The songs featured during the recap: “I Know” by Seunghui, Jiho, and Yubin, and “Let’s Go To Sandbox” by Kim Dong Hyuk.
The history and meaning behind Korea's first snow superstition and how it shows up in K Dramas and real life.
Netflix’s evolution and its global strategy as it reportedly acquires Warner Brothers.
The symbolism behind the money plant that Dal-mi gives Do-san and the Joseon-era significance of In-jae cutting her hair.
How Sandbox reflects the early 2000s .com startup culture — including casual offices and office dogs.
The origin of the word “bug” in computing and its metaphorical meaning for Do-san’s emotional crash.
How all three leads — Dal-mi, Do-san, and In-jae — are sailing without a map, trying to prove themselves independently.
The parallel journeys of the sisters, and their complicated relationships with their mother.
The growing love triangle tension and the deepening emotional complexity between Dal-mi, Do-san, and Ji-pyeong.
The Go-Stop card game birthday celebration — a wish from Ji-pyeong’s past that’s now come true — and the bittersweet memories it revives.
The pivotal moment where Do-san asks Dal-mi what she likes about him and struggles with the weight of living a lie.
Ji-pyeong’s bold promise to the grandmother that Dal-mi won’t get hurt — and the emotional and logistical risks behind it.
The drama and stakes of the Sandbox hackathon selection process, including the surprise that Do-san isn’t chosen as a CEO.
Nam Do-san’s decision to choose Seo Dal-mi as CEO, based on both heart and logic, and the critical contrast between Dal-mi and In-jae as leaders.
Nam Joo-hyuk’s acting journey, from modeling to his acclaimed roles in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, Start-Up, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One.
References
Thanks, Joanna and Sung Hee for another entertaining and informative episode. Your podcast drops are one of the fun things about Fridays. I appreciate your dives into Korean/Asian culture in this episode such as explaining the money tree and the Confucian views on cutting hair.
ReplyDeleteWardrobe note: All three Samsan founders wear checked flannel t-shirts, and Dal-mi wears checked flannel pajamas in a couple of scenes in this and previous episodes. Are the costume designers signaling that she’s a fit with the team?
I’d love to see a featured actor spotlight on Kim Hae-sook (the grandmother). She’s the glue that holds the timelines and characters together and is wonderful at playing characters with grit and also a twinkle in her eyes. She was great as Jeong-won’s mother in Hospital Playlist.
You asked for best of 2025 recommendations for your final 2025 podcast. A few suggestions:
Study Group (Viki in the US): Based on a webtoon, this show features Hwang Min-hyun (Alchemy of Souls) as a student who has secretly trained to be an amazing martial artist but really just wanted to get good grades. Joanne, this show would make a good watch with your son. There is violence, but in a very cartoony way.
Love Scout (Viki in the US): Joanne, you mentioned that you enjoyed this show, too. It’s so romantic and manages to maintain the pace for the entire season.
Shows still dropping in 2025:
Dynamite Kiss: I agree with Joanne, MalcomPDX and Seven Seas that Dynamite Kiss is addictive so far. The ML Jang Ki-yong and FL Ahn Eun-jin are charming and ooze chemistry. Did anyone who’s watching this show think the toilet paper chasing scene in Episode 9 was a nod to the gorgeous My Dearest scene of Ahn Eun-jin chasing the spool of red thread (and running into her true love)? Doremi, SDGuy and Seven Seas: Thank you for recommending Atypical Family. I tried it based on seeing Jang Ki-yong in Dynamite Kiss and your recommendation and agree that it’s a great show and very underrated.
Disappointing 2025 show: Last Summer. Lee Jae-Wook is a versatile and talented actor, but he’s wasted in this show. Ellen, the plot line would drive you crazy.
Thank you for the headsup!
DeleteTrip and Catch, thank you for your comments! Fear not, we will discuss Kim Hae Sook in a future episode. We love her!
DeleteThank you for your 2025 list. I haven't been decided on my list yet and I gotta get on it!
Excellent, another fan of Atypical Family!
ReplyDeleteBest of 2025? Hmmm...
When Life Gives You Tangerines and Our Unwritten Seoul would have to be high on the list.
There is a fun show on Viki called The First Night with the Duke, which I hope comes to Netflix someday. The free opening eps reminded me of my favourite Pride and Prejudice spinoff, Lost in Austen. I also enjoyed Resident Playbook, but it was pretty lightweight.
My other year highlights are all older shows which I watched for the first time: Atypical Family, Prison Playbook, My Mister and Twinkling Watermelon, which finally came to Netflix in my region. I've just started watching Signal.
Many shows were of uneven quality, and I would put Typhoon Family in this box. The main storyine abt the business suffered from poor plotting and a two-dimensional villian but I loved the relationships, especially btwn the MLs Mum and the FLs little brother.
Doremi, thank you for your 2025 choices! There are so many episodes published that everyone's list is so different from everyone else;s!
DeleteI was curious about The First Night With the Duke! Love Tangerines and Our Unwritten Seoul. Too many shows!
Loving your episodes on Start Up! I believe it was my second Kdrama and I remember loving it. Your recaps/reviews are making me want to rewatch it! Of the ones I’ve seen, my top three 2025 Kdramas are When Life Gives You Tangerines, The Art of Negotiation, and Beyond The Bar. My favorite actress and actor performances this year (from two other quality dramas) are Park Bo-young in Our Unwritten Seoul and Kim Jae-wook in Melo Movie.
ReplyDeleteOoh, thank you for your list. I really enjoyed Melo Movie, but I didn't think the first couple was as compelling as the second couple. And the relationship between the brothers was wonderful.
DeleteYes, Park Bo-young was great!
ReplyDelete*I thought this was a weaker episode than the previous one with long flashback and long card playing scenes. I confess I used the FF button for them. The flashback didn’t tell us anything new and was way too long, and playing could have been considerably shorter. But, I think they want these episodes to be 80mins, so they have to fill them somehow.
ReplyDelete* I feel that Ji Pyeong character a bit inconsistent, or at least he softened a lot from his introduction at the beginning of the series.
His advice to Do-San about the CEO position is spot on though. That position requires different skills, and also give him more time to concentrate on the product itself.
But, he could have explained that much gentler and in a more constructive way, instead of telling him you will never be a good CEO.
* I laughed when the mother slammed the door, and then said “This wasn’t wind” lol.
*I agree with Joanna’s analysis of the mother-daughters relationship.
*When Do-San was thinking that everything Dal-Mi mentioned wasn’t him apart from big hand, I half expected him to think “These were transplants when I had an accident” lol.
*Do-San dilemma which sister to choose was an interesting, and very realistic one I thought. I don’t have strong opinion about the issue in principle.
But, in the context of the series it is wobbly.
I am really struggling with Dal-Mi I don’t find her very believable. I simply don’t believe people just suddenly develop acumen for business. It is a bummer when the MC writing and acting wise is your least favourite.
*Sand Box boos: I think this is the first time I see this actress playing a good person. She is always the villain.
So, after 25%, I am enjoying the series. I like the pacing despite filler/too long scenes. The set-up and characters are largely interesting.
Despite all these beautiful young people, it is actually The Grandmother and Ji Pyeong that have the best chemistry. I would say it is followed by Ji Pyeong and Do-San.
Unfortunately, the biggest problem is Dal-Mi. I am not buying her character, and even worse completely unconvinced by the acting.
Dynamite Kiss continue to be entertaining, but I am using the FF button a lot. There are lots of scenes (yes, triangle related) that I found extremely childish, and completely unfunny. But, the leads have an absolutely amazing chemistry and their scenes together make up for it.
E09 had an EPIC cameo (those watching, please don’t spoil it) if you get it.
It is fun watch after long day in the office for me, but the fluff is disproportionality high for my taste.
To change the scenery I started watching The Manipulated on Disney+. It is action series starring Ji Chang Wook. Reasonably enjoyable with lots of fight scenes. It is produced by Disney+ and it shows. Episodes are 50mins, very generic, and it is hardly any different from American series apart from having Korean actors.
I agree, the needless filler and slow-mo stuff is very silly (and certainly seems like a K-Drama element to me!). Still enjoying the show and the premise, but for me the writing veers from good to lousy, often within the same episode.
DeleteYes - I too have rediscovered 1.5x speed! The handshake - I knew it was in slo-mo watching the time countdown. Some scenes are much too drawn out.
DeleteSeven Seas, I saw the cameo in episode 9 of Dynamite Kiss and I kept thinking, is that who I think that is? I won't say more!
DeleteSeven Seas, thank you, as always, for your thoughtful comments.
DeleteI didn't think the card game scene was fluff. Several things happened during that scene. Han Ji Pyeong starts to look at Seo Dal Mi differently, and Nam Do San starts to notice that Han Ji Pyeong is looking at Seo Dal Mi differently. But I get what you're saying and yes, 1.5 speed is your friend. I watch each episode several times, so 1.5 speed is my friend!
We're seeing a transformation with Seo Dal Mi and it will be interesting to see what you think.
I agree with you that Han Ji Pyeong is inconsistent. He's hot and cold on Samsan Tech, he's the same with Seo Dal Mi. I'm suspicious of this guy!
Okay, you sold me on Dynamite Kiss, let's go!
ReplyDeleteOverall with the exception of some scenes enjoying Start Up and great podcast episode as usual. Joanna's comment on choosing a team (it really takes time to get to know people and develop trust) did point out a confusing thing to me - is Sandbox actually acting like a reality show rather than like an incubator? My impression had been that you have a company/team and take the concept intact and get support from Sandbox. But picking a CEO based on a Family Feud type series of questions followed by recruiting strangers - very different thing. Otherwise Samsan Tech may not have a business model yet but if technology is good enough you should get some runway to figure it out. Too bad they were too early for AGI - then they could answer questions about their business model like Sam Altman does - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pLnyjxgFxew
ReplyDeleteGreat hearing about best shows of 2025 (although too many to watch). I don't remember when things came out so I was looking at this list -
https://asianwiki.com/Category:2025_South_Korean_Drama_Series
Add me to the list of Park Bo-Young fans like DoReMi and Anonymous - she had two good dramas. My 2025 favorites - Our Unwritten Seoul; When Life Gives You Tangerines; Trauma Code; Resident Playbook; You and Everything Else; Tempest; BAYM; Melo Movie; Would You Marry Me; Love Scout.
