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Today, we take a quick break from Start-Up, the K Drama we're recapping and analyzing in Season 13 of K Drama Chat, to reflect on the best K Dramas of 2025. We share our top 5 shows, actors, actresses, scenes, and songs of the year—and we hear from YOU, our amazing listeners! We discuss:

• The listener-favorite and TIME Magazine’s top K Drama of 2025: When Life Gives You Tangerines
• Songs we loved in 2025
• The top shows of our listeners. We hear from:
  • MrsDJQ
  • Irma
  • Christine
  • Malcolm
  • Shine
  • Sue
  • Ernabel
• Our personal top 5 shows and honorable mentions
• A special treat: audio clips from listeners sharing their top shows!
• The actresses who blew us away in 2025
• The standout male performances
• The most memorable scenes from K Dramas we watched
• K Dramas we’re looking forward to in 2026
• Korean films from 2025 we recommend watching
• A reminder to join us next week when we return to Start-Up and discuss Episode 7 and Stephanie Lee, the actress who plays Jeong Sa-ha

References

• 60+ K Dramas from the first half of 2025
• TIME Magazine’s Top 10 K Dramas from 2025
• New KOREAN Drama 2025
• KDramas of 2025 (complete, on-going, and upcoming) (156 shows) - MyDramaList
• Day and Night by Jung Seung Hwan
• I Find You by Do Young
• Woojooin by Seo Young Joo
• I’ll Be Your Idol from KPop Demon Hunters

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 6 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 we featured during the recap: Where Is Dream by 10CM, Maybe You Know It by Park Sejun, and Game Room by Park Sejun. We also shared insights into 10CM’s music career and unique vocal style.
• The concept of the “key man,” and how Nam Do-san, as the brilliant coder, is the true key person behind Samsan Tech’s success, not Seo Dal-mi.
• An in-depth conversation about equity and ownership, with Han Ji Pyeong insisting that a CEO must have majority equity to lead effectively — a controversial claim that causes major friction in the team.
• The fallout among the Samsan Tech founders when Chul San and Yong San feel betrayed by Nam Do-san’s proposed equity structure, prompting a near breakup.
• Seo Dal-mi’s growth as a CEO, including how she proposes a new equity split and confronts Jeong Sa Ha with strength and confidence, signaling her rising leadership.
• The tension between being a good person and being an effective CEO, and how Seo Dal-mi learns to make hard decisions without trying to please everyone.
• The emotional weight of keeping the truth about the letters hidden from Seo Dal-mi, especially now that Nam Do-san learns the grandmother is losing her eyesight.
• The deepening love triangle between Seo Dal-mi, Nam Do-san, and Han Ji Pyeong, as seen in the nuanced facial expressions, especially during their scene on the bleachers.
• A sobering look at Won In Jae’s fraught relationship with her stepfather and mother, and how her need to “win” is rooted in betrayal and guilt.
• The dark twist at the end of the episode, where a hooded figure leaves a message about revenge on the Sandbox wall — suggesting deeper intrigue ahead.
• A spotlight on the incredible Kim Hae Sook, who plays the grandmother, Choi Won Deok. We discuss her prolific career, her range as an actress, and her importance to Korean cinema and TV.

References

• Could Malcolm Gladwell's Theory of Cockpit Culture Apply to Asiana Crash?
• Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers and Aircraft Dispatchers
• Thinking Beyond Cultural Legacy: The Case of Korean Air
• Malcolm Gladwell Theory Debunked - Hacker News

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 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: "Running" by Gaho and "Shake Shake."
• The intense and emotional hackathon that tests our characters’ ambition, determination, and self-worth.
• Seo Dal-mi’s rising ambition and her impressive performance as the new CEO of Samsan Tech.
• Nam Do-san’s growing confidence, his romantic development, and his beautiful metaphor involving Tarzan.
• The theme of imposter syndrome and how both Dal-mi and Do-san feel they’re not worthy — but believe in each other.
• The critical role APIs, GPUs, data sets, and artificial neural networks play in tech — and how they’re introduced in the show.
• Han Ji Pyeong’s internal turmoil, guilt, and shift from dismissive investor to personal mentor and backer of Samsan Tech.
• The heartbreaking reveal that Dal-mi didn’t go to college because she wanted to buy a corn dog truck for her grandmother.
• Dal-mi’s smart and humble recruitment of Jeong Sa Ha, a designer with top-tier credentials, by literally going down on her knees.
• The competitive and cold dynamic between the sisters, especially in the brutal bathroom scene.
• The sly arrival of stylish twins to In Jae Company and the challenge they pose to Samsan Tech.
• Alex Kwon’s savvy evaluation of Samsan Tech’s potential, not just performance — and his pivotal vote that secures their place in Sandbox.
• The ethics and motivations behind Han Ji Pyeong’s involvement in the letters, and Seo Dal-mi’s growing suspicions.
• Our reflections on the character of Han Ji Pyeong and whether redemption is possible.
• The amazing career of Kang Han Na, the actress who plays Won In Jae, including her roles in Moon Lovers, Bon Appetit, and her stint as a top DJ for KBS.

