Start-Up is the latest Netflix k-drama to make some huge waves because of the intensely addicting love triangle at its very center. While the series is really about a woman’s quest to start her own million-dollar company, much of the episodes revolve around the budding romance and tension among our three protagonists: computer geek Nam Do-san, future millionaire Seo Dal-mi, and angel investor Ji-pyeong.
Ladies and gentlemen, this love triangle is going to be bloody. It has been a cordial one so far, but as the show progresses, I assure you there will be an extremely disappointed and hateful group of viewers crying over how the romance storyline will turn out.
It’s been a while since I saw my mutuals so intensely divided about a TV show couple which is crazy considering this is just the millionth variant of Cyrano de Bergerac that has hit our screen over the years.
But, even Start-Up was enough to wake me up from a month-long writing hiatus. So you can tell that I am extremely passionate about this topic. To be more specific, I am extremely passionate about spreading the word that Han Ji-pyeong is whom Seo Dal-mi should end up with.
So if you’re a fan of the Nam Do-san, I am already warning you that shots will be fired against him if the title of this article wasn’t a clue already. And if you missed it, read about how your love language reveals whether or not you’re #TeamJipyeong or #TeamDosan!
There are minor spoilers until Episode Ten, so proceed with caution!
When Seo Dal-mi confronted her sister in the first episode, Ji-pyeong realized that it was the same Seo Dal-mi he exchanged letters with when he was younger. After it hit him, we saw his concern for her as he watched her go crazy at the bus stop and talk with her grandma at the corndog truck.
Since then, he has always looked out for Dal-mi and has influenced a series of events that had her genuine interest at heart… even if she has no idea of his existence. Repeat after me: actions without taking credit are acts of pure love.
He is not Nice Guy-ing his way into her life. Ji-pyeong cares about her happiness first, and her love second. Unlike all the other faux Nice Guys, he does not throw a tantrum in front of Dal-mi because she doesn’t pick him. He is not like Dawson who acts like a spoiled brat when the girl doesn’t pick him.
Instead, he lets Nam Do-san continue their charade because his girl is happy even if it has been killing him.
By no fault of her own, Dal-mi is in a terribly confusing situation. And I’m not going to pretend that I know what she’s going through, but it’s easy to assume that she has her wires all crossed.
How easy is it to separate her feelings between the Do-san from the letters and the real Do-san? I’m guessing not at all. It’s difficult for me to believe the idea that her feelings for the real Do-san have nothing to do with the letters.
Unfortunately, Dal-mi is a grown adult with the emotional experience of an adolescent. For those of us who have gone through first love, we know that it’s pretty easy to be blinded by the idea of romance because it’s fun and new.
You choose to believe all the nice things and turn a blind eye on all the red flags.
Do you remember when Dal-mi just forgave Do-san after she realized that he wasn’t a hotshot CEO? I rest my case.
Relationships based on lies will most probably never work out. But this is TV — we’re allowed to suspend our disbelief and bend the rules. That said, wow, doesn’t Do-san jumping on the chance to get together with Dal-mi feel a bit like he’s taking advantage of this opportunity?
There’s a fine line between a white lie and a damaging lie, and Do-san is smacked dab in the middle.
I can already hear you say: “Ji-pyeong also lied to Dal-mi.“
But here’s the thing: their lies are incomparable because of where they come from. First, the original lie of impersonating Do-san in the letters was co-authored by Dal-mi’s grandmother in the wholesome pursuit of friendship.
And he continues to ride on the Lying Train precisely because he doesn’t want Dal-mi to get hurt knowing the truth.
Then there’s Do-san. I’ve entertained the idea that maybe the only reason he agreed to partake in the lie was because he cared about Dal-mi. It’s entirely possible — hell, he even said it himself — but I’m not convinced. And this is where I’ll probably get hurled insults by Camp Team Do-san since this is probably where my bias starts to cloud my judgement.
But I can’t stand by the fact that he continued pretending to be Do-san from the letters just so that he could be with his crush in the early episodes. Do it for Dal-mi’s happiness? Yes. Do it for your own? Hell no!
The fact that he continued to play the role of successful businessman until he realized Dal-mi only likes the “letter version” of him is a manipulative move. To me, deceiving someone who is virtually a stranger just because you like her is extremely problematic.
The reason why Ji-pyeong kept the charade going was because he wanted to see Dal-mi happy. Think about this: he could have revealed his true self and he would’ve gained everything from it. But he chose not to, knowing how much it would crush Dal-mi.
I was honestly confused when I searched Start-Up after watching the first episode and realized the painfully obvious fact that Seo Dal-mi and Nam Do-san were going to be endgame. The emotional intelligence of both characters are at such a different level that it’s hard to comprehend how they could be a couple in real life.
While Dal-mi is navigating the world in her early twenties, Do-san is stuck in a high school teen drama.
Some may argue that he was immature in the beginning of the show and is starting to grow into a man. Other than developing into a better lover, I personally don’t see anything that would convince me that he has truly grown.
Shattering glass nameplates, crying loudly in front of the doctor’s office, and his affinity for “grand gestures” are so… boy-ish. Yes, he has a heart of gold and a strong sense of empathy, but so do a lot of kindergarteners.
The fact that he would allow his friends to literally cockblock Ji-pyeong in Episode 10 is probably the greatest showcase of his immaturity for me. While Ji-pyeong told Do-san of his intention to pursue Dal-mi right in front of his face, Do-san decided to play dirty.
Contrast that with Dal-mi who has gone through a lot in her life. She does exhibit childlike behavior like her obsession with the Nam Do-san from her childhood, and her constant need to one-up her sister. However, we’re actually seeing her grow out of this as she delves deeper into the start-up world.
Similarly, Ji-pyeong has anger management issues and trouble expressing gratitude towards other people, but you can tell his immature behavior comes from growing up alone. Aside from that, he generally carries himself like someone his age.
Plus, the on-screen chemistry of Dal-mi and Do-san is very much like siblings rather than lovers, but we’re not ready to get bashed for that.
This is probably one of the things that bother me most about the Dal-mi and Do-san relationship. Call me a realist but everything just worked out for them like a fairytale. I get that k-dramas aren’t really known for their realistic storylines, but I can’t get behind the fact that Do-san “took the shortcut” to Dal-mi’s heart.
I’m a fan of the trope where the girl doesn’t choose her first love (Ji-pyeong) because in real life, they don’t always work out. For that to work effectively though, we’d have to witness why the “other choice” (Do-san) is the better one.
If Pacey and Joey ended up together by the second season of Dawson’s Creek, people would be angry. It wasn’t until the third season that the show gave us believable scenarios why they would end up together.
And right now, the show is at the proverbial second season. It has not given Ji-pyeong supporters any reason to believe that Do-san is the better choice, other than the fact that he is objectively the nicer person of the two. The fact that Dal-mi fell into Do-san’s lap is still salvageable in my eyes, but writers need to make the latter a bit more likable.
How is Do-san so competitive that he isn’t even the littlest bit grateful of Ji-pyeong’s role in his relationship with Dal-mi? I’m not saying that he should be on his knees worshipping Ji-pyeong, but maybe acknowledging that fact wouldn’t hurt. And can we talk about how arrogant he was in declaring that he doesn’t want Plan B in the final scene of the tenth episode? Maybe you can turn down the vitriol against Ji-pyeong just a little bit.
The show is starting to become like Reply 1994 where it’s become physically painful to watch every episode as the show keeps dragging the love triangle to sadistically make the Second Lead suffer.
And that’s my list of reasons why I’m not ready to jump on the Do-san wagon just yet, but I’m not saying that Ji-pyeong is completely faultless. I would be the first to admit that not telling Dal-mi the truth from the very beginning was stupid in his part.
While we will never know how things would’ve played out had Han Ji-pyeong actually told the truth from the start, we’re stuck in this timeline. Seo Dal-mi will undoubtedly pick Nam Do-san in the end, but maybe if she opened her eyes, she’d see that maybe he’s not the best option for her.
However, there’s still a lot more episodes to go, so we’ll see how it all shakes out.
Are you team Ji-pyeong or team Do-san? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below! For more entertaining commentary on TV shows, click here. Never miss out on anything by following us @ZoomersCornerPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Team ji pyeong... and i love you hahahaha mwah mwah!!! And may i add... when they block jp... i just wonder what do you called those 2... friends right?... i thought ND said he doesn't have anything...
I knoooow, that blocking scene was so hard to watch! It's especially more sad when you realize that Jipyeong will not have the same kind of "back-up" considering how isolated he's been his whole life.
For the record, Nam Do San did not ride on Ji Pyeong's coattails. When he decided to go at the party, it was his own decision without, I repeat, without expecting anything in return.
He wanted to be there for someone he only met by reading the letters because he knows the feeling of having to prove his/her own worth to his/her family.
Ji Pyeong does not really wanted Dal Mi happy. While using the grandmother's bank account , he complied with the request. Most of the messages were messages dictated by Dal Mi's grandmother. If there are instances that Jin Pyeong composed a letter because of his own willingness.
For Ji Pyeong, he will not see someone's worth unless it is for his own benefits. Hence, you cannot say that it was him that helped Do San. It was Dal Mi and Do San's complete trust that made them be part of Sandbox.
I can't deny that Do San is a good person at heart, but you can't immediately discredit Ji Pyeong either. For the record, Do San did somewhat ride on Ji Pyeong's coat tails. There's no way he would have met Dal Mi if it weren't for him, and part of the reason why she fell for him in the first place is because she genuinely believed he was the writer of the letters.
Also, considering the fact that Ji Pyeong saved the letters and remembered her even after 15 years, I think he genuinely cared about Dal Mi, and was doing it for more reason than just her grandmother.
To address another point, if he truly did things for his own benefit, he would have told Dal Mi about the lie much earlier, because back when she didn't know Do San that well, she definitely would have chosen Ji Pyeong. Instead, he kept it going because Do San was happier with it, even when it tore him up inside. He threw a tantrum at halmeoni's corn dog food truck, but eventually apologized and put Dal Mi and Do San before his personal feelings. Dal Mi found out purely by accident, when she took her grandmother's phone instead of hers. Continuing with the lie was a mistake on everyone's parts and they all get the blame.
Dal Mi and Do San did get into SandBox of their own accord, which is a great (!!) accomplishment. That, is something you can't credit anything but their own skill for. But let's not forget that Ji Pyeong was kind of stalking them the whole time to see how they were doing and offered them advice for the presentation. No, this was not for his own benefit because getting them into SandBox doesn't really help him other than the fact that he has ~interest~ in Dal Mi and it was honestly kind of embarrassing for him to sneak around in that mentor shirt. He ended up not investing in their company, so it's not as if their success would really benefit him. Once again, he was doing it because he cared.
You may be right in your first paragraph but I do not agree with the third. Ji pyeong may have written the first letter by the grandma's wish and words, but the rest of the letters we written by him. That is if u were not blind to the flash backs. Ji pyeong was sincere. Do San just took advantage of the whole situation. Do you realize that if ji pyeong had come out as d Do San she knew and the whole truth, I feel she would have been angry but would have fallen for him instead of Do San. She would have never even known Do San. To be sincere, I started watching this drama because of a clip I saw about Do San and Dal mi but when I started watching it, I was in team ji pyeong. I tried to not spoil the drama for myself but as I saw everything bending to Do San's part, I just quit watching it.
For your last paragraph, I will say that the only wrong thing ji pyeong did was to take time to fall for Dal mi but I feel his love is true. I believe Do San's love was infactuation. He fell for her too easily. I would say maybe for her looks or her encouragement which no one gave him. Ji pyeong may have been too harsh but it helped them just as your parents would be harsh just to make you work harder.
