Comment on this episode by going to KDramaChat.com

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Kang Han-na as Won In-jae, and Kim Hae-sook as Choi Won-deok. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: “Day and Night” by Jung Seung Hwan and “Start-Up” by Kim Dong Hyeok.
• The parallels between this episode and Cyrano de Bergerac, with a mysterious letter-writer and mistaken identity.
• The warmth and complexity of the relationship between Choi Won-deok and Han Ji-pyeong, and how their past connects them to Dal-mi’s present.
• Seo Dal-mi’s struggle to prove her life choices were valid, especially when compared to her sister’s seemingly perfect life.
• Dal-mi’s determination to attend the networking event and show off a successful partner, despite the nonexistence of Nam Do-san as she imagines him.
• The brutal and unfair treatment Dal-mi receives at her job, and how her lack of a college degree limits her opportunities.
• The curated social media life of Won In-jae, which masks a dysfunctional and lonely reality.
• The complicated dynamics between Dal-mi, In-jae, and their estranged mother, especially the painful lack of contact over the years.
• The reveal that Han Ji-pyeong has been receiving business plans from the real Nam Do-san, who’s been living in obscurity with his quirky tech partners.
• Nam Do-san’s surprising and bold move to ask for a spot in Sandbox instead of money, showing a steely ambition behind his awkward exterior.
• The moment Nam Do-san reads the heartfelt letters from Dal-mi, realizing how much he unknowingly meant to her during a difficult time.
• Choi Won-deok’s panic as she realizes Dal-mi might meet the real Nam Do-san, threatening to unravel their entire ruse.
• The transformation of Nam Do-san from a rumpled, unknown developer into the stylish man who shows up at the networking event.
• The emotional significance of the unopened music box, and how it symbolizes Dal-mi’s feelings for Nam Do-san.
• The episode ends with Samsan Tech posting the highest score in an AI competition and being selected by CODA, just as Nam Do-san steps into Dal-mi’s life.

References

• TIME: Marriages tick up in Asian, but long-term demographic challenges persist
• Chan Ho Park - Wikipedia
• Cosmos (plant) - Wikipedia