Start-Up -

Start-Up

Premise:
“Start-Up” is a South Korean drama focusing on the cutthroat world of tech entrepreneurship. Set in the fictional Silicon Valley of South Korea, Sandbox, the series follows Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy), an ambitious young woman who dreams of becoming Korea’s Steve Jobs. She crosses paths with Nam Do-san (Nam Joo-hyuk), the down-on-his-luck founder of a failing start-up, and Han Ji-pyeong (Kim Seon-ho), a successful but emotionally scarred investor. These characters, along with Dal-mi’s estranged sister Won In-jae (Kang Han-na), navigate the highs and lows of start-up culture, familial bonds, and romance.

Main Characters:

Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi: An aspiring entrepreneur with a point to prove.
Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san: Founder of a struggling tech start-up.
Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong: A successful investor with a troubled past.
Kang Han-na as Won In-jae: Dal-mi’s successful but estranged sister.

Themes:
The series explores the allure and challenges of the start-up world, touching on themes of ambition, innovation, and resilience. It also delves into issues of identity, family dynamics, and the different shapes success can take.

Critical Consensus & Rating:
4/5. Critics have praised the show for its engaging characters and its nuanced depiction of the entrepreneurial journey. However, the show has also been criticized for occasional lapses into melodrama and for certain romantic subplots that some viewers find distracting.

TV Parental Guidelines Rating:
The show carries a TV-14 rating, mainly for its thematic material and occasional strong language.

Broadcast Details:
“Start-Up” aired on the South Korean network tvN from October to December 2020.

TV Series Recommendations: