“Start-Up,” A Journey of Youth

A start-up refers to a newly founded venture business in the early stages of growth, before receiving any large-scale financing. These businesses tend to make use of innovative technology and ideas. “Start-Up,” a drama depicting a group of young entrepreneurs as they throw themselves into the world of start-ups, was released in October this year by Korea’s tvN channel in collaboration with the global entertainment service Netflix. It shows the group at the “start” of their journey, and their growth and rise “up” in Korea’s Silicon Valley. With a cast that includes Bae Suzy (playing Seo Dal-mi), Nam Joo-hyuk (playing Nam Do-san), Kim Seon-ho (playing Han Ji-pyeong), and Kang Hanna (playing Won In-Injae), as well as director Oh Choong-hwan of “Hotel Del Luna” and writer Park Hye-ryun of “I Can Hear Your Voice,” the drama has already attracted much attention.

Dal-mi and In-jae are sisters separated by their parents’ divorce. Dal-mi stayed with their father but was raised by her grandmother after his passing. They struggled financially, and Dal-mi was unable to attend university and has since spent her days working various part-time jobs. In-jae, on the other hand, chose to stay with their mother and grew up wealthy thanks to her stepfather.

Ji-pyeong spent his childhood in an orphanage, but his exceptional talent led him to become a senior manager at an investment company. Do-san was a mathematical genius who showed much promise as a child, having been the youngest winner of the Mathematical Olympiad. But he failed to live up to that promise due to his naivete, lack of ambition, and bumbling nature. The drama “Start-Up” brings together a group of characters from different backgrounds as they struggle to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams at the company “Sand Box.” The company’s name is derived from the word “sandbox,” a pit filled with sand to prevent children getting injured as they play.

“Start-Up” was said to be created on the following premise: “Our youth is filled with seemingly endless difficulties, but it is also the brightest times of our lives. We hope everyone can make the most of this period in their lives.” On why she chose the role, actress Bae Suzy stated, “The characters in the story haven’t quite found their footing yet, but no matter how many walls they run up against, how many times they fall or collapse, they keep pushing for their dreams. Just the fact that they were taking on the challenges was beautiful and I felt I could relate.” “Start-Up” is centered around four main characters who are inexperienced but tenacious, and a little rough around the edges but altogether captivating.

|  START-UP

|  Premiere : 17-Oct-2020

|  Provider : tvN, Netflix

|  Genre : Drama, Romance

|  Epidodes : 16ep X 60mins

|  Director : Oh Chung-hwan

|  Writer : Park Hye-ryun

|  Cast : Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Seon-ho, Kang Hanna

|  Concept : With ties from back when they were kids, two people join the korean Silicon Valley for their respective success.