References

• Kang Han Na on Wikipedia
• GUI Steakhouse in New York City
• Data.gov, the home of the US Government’s Open Data
• Running by Gaho

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 4 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: “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

• This is Nodeul Island
• Go-Stop - Wikipedia
• Korean Blood Type Personality - Traits & Compatibility

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 3 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: One Day by Kim Feel and Dream a Dream by Park Sejun. Kim Feel’s music is soulful and widely featured in K Drama OSTs.
• Joanna’s trip to Europe, highlights from Nice and Monaco, and her growing confidence speaking French thanks to Duolingo Max.
• The hilarious and emotional interactions between Nam Do-san and Han Ji Pyeong, including reciting the South Korean national anthem to cover a fake business discussion.
• The poetic metaphor of the music box, representing Nam Do-san as someone full of potential and how Seo Dal-mi’s belief in him gives him the courage to grow.
• The layered sibling rivalry and estrangement between Seo Dal-mi and Won In Jae, and the complex emotions tied to their mother.
• An in-depth explanation of startup funding terms like angel investor, pre-series A, series A, mezzanine financing, and term sheets.
• The theme of equity and control in business, illustrated by how Won In Jae is ousted as CEO due to lack of shares, despite holding the title.
• The metaphorical and literal meaning of taking the elevator to the top—used by Seo Dal-mi as a symbol of her ambition.
• Seo Dal-mi’s bold bet that she’ll be more successful than her sister in three years, likening herself to a future Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg.
• Samsan Tech’s win at the CODA competition, their failed video presentation, and the intrigue by the Korean American judge.
• Sandbox as a metaphorical and literal safe space for entrepreneurs, inspired by the “sandbox” described by Dal-mi’s father.
• The motivations behind each character’s application to Sandbox: Seo Dal-mi wants to take the upper floor elevator, Nam Do-san wants to turn a misunderstanding into reality, and Won In Jae wants to shed her image as “chewed-up gum.”
• A profile of actor Kim Seon Ho, including his traumatic childhood experience, strong theater background, rise through Strongest Deliveryman, and breakout role in Start-Up.

References

• What is a sandbox?
• Venture capital terms you need to know

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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

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 1 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 we featured during the recap: “Future” by Red Velvet and “A Small Post Box of Hope” by Park Se-jun.
• The heartbreaking and hopeful relationship between Han Ji-pyeong and Choi Won-deok, who gives him a place to stay and helps launch his future.
• The idea that sometimes, people don’t fall on soft sand—they fall on concrete—and what that means for those who risk everything to start a business.
• The many business concepts introduced in this episode: startups, angel investors, venture capitalists, incubators, and accelerators.
• The heartbreaking story of Seo Dal-mi’s father, who dies just as he achieves the first step in scaling his business.
• The metaphor and origin of the name “Sandbox” and what it means for entrepreneurs.
• The painful separation of sisters Seo Dal-mi and Won In-jae, who make opposite choices after their parents’ divorce.
• How letters from a fictional Nam Do-san helped a lonely Dal-mi through the darkest period of her life.
• Why Han Ji-pyeong’s role in writing those letters may have brought healing to him as much as it did to Dal-mi.
• A powerful early reveal: Han Ji-pyeong is now a wealthy VC who may hold the future of many young entrepreneurs in his hands.
• The moving reunion between Choi Won Deok and Han Ji-pyeong after 15 years.
• The harsh confrontation between Dal-mi and her sister, where In-jae mocks Dal-mi’s struggles and claims she has no regrets about choosing to stay with their mother.
• Dal-mi’s bold lie that she’s in business with Nam Do-san—and the fallout as she must now find him and make the story real.
• The cliffhanger introduction of the real Nam Do-san, who’s quietly working on groundbreaking AI recognition software.
• What we’re watching now, including The Uncanny Counter, Under the Queen’s Umbrella, Typhoon Family, and more!

References

• Wikipedia: Chang Yŏngsil

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Today, we’re doing a special episode on Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Lee Chae Min as King Yi Heon and Im Yoon A as Yeon Ji Yeong. We are joined by the amazing Ernabel Demillo to discuss:

• The featured song during the recap: I Find You by Do Young.
