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🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
Young entrepreneurs aspiring to launch virtual dreams into reality compete for success and love in the cutthroat world of Korea's high-tech industry.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 START-UPNext upOct 17, 2020 · 85 min · ★ 8.2
Synopsis
The spring Seo Dal-mi lost everything, Nam Do-san's letters kept her company. Fifteen years later, she needs him by her side to prove Won In-jae wrong.
Guest stars: Ji Seong-geun (Bus passenger), Ahn Su-bin (Lee Min-ji), Park Choong-seon (Il Cheung Construction & Trading manager), Park Young-soo (Real estate agent), Yu Mi-ran (Real estate agent), Kim Jong-ho (SH Venture Capital employee), Lee Re (Won In-jae (young)), Nam Da-reum (Han Ji-pyeong (young))
- E2 FFF (FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOLS)Oct 18, 2020 · 84 min · ★ 8.4
Synopsis
To preserve Dal-mi's past and to support her future, Choi Won-deok asks Han Ji-pyeong to pull off an impossible task.
Guest stars: Choi Yun-seol (Hotel waitress), Bae Bo-ram (Lucca The Tea barista), Jung Ji-hyeon (Lucca The Tea barista), Kim Ji-in (Seo-hyun), Nam Da-reum (Han Ji-pyeong (young)), Yoon Seo-hyun (Lucca The Tea HR manager), Jo Ah-ra (Deputy Manager Jung)
- E3 AngelOct 24, 2020 · 83 min · ★ 7.8
Synopsis
Ji-pyeong scrambles to transform Do-san into the man of Dal-mi's dreams. A rude awakening prompts In-jae to close one door and open another.
Guest stars: Kim Ji-in (Seo-hyun), Yoo Seung-il (Cheon-ho's father), Hong Boo-hyang (Cheon-ho's mother), Kwon Ki-ju (Deliveryman), Heo Jung-eun (Seo Dal-mi (young)), Yoon Seo-hyun (Lucca The Tea HR manager), Jo Ah-ra (Deputy Manager Jung)
- E4 SandboxOct 25, 2020 · 81 min · ★ 8.5
Synopsis
Despite differing pasts, Dal-mi and In-jae fight for their dreams at the same starting line. Ji-pyeong sets out to protect Dal-mi and help Do-san.
Guest stars: Kwon Ban-seok (Investor), Ita (Investor), Lee Chang-sub (Investor), Ko Han-min (Ko Eun-hyun), Heo Jung-eun (Seo Dal-mi (young)), Kim Ju-hun (Seo Cheong-myeong)
- E5 HackathonOct 31, 2020 · 82 min · ★ 8.5
Synopsis
Dal-mi and In-jae present their teams' ideas on the hackathon stage. A story about Dal-mi's upbringing moves Ji-pyeong to fight for her success.
Guest stars: Kim Chae-hyun (Hackathon CEO), Bae Yu-ri (Hackathon CEO), Jang Young-hyeon (Hackathon CEO), Kim Seong-yong (University professor), Kim Kang-hoon (Nam Do-san (young)), Oh Young-mee (Student's mother)
- E6 Key ManNov 1, 2020 · 82 min · ★ 8.3
Synopsis
In-jae uses lessons from her father and stepfather to her advantage. A clash over company shares tests Dal-mi, who turns to Ji-pyeong for advice.
Guest stars: Seol Chang-hee (Cheol-san's co-worker), Park Seong-chan (Doctor)
- E7 Burn RateNov 7, 2020 · 78 min · ★ 8.2
Synopsis
Grappling with his feelings for Dal-mi, Ji-pyeong avoids her. Do-san's knowledge of Won-deok's condition inspires a business idea for Samsan Tech.
Guest stars: Moon Se-yoon (Security guard)
- E8 BackupNov 8, 2020 · 81 min · ★ 9.3
Synopsis
Devastating news gives Dal-mi another reason to make the app a success. Won Du-jeong's plan to teach Do-san and Dal-mi a lesson backfires.
Guest stars: Im Seong-mi (Blind woman), Gu Bon-jin (Detective), Bae Hae-sun (Lee Hye-won), Park Chan-ho (Park Chan-ho)
- E9 RiskNov 14, 2020 · 81 min
Synopsis
Do-san and Ji-pyeong struggle to bear the weight of their untold truths. Doubts and a mix-up lead Dal-mi to the place where it all started.
Guest stars: Kim Kang-hoon (Nam Do-san (young)), Oh Young-mee (Student's mother), Lee Dong-hee (Oh Yeon-ho), Yang Dae-hyeok (Reporter Choi Yang-won)
- E10 Demo DayNov 15, 2020 · 85 min
Synopsis
Ji-pyeong gives Dal-mi long-awaited answers and a confession. Seeking success on his own terms, Do-san considers a golden opportunity.
Guest stars: Oh Kyu-taek (Park cleaning man), An Young-mi (Waitress), Lee Bo-young (Woman at pub), Lee Da-hae (Start-up CEO), Lee Dong-hee (Oh Yeon-ho), Yang Dae-hyeok (Reporter Choi Yang-won)
- E11 ExitNov 21, 2020 · 77 min
Synopsis
Kim Yong-san forces Ji-pyeong to reflect on his past remarks. In-jae and Dal-mi's companies showcase rivaling programs using the same technology.
Guest stars: Bret Allan Lindquist (2STO employee), Jung Wook-jin (Kim Dong-su), Lee Da-hae (Start-up CEO), Jeon Jun-woo (2STO employee), Jeong Joon-hwan (Hackathon participant)
- E12 AcqhireNov 22, 2020 · 86 min
Synopsis
Alex Kwon shows his true colors, proving Ji-pyeong right and fulfilling Samsan Tech's worst fears. Do-san tells Ji-pyeong about Won-deok's health.
Guest stars: Bret Allan Lindquist (2STO employee), Kim Ji-su (Flight attendant), Kim Kang-hoon (Nam Do-san (young)), Jeon Jun-woo (2STO employee), Jeong Joon-hwan (Hackathon participant), Park Chan-ho (Park Chan-ho)
- E13 Comfort ZoneNov 28, 2020 · 73 min
Synopsis
Dal-mi and In-jae's self-driving car is hit by a ransomware attack. Samsan Tech founders return after a successful three-year stint in San Francisco.
Guest stars: Jang Hae-song (Insurance salesman), Jo Ah-ra (Deputy Manager Jung)
- E14 Elevator SpeechNov 29, 2020 · 81 min
Synopsis
Tasked with recruiting top developers into her company, Dal-mi pitches her idea at Samsan Tech. Do-san gets away to clear his head.
Guest stars: Shin Dong-hoon (Investor), Lim Seung-beom (Investor), Jeon Yeo-jin (Investor), Park Sang-hyeon (Magazine staff), Kim Sung-yeol (Photographer)
- E15 MVP (Minimum Viable Product)Dec 5, 2020 · 78 min
Synopsis
Jung Sa-ha and Lee Chul-san begin dating in secret. A boozy, heartfelt conversation with Do-san helps Ji-pyeong make a decision about Dal-mi.
- E16 Scale UpDec 6, 2020 · 81 min
Synopsis
Do-san and Dal-mi envision new goals for their future. Ji-pyeong finds a way to pay forward his gratitude for Won-deok. In-jae returns to her roots.
Guest stars: Hong Seong-gwan (Start-up guy), Lee Re (Won In-jae (young)), Heo Jung-eun (Seo Dal-mi (young)), Kim Ju-hun (Seo Cheong-myeong), Jo Ah-ra (Deputy Manager Jung)
Cast & crew
Created by Park Hye-ryun
Suzy
Nam Joo-hyuk
Kim Seon-ho
Kang Han-na
Kim Hae-sook
Kim Do-wan
Kim Won-hae
Song Seon-mi
Yoo Su-bin
Seo Yi-sook
Kim Hee-jung
Stephanie LeeVideos
Trailers
Images · 14
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Reviews · from TMDB members
Yohan Yukiya Sese Cuneta 사요한Feb 2, 2021
**_A great watch … worth it!_** _**WARNING**: Contains information others might consider as a spoiler._ **I. Story** _a. Episode stories_: The stories per episode were mostly good. Out of 16 episodes, I like the story of 9 episodes. _b. Series story_: From the title, "Start-Up" (or "Sandbox"), it gives the impression that it is primarily about starting up a business or about joining a, well, sandbox program. However, overarching story is more about [1] a love triang… Read more
le and [2] sibling rivalry. The impression from the series title only takes tertiary importance. It would have been better if the importance was as follows: [1] sibling rivalry; [2] start-up/sandbox/business; and [3] love triangle. Regardless… the way the overarching stories were delivered and the choice of story per episode were enough to pull up the score for this rating. However, avoid introducing important facts and then never mentioning it again. For example, Ji Pyung and the sisters have met when they were kids. It was also weird that a bloodied person can pitch his company, that does not happen in real life. **II. Acting** Acting! This is where I had to give a low rating. There were too many crying scenes where the facial expression was neutral. It was obvious they were only "acting" instead of actually feeling and letting their emotions out. I'm a fan of Suzy but I have to mention this: relax more during kissing scenes, make us feel it, and it doesn't need to be "wild". The kissing scenes can still be romantic even if there wasn't too much lip action. A room for improvement. I love her acting and the way she brings life to the characters she plays but the kissing scenes needs improvement. Relax, take it slow, don't make it wild -- rather make it romantic. Don't act, imagine he's your boyfriend or some secret desire. You want to enjoy the moment, to just let him feel your desire. As for Joo Hyuk, great job in portraying what appears to be an eccentric, possibly even an autistic, character. It is never easy if an actor is not in the autism spectrum--in particular asperger syndrome. Very geeky, logical, all about facts, and clueless about everything else, especially fashion and social skills. Those scenes where Dal Mi was sending signals and Do San missed it all--those were all great. Sometimes annoying but all of it were relatable. Neutral face, going back to the discussion he was focused on, definitely a character with aspergers syndrome. Well done there. For Han Na, excellent job in keeping the character mysterious. It was not easy when the character In Jae had a change of heart, especially when it comes to her sister. There were clues but the next moment it's the total opposite. This happens in real life and so it's great to see it on screen. **III. Music** This one is hard. I can not remember any memorable music other than the theme songs. **IV. Rewatch Value** Definitely in my list of series that I'll choose to re=watch. **V. Summary** Overall, the production, story, and acting were awesome. The inclusion of business terminologies and explaining each, that was a very good idea. Explaining the processes, the whys and the hows, definitely a plus. It would have been better if they toned down the "young adult" giggles because that very rarely happens in-real-life. They should've used sandbox and showed the idea behind it and what's happening in it more as well, instead of just providing a free office and free funding. The "revolutionary" ideas were well thought out especially the app helping those with vision challenges. I do hope such an app exists but we haven't achieved that speed of AI recognition still something to look forward to. Great choices on scenes and I wish they added more, like a team building session where they could feature the beauty of Korea instead of the exact same office. From a dramatic episode 1 and funny episodes later, to the building up of the trials and tribulations, to the eventually resolution in the latter episodes. it was enough to pull up the overall rating to 9 out of 10 stars.