SDguy, I thought the same about sandbox.
DeleteI was a bit surprised to see them looking for a Q&A, and guide books as if they were going to an exam. But, then of course it becane apparent.
I am must admit that I found the whole Sandbox thing very strange, but I went with it.
To me, CEO is not about answering some word association words. I think I would have done well in that exam, but I know for 100% that I would be an absolute rubbish CEO. Not fake modesty. I am serious. Theory is one thing, reality is another.
So, it seemed a strange way to choose a CEO.
Furthermore, they are allocating only 1 hour to arguably the most important decision. Choosing the team. Samsan came as ready team, but I think most of the others are going to be random people without a clear vision or unity.
If I was an investor, why would I even be involved in such chaotic, and completely irrational system?? Venture Capitalists are not exactly the helpful sort who cares about others.
Idk, maybe they throw some change for their own entertainment and amusement.
The whole thing looked ridiculous to me, but I just chose to ignore it because it was clearly just a way to service the plot.
I think they needed a better way to set up the clash between the sister. Certainly showing us Dal-Mi interest in business much earlier.
SDguy, you are so right that the process for picking a CEO and then a team was more like a reality show! Great analogy!
DeleteAnd Seven Seas, I'm with you that Seo Dal Mi hadn't show any business acumen at all. She did a great job of managing the mob at the coffee shop, and helping grandma run a coffee shop, but that's it, and that experience is not at all related to running an AI startup with a group of developers and designers. But as you say, this is a K Drama and a great one, in my opinion.
And yes, we are clueless about why the estrangement between the sisters feels to intense, almost cruel, especially on Won In Jae's part.
Thank you for your comments.
Hi there everyone, another great episode and podcast. Here are my two 2025 Top Five Lists:
ReplyDeleteNetflix 2025 Top Five for 2025
When Life Gives You Tangerines - A riveting family drama interwoven with South Korea’s recent history, I loved it.
Trauma Code - exciting and funny drama about South Korea’s emergency medical system, can’t wait for Season 2.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha - Not new, but new to me. I’ve watched it three times.
Resident Playbook - It makes you feel like you live in this hospital.
Startup - Also not new to me, but energizing and original, a great ride.
All Streaming Top 5 for 2025
Lovely Runner - Great all the way through. But you have to pay close attention to the time jumps! Viki
Love Scout - A fun and adult love and career story. Viki
When Life Gives You Tangerines - from my Netflix List
Hometown Cha Cha Cha - from Netflix
Startup - from my Netflix List
Ellen, thank you for your lists. I have watched all of the shows on your lists and they are all top notch! Sung hee couldn't get through Trauma Code, but hey, if I can enjoy a business/tech show like Start-Up, she can enjoy a hospital show with a crazy doctor and organ transplants in a helicopter! Haha!
DeleteSeven Seas, I think the audience is supposed to buy the idea of Dal-mi as a CEO based on the leadership qualities displayed in her internship role, her work ethic, and her plucky, can-do personality. Not sure if that's all it takes :) or whether those things motivated Do-san, though!
ReplyDeleteDoremi, I haven't seen any leadership qualities from Dal-Mi. Organising a queue can hardly qualify as such. I used to work part-time in retail. I have seen far more impressive things from the people who mange tills on Christmas Eve shopping day.
DeleteThe CEOs I have seen through work have above all a vision, strategy, and determination (sometime it leads to their downfall, but they are confident and believe in themselves).
Dal-Mi has none of those. She is more of a dreamer. Suggesting this and that. No vision. .
Do-San logic in choosing her is not totally wrong in principle. Sometimes it is better to work with those you get along with even if they are not the best qualified. Especially if you want to have more autonomy.
In addition the series is inflating her skills.
*shrug* I am trying to ignore LOTS of things in this series and just go with the flow, because it is enjoyable. But I am not taking it seriously at all as a business series.
I'm not taking it seriously either, in case that wasn't clear. :)
DeleteDoremi and Seven Seas, I'm not taking this show seriously because it is SO GOOD. The acting, the storyline, the arcs, the music -- all of it is great.
DeleteAs for Nam Do San choosing Seo Dal Mi, that is an interesting one. Like I said in the episode, choosing Won In Jae was the obvious choice. Sort of. Because choosing Won In Jae meant they were working for Injae Company. Choosing Seo Dal Mi meant Samsan Tech continued to exist AND the developers got to stay as the dominant culture.
I am LOVING all of these comments and perspetives. THANK YOU, all of you!
I don't know if it'll be discussed later on in the episodes but Sunghee was right in saying that the shooting location of Sandbox is an island in the Han River -- however, the building is CGI.
ReplyDeleteAs for Go Stop, I feel like it's a little bit of mahjong where they match patterns and stuff. It's also played in Strong Girl Bong Soon.