hope that the backlash can be stop now. No need to drag down the actors, they just doing their job following the script. So knetz, are you happy now? Finally happy now, are you?

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Heartwarming and Fun Story

Actually i'm planning to skip this drama because reading from synopsis, I thought it's gonna be simple predictable story. But after watch a clip spoiler from instagram, when Lee Do Hyun scold the girls taking taxy to school, it so funny and I start watching it..

The first half of story actually really good and heartwarming, but the later half they kinda run out ideas, so many filler story and unnecessary scene..
But it's still fun drama to watch, superb acting from lee do hyun, funny friend go deok jin and chu ae rin, love triangle jiho-shi a-ja sung, and i like deok jin love line with the teacher@..

I recommend it if you are looking for light and fun drama.

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