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The songs featured during the recap: One Day by Kim Feel and Dream a Dream by Park Sejun. Kim Feel’s music is soulful and widely featured in K Drama OSTs.
Joanna’s trip to Europe, highlights from Nice and Monaco, and her growing confidence speaking French thanks to Duolingo Max.
The hilarious and emotional interactions between Nam Do-san and Han Ji Pyeong, including reciting the South Korean national anthem to cover a fake business discussion.
The poetic metaphor of the music box, representing Nam Do-san as someone full of potential and how Seo Dal-mi’s belief in him gives him the courage to grow.
The layered sibling rivalry and estrangement between Seo Dal-mi and Won In Jae, and the complex emotions tied to their mother.
An in-depth explanation of startup funding terms like angel investor, pre-series A, series A, mezzanine financing, and term sheets.
The theme of equity and control in business, illustrated by how Won In Jae is ousted as CEO due to lack of shares, despite holding the title.
The metaphorical and literal meaning of taking the elevator to the top—used by Seo Dal-mi as a symbol of her ambition.
Seo Dal-mi’s bold bet that she’ll be more successful than her sister in three years, likening herself to a future Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg.
Samsan Tech’s win at the CODA competition, their failed video presentation, and the intrigue by the Korean American judge.
Sandbox as a metaphorical and literal safe space for entrepreneurs, inspired by the “sandbox” described by Dal-mi’s father.
The motivations behind each character’s application to Sandbox: Seo Dal-mi wants to take the upper floor elevator, Nam Do-san wants to turn a misunderstanding into reality, and Won In Jae wants to shed her image as “chewed-up gum.”
A profile of actor Kim Seon Ho, including his traumatic childhood experience, strong theater background, rise through Strongest Deliveryman, and breakout role in Start-Up.
References
I’m home from South Korea nursing a sprained ankle I got on the trip, so nothing to do but watch Kdramas and be first commenter this week!
ReplyDeleteI love the funny scenes with Nam Do-san and Han Ji Pyeong. After Ji Pyeong tells Do-san to only text what he says to Dal-mi, he says Write this down. So Do-san types Write this down. Loved it!
I also loved the scene where Do-san comes up with a complicated, convoluted math explanation about why Ji Pyeong would make a good partner. His guys say his equation is ridiculous and just means that they all want the same thing. And that that’s why people trash engineering majors, so true!
The dynamics between the two sisters are more clear now, and all the stakes have been raised for both, so we’re off and running on that now. It’s now apparent that the stepfather and his son are snakes, and that In Jae never had any real power. Walking away and starting over, including the new haircut, was the best thing to do, despite her mother’s warnings. I like her better than I did.
I just finished Love Take Two over on Viki, and really enjoyed it. It’s sweet and funny Kdrama comfort food. Some might find it too low-key, but it was just right for me right now. So now that I’m home it’s back to Would You Marry Me and Signal. Dynamite Kiss is tempting though, and also Because This Is My First Life.
P.S. Thanks Joanna and Sung hee for a great pod episode and picking a terrific show for this season.
DeleteSorry about your sprained ankle, Ellen! I had forgotten about the "Write This Down" bit. Hilarious! I keep thinking those two must have had fun filming so many funny scenes together, with that actor playing such a clueless boob!
DeleteAnother great podcast episode with one MAJOR disagreement -- Nam Do-san absolutely thinks a music box is a music box! You both agreed that this dude doesn't know a metaphor from a metaverse. Outside of programming and math, he is basically just a tall, handsome imbecile.
ReplyDeleteOf course, part of the fun is watching Do-san progress, and while the kid has no people skills and zero "game" he has a few other good qualities (sweet-natured, humble, and oh yes the tall and handsome part gets him half-way over the finish line before he's even begun!) in his favor.
I also agree with Joanna that Han Ji Pyeong is sweet on Seo Dal-mi. Not because he finally sees her and realizes she's gorgeous -- it's those letters. She got into his soul. She shared so much of her interior life with him -- her dreams, her thoughts, her fears, her yearning, her creative, poetic mind -- he's never gotten over it. That's why he's still single!