Permit me to say that anyone who watched this drama and didn't wish even for ten minutes that ji pyeong was the right one for her might have watched the drama with his or her buttocks. Thank you
Perfeita análise. Penso igual
Ji-pyeong always there for Dalmi in her hard time..
Team Jipyeong ..lots of love❤️❤️
Team ji pyeong all the way! And fir all the same reasons you've listed. I've seen too many heroines become stupid and pretty much get what they deserve...like Reply 1994. I
I think Do-San and Ji-Pyeong's lies are not the same. Ji-Pyeong created a character in his letters, a character he and Dalmi's grandma took from a newspaper, which is identity theft in a way. This is FATE coming in to play. Do-San through no fault of his own was in the dark with this scheme. Ji-Pyeong developing feelings for Dalmi in the letters could also be him processing his own thoughts and feelings because he had a rough life. He realizes he loves Dalmi, only 15 years later too late. Timing is his greatest enemy and fate was not on his side. He could have continued to write Dalmi letters, he could also have explained himself in the letters and tell the truth (because he had every opportunity to do so)... BUT he didn't.
Do-San on the other hand was thrown into the plot when Dal-mi contacted him about the baseball. Had Ji-Pyeong not intervened, Dal-mi would have burst her "Do-San" bubble right then and there when they were supposed to meet up for the sale of the baseball. When Do-San saw her for the first time in the park, she and Do-San made eye contact and there was a sense of some supernatural connection, just like that cherry blossom landing on Do-San in the first episode.
Do-San did not want Ji-pyeong's money. He never accepted it. He decided to meet with Dalmi solely out of his own volition, to be there for the girl, to not disappoint her, and to make her look good. He played along when she lied to Injae and her mom. He didn't want to play the character that Ji-Pyeong wanted him to play... He engaged in conversation when they shared ramyeon and dessert, even when Ji-Pyeong told her not to. At this point, he already fell for the girl.
Do-San and Ji-Pyeong are opposites. Yes, Do-San is such a boy, but this is not his fault. He lacked social experience, making him awkward and inept with responses. His language is coding. And he realized that the best way to get rid of the problem, which is the lie to Dalmi, is to face the problem head on, but Dalmi's grandma intervened (asking Do-San to keep her eyesight a secret) and just let Dalmi be happy because she has been happy with the real Do-San. Needless to say, Dalmi is also such a girl, still kind of immature and emotional, yet resilient nonetheless. They both lack social experience.
One thing that needs to be studied here is intention. What are Ji-Pyeong's and Do-San's dreams, intentions, or motivations? Do-San wanted to make Dalmi happy and Ji-Pyeong didn't want to hurt Dalmi. Do-San didn't have a dream until he met Dalmi. Ji-Pyeong has already achieved his dream, career-wise. So in terms of sailing off without a map, Do-San and Dalmi are in the same boat. Dalmi dreamed of making it in life, but she also wanted "Do-San" as to which Do-San she really truly wants, we'll just have to wait.
The question is who is the better choice for Dalmi? Ji-Pyeong, who is already settled in life and seems all put-together, independent, and self-reliant, or Do-San, who helps Dalmi realize her ideas and in a way her dreams. Ji-Pyeong doesn't need Dalmi, and Dalmi doesn't need Ji-Pyeong. She and Do-San worked together very well because their visions are alike.
Fate intervenes again and separates Do-San and Dalmi when 2STO acqhires SamSan Tech. Flash forward to three years and assuming many things could happen within this time. Do-San and Dalmi both may have grown in life and experience, making Do-San in a way level up to Ji-Pyeong's success and maturity.
Either way Dalmi chooses, it's a win-win. Both are good choices in my honest opinion. I just think that Dalmi is better off with Do-San because they can both sail together without a map knowing that they'd have each other's backs.
So is it ji pyeong's fault that he worked hard and became successful?