As an orphan, we can imagine Han Ji Pyeong had an extremely difficult and traumatic childhood. He has great difficulty expressing his feelings -- to the grandmother, to his employees, to anyone.
The letters represent the one time in his life he was able to share his emotional interior world in any way (even if he was writing from the perspective of an imaginary boy). He was given the extraordinary honor of being on the receiving end of a smart and creative girl pouring her heart out to him, and it seems that he more than held his own in that communication.
So he might answer "no," but the grandmother sees through him. Just as she has ALWAYS seen through his insecurities and false fronts, from that very first day.
Correct above to say "I also agree with Sung Hee that Han Ji Pyeong is sweet on Seo Dal-mi..."
DeleteI'd have to go back and rewatch, but I'm inclined to agree with Jeff that Nam Do-san absolutely thinks a music box is a music box! Kid didn't wise up so quickly!
DeleteI loved the final shot of exhausted Seo Dal-mi asleep in her chair, oblivious to the romantic stirrings she's causing.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Ellen sharing some highlights from her trip!
Doremi and everybody, Seoul was wonderful, and I can’t wait to go back. I worried a bit that Kdramas would set me up for disappointment with the real thing. But the opposite proved true. It’s beautiful, old and new, and exciting and fun. But the best thing about it is the Korean people.
ReplyDeleteThey were universally kind, smart, and cheerful, and of course with great skin!
Welcome back :)
Delete*Yes, I really don't like love triangles, but as Sung-Hee said, we all have to put up with something.
ReplyDeleteHowever, every now and then, there is a good one. To me, the key to that is genuine uncertainty.
I haven't watched the series (Sorry to keep saying that, but I REALLY don't want to be spoiled as I am trying to be discplined and not binge it), and I must confess the outcome is not 100% clear like in almost all dramas. There is a reasonable degree of doubt. I have an inkling which one she will choose, but there is even the chance she might not end up with either (please don't say anything, I am just thinking loudly).
All that to say, for once, I am not hating it. I am neutral for now.
* I found the episode really entertaining and was smiling a lot, but I can't say it was funny or made me laugh apart from one instance.
When Dal-mi asked him what he wants in return, Do-san wanted to write 15GB Flash Drive lol.
*Ji Pyeong feelings towards Dal-mi are interesting topic and I don't have firm conviction. I am inclined to agree with Jeff in Tampa though. I think he loves the person who exchanged those letters with. In many ways, he is not that different from Dal-mi.
*Dal-mi. I am sorry to say that the character and the actress are my least favourite. Bae Suzy is very beautiful, but 3 episodes in, and I find her mediocre actress, which is pity since she is the focal point of the series.
*Dal-mi scene with her mother. I think the mother was both warning, and encouraging her. I think the mother knew that she hasn't got any plan, so she was telling her something like "Don't make grand empty gestures because that makes you fool, instead set yourself a goal and you will figure it out like your father. And, I will be rooting for you"
*100% agreement with Sung-Hee about Korean-American (or any other ethnicity in other countries). In many ways, that is why I don't consider Pachinko, or Past Lives as Korean works. Lived experiences are completely different from having heritage. And Yes, when you go back they know it just by looking at you.
*I take what I said about the father in E01.
*Some nitpicks:
--How can the older daughter didn't recognise her step-father plan? This is like 101 tactic. If she is really such big shot as was presented to us, it doesn't make sense that she didn't pick on that.
-Do san wouldn't have been able to pretend that long in real life. Dal-mi would have figured it pretty quickly. You can't write such beautiful letters, and not be good at language.
-Only in Kdramas people drive super expensive cars, but have ramen on a bench lol.
*Step father.
DeleteSeven Seas, I think its hilarious that you watch so many K Dramas but you don't like love triangles. Why are you putting yourself through this torture?! And I totally agree that a good love triangle has to have uncertainty. 99% of the time you know exactly how things are going to end up.
DeleteMalcolm,
DeleteLuckily, Kdramas are rarely about only one thing.
It heavily depends on context and the specifics are very important.
This is my second time watching Start Up (watched a few years ago) but I didn't finish the first time (and I don't remember things well). Thanks to Netflix I know I stopped during episode 12 and skipped to 16 so guess I'll see what happened that made me give up. But the general reason is like Seven Seas I'm not big on triangles. Sometimes they're barely triangles to begin with and you have the unrequited person head off to the US at the end - then why bother having a triangle to begin with? In other Kdramas sometimes you sit there thinking the FL should just dump both of them. Like Revolutionary Love (especially egregious since Kang So-Ra is amazing) or Nevertheless. That being said I think Start Up is great so far (and I think I thought that the first time too up to this point). I was literally laughing out loud during multiple scenes like Sung-Hee and Joanna. I still think Han Ji-Pyeong and Choi Won-Deok are stealing the show. Han Ji-Pyeong is a lot more compelling than either Seo Dal-Mi or Nam Do-San so far at least.
ReplyDeleteOn motivations - Nam Do-San being motivated because he wants to impress Seo Dal-Mi makes total sense. Nam Joo-Hyuk is doing a great job portraying Nam Do-San as an awkward geek. Never talked to a girl and runs into Bae Suzy. As said in the podcast, I don't think Han Ji-Pyeong is fully aware of his motivations yet. He has a lot of drive and part of it may be he doesn't want his "project" (repaying the debt) to fail - that's what he tells himself. The letters were to make Dal-Mi feel better and this is a continuation.
Cast is good. Kim Hae-Sook and Kim Seon-Ho are great. I think Suzy is so overrated that she's possibly underrated now if that makes sense. With the right role and director can be good - she was well reviewed in "Anna." Anyway better than Jisoo! I don't remember how things turn out for Kang Han-Na. She can get typecast as the nasty rich one (Familiar Wife, although with some redemption) or worse (BAYM). I think she's a good actress though.
My favorite quote: "Sang-Su seems naive but he's a weasel. You look smart but you're clueless." Ouch!
Otherwise watching "Would You Marry Me" - enjoyable because the chemistry is great between the leads. Jung So-Min is worth the price of admission. Stopping Disney+ so have to hurry!
Jisoo out here catching strays from SDguy! But yes, Suzy is better than Jisoo. I think she does well in the right kind of roles, but this might not be the best fit for her. I think we can all think of a dozen actresses who would be better in this role. Speaking of Jisoo, I'm curious to see how Blackpink's Lisa does in her new Netflix show....
ReplyDeleteHa ha you're right - not fair to Jisoo who isn't even in this show! I didn't know Lisa had a show coming up and will look for it - she's super charismatic.
DeleteI don't mind a love triangle. Even if it is obvious who will end up together, I'm always interested in how they resolve the tension and what the 'unsuccessful' person ends up doing/saying/being.
ReplyDeleteThe 'obvious' One True Pairing in K Dramas usually has some connection which screams 'destiny', but in Start Up, both MLs have a past connection, one through letters he wrote, and the other through the seemingly random use of his name/identity. And they are both decent people, albeit v different from one another.
It's a great set up - bring on the tangle of the love triangle.
SDguy, so agree with your comment, “ I still think Han Ji-Pyeong and Choi Won-Deok are stealing the show.” It’s well-written to begin with, but these two actors just bring the extra depth to their characters. I just feel more emotional whenever they’re both on the screen, and I expect they did themselves while playing these parts.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this episode, I’ve come to the conclusion that stocks and company shares are a K Drama element. At least when a cheabol is involved. I’m glad I took that class on Corporations in law school so I can follow along!
ReplyDeleteObviously, both these guys like Dal-mi, but only one of them realizes it right now! Why is Ji Pyeong so surprised that Do-san likes Dal-mi? He just introduced him the Bae Suzy! What I really enjoyed about this K Drama is that the end game for this love triangle is not obvious. I think Ji Pyeong has a double motive in getting Sam San Tech into Sandbox. He knows their technology is actually good, even if they have no business plan, AND he is also interested in Dal-mi.
You guys were really cracking yourselves up in this episode. I loved it. Speaking of laughing when you are crying, or laughing right after crying, the show alludes to a common Korean saying about this. 1,000 bonus points if you know what that is…..
I thought that when Dal-mi’s mother compared her to her father, she was putting her down. Even when she said when was rooting for her. My parents are divorced and if my mother wants to be critical of me, she will say “You’re acting just like your father!” So maybe that just a me thing….
While the elevator thing makes for a good metaphor, I think its quite common in high rises to segregate the elevators by floor. That way the people on the top floor don’t have to stop at every floor.
The reason the Korean American characters in K Drams seem very Korean is BECAUSE THEY ARE KOREAN! I have seen very few K Dramas in which a Korean actor has convincingly played a Korean American, or even one who has studied in the US. Obviously, as English speakers, we can tell what their level of English is, but I imagine most Korean viewers don’t notice. There are a few actors who can pull it off. Lee Byung-hun (Mr. Sunshine) comes to mind and Daniel Henny, who is actually Korean Maerican and had to learn Korean.
And finally, Joanna, a confession is not a confession unless you say it to the person you like! Those are the rules! I’m a lawyer, trust me!
As for WMW:
Dynamite Kiss on Netflix – I am still loving this show even it is frustrating the viewers by keeping the OTP apart for so long!
Dear X on Viki – I just finished this. It is DARK. You will like this K Drama if you would have like the Glory even if you weren’t sure that Song Hye-kyo’s character was a good person. This show is also great because you really have no idea where it is going until the very end. Kim You-jung absolutely eats up the screen in this. I think she has gone a long way toward shedding her “Nation’s Sweetheart” label.
Typhoon Family on Netflix – I am slogging through this one. I love the lead actress, but this story is not really doing it for me.
Reply 1988 – I am rewatching this with my sister, who I am staying with for the month. I absolutely love this K Drama – it’s in my Top 10. It is a coming-of-age story that focuses on the families of five teenagers and their families who all live in the same alley in Seol in – you guessed it – 1988. That was a big year for South Korea, as you had the Olympics and the end of the dictatorship. It’s also fascinating to see how ordinary Koreans lived back then and how far South Korean society has come since then. It’s also hilarious! I cannot recommend highly enough.
And finally (again), it is the end of the year so I am going to begin compiling my top 10 K Dramas of 2025. I’m curious what other listeners put in their top 10 – or top 5 – or top 3…. Please share.
Everytime I re-watch Reply 1988, I still cry buckets! Hope you're watching the reunion episodes! It's out in Youtube. Cried again when I saw the cast.
DeleteMalcolm,
ReplyDeleteReply 1988 is one of the only handful Kdramas I gave 5/5 stars. It occupy the 3rd spot behind (1. My Mister, 2. Mr Queen). Objectively, and artsitically, it is better than Mr Queen. But, Mr Queen gave/gives me SO much pleasure and amusment I had to be honest with myself.
I am 100% with you about sharing our best of the year. I actually wanted a special episode for it. I am compiling my list for a full award program. Best Drama, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Ensemble. And maybe a bunch of other categories. But, they must not be of spoilery nature like best couple/best kiss.
...and maybe a razzie for worst drama :)
Hey I like a best of the year show in addition to y'all posting! For razzie I want a timestamp for worst acted scene.
DeleteOhhhhh. Worst Drama! I love it!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you guys talked about Kim Seon ho! I loved him enough to watch 50+ episodes of Season 4 of Two Days One Night -- a Korean travel show where a group of guys go around Korea playing games to determine what they'll eat and where they'll sleep. It's also the basis for my recent Korean trip itinerary. Don't know if you guys have it there in the US but clips are available in Youtube.
ReplyDelete