Who says that people who cry easily have a high degree of empathy? In many cases people turn on the waterworks to avoid confrontation when they know they are in the wrong, or to GAIN sympathy/empathy from others. It can be a calculated move and doesn't necessarily mean that the person understands what others are going through or connects with them on a deeper level.
Do San is a sorry case. He started the fight with Ji Pyeong because Ji Pyeong gave his honest take on the situation. An unfortunate situation that their cockiness and pride found them in; giving UNBIASED harsh advice that Yong San ASKED Ji Pyeong for. He throws the first punch and then has the nerve to spring Halmoni's loss of eyesight on him, adding that she did not want Ji Pyeong to know. Well, sir, I recall her asking you not to tell Dal Mi either, but you had a problem sticking to that! Do San picked the one that worked for him, spilling the beans to Dal Mi early on because this paved the way for him to be her knight in shining armor. No way could he just make the app and keep the diagnosis private as she asked, how would that benefit him? Instead, he chose to tell Dal Mi the truth and keep Ji Pyeong in the dark. Until in his arrogance, Do San messed up so badly that he needed Ji Pyeong to bail him out.
I've resigned myself to the fact that I will not like Do San, there are just too many red flags. From his insecurities, manipulative tendencies, to blatant anger issues. I can't ignore them. How many close-ups of Do San's clenched fists were shown? Until finally he followed Ji Pyeong and attacked him. Had the roles been reversed, this comment section would be full of DoDal stans claiming harassment. I just want to say that it is not always the person trying their hardest to be seen as good or selfless that is best. Often, the most giving people go without applause or overt attention.
Throughout this drama I have not seen Do San give up anything that really mattered to him. Not once has this happened, and though he claims that he'd give up on Dal Mi should she choose not to be with him, we see shortly after that it is a lie. Do San isn't a selfless person. He doesn't mind letting certain things go because they are of no consequence to him, but should they matter? He'd be unwilling to make the sacrifice, and as we've seen, becomes downright violent. I can't help but question what Dal Mi sees in him.
Whereas, we are shown that Ji Pyeong understands the value of relationships, but is willing to operate truthfully and selflessly. My boy went back to get that letter. My boy went to those offices to save them from making the bad deal. My boy put his feelings aside to give them a solution that would HELP their business and not drain them financially and emotionally. Ji Pyeong is the best boy, going mostly without thanks, but still doing the job. There aren't many others in this drama that I could say the same of. Certainly not Do San who needs everyone to know how great he is at all times. I'm over it.
Totally agree with you! Dodal stans are either childish or super biased. How can they not see that Do San is a very manipulative person who always takes credit of everything even if he did not do it. Same thing happened 15 years ago where we learn that he cheated and therefore got the first place. And through all those years, he had the time to reflect and learn from his mistakes but guess what... he did it again.
How can they not see when the truth was finally revealed, Han ji Pyeong actually talked good to Dalmi about DoSan and he did not even try to take credit for it. He didn't go up to dosan face and said that he said all those things, while Dosan didn't even thank JP for helping him get the girl. Do san also followed DM basically begging her not to leave and giving stupid reasons like "I don't want to see you cry bla bla...".
I seriously hate this character after ep 12. I actually plan to stop watching because the writing was already very bad but was curious to what happened in the fight. Then I learnt that it was the childish DS once again. My boy JP even told grandma he started it, didnt even say DS punch me first when she asked "Who is the jerk who would beat up a good boy". And DM definitely doesn't deserve JP anymore. Im so done with this drama, just very disappointed.
Exactly!!!!
Team ji pyeong all the way
I rest my case
I searched on internet just to see if there were people that felt like me about this drama. I’m a very big fan of Do San actor and when the drama started I was kinda excited to see him as the main lead. But as the story progressed I started feeling that Jipyeong would be the best for her too. Actually now it feels like their romance is being forced by the script. It’s like they want us to forcefully choose Dosan and so they made him do all these nice things, but still I can’t feel the sincerity. Another thing that just made me fell with Jipyeong is when he showed Dosan one of the letters of Dalmi where she wrote a very deep sentence and Dosan had such a hard time understanding it and Jipyeong was getting frustrated! That just shows that Dalmi and Dosan don’t have the same emotional intelligence, that instead Jipyeon possesses. And also as you said the chemistry between Dalmi and Jipyeong is just so good! I feel sorry for the main actor, but the second lead totally stole the scene! Haha
Why do I feel like we're on the same page.i started the drama because of do San. I loved his acting in school 2015 but in this drama, it turned out to be ji pyeong all the way
I agreed with every single word you said, besides, when helmony asked Dalmi which dosan she liked more, she said the one that wrote her the letters. Ji Pyeong did everything he could to give dalmi the Dosan she liked, which was a reflection of himself and that was the start of everything, dalmi always fell for the Ji Pyeong version of Dosan. but now, the show is crossing the opposite path and I think that's really annoying and... unnecessary.
Couldn't agree more! Do san is such a child and especially after episode 12, I am utterly triggered at him. Spoiler ALERT.
We he went out and punched Ji pyeong and then when he couldn't win, told him the truth about the grandmother's eyes when he in fact knows that Ji Pyeong probably loves the grandmother more than Dal mi.
aaah yo apenas voy a ver ese episodio pq estaba haciendo tarea, maldito Do San no le conviene a Dal Mi no se comporta como un adulto y todo lo toma a juego, TEAMJIPYEONG
I agree, i dont like to watch more since the script insisted for dosan and dal mi :(
Are you guys ok? Yes, he threw the first punch( I understand why he did, he'd been angry for a while at GoodBoy. Wouldn't you be too if someone was always condescending to and putting you down every opportunity they got? You all love to preach about respecting ppl on the internet but are quick to switch up when you don't like the situation or person smh) + He told Ji pyeong about dal mi's grandmother's failing eyesight bc he needed his help to make sure the noongil app stayed up and running& in development. He knew if Ji pyeong knew about ms. Choi going blind he'd do everything possible to help her
Ji Pyeong being rude to Do San and Samsan Tech is just something he and all other investors say to start ups to make sure they're actually prepared, yet Dosan going so far as to start a fight (as well as smashing that guy's glass nameplate when they could have just passive aggressively declined the offer) shows that he needs to work through anger issues.
I agree that he's a sweet guy and he has his heart in the right place for starting Noongil and trying to keep it running by telling Ji Pyeong about halmeoni's vision issues. I think he's a good match for Dal Mi, because they enjoy spending time together and he makes her happy (possibly?). However, I feel like his maturity levels are lacking.
He somehow managed to fall for her the first time they spent time together (and they had barely talked at all, they mostly just stuck together for appearances) which makes me feel like Dal Mi was just the first girl he really knew and that's why he developed feelings. He's not emotionally mature enough (should I bring up the time he couldn't figure out what a metaphor is? He eventually got it but that's not exactly a good sign). I will say that Dal Mi isn't super mature either, considering she's holding onto her first love that she only knew through letters but that just means they aren't really ready for a relationship together.
Additionally, Do San ended up continuing the lie after the first day because he wanted to spend more time with her, even though Ji Pyeong knew that deceiving her for too long would be harmful. Yes, it would've made her sad to just end it right there, but keeping the lie on made her hurt much worse. The original plan was just to help her save face at the networking party, and it went on far longer than it should have. The blame falls on the both of them, and no matter whose side you're on, this isn't something you can deny.
To be honest, I was team Ji Pyeong at first, and I'm still rooting for him, but at this point I know it's not going to happen. There are also parts of his character I don't particularly like and Dal Mi isn't super comfortable around him either, and that's something that should also be considered. In the end, I don't super like either Do San or Ji Pyeong (although I am still biased) and this is a stretch, Dal Mi should move on and find someone new because she honestly deserves better.
Stop trying to cover up the already spilt milk. Do San was wrong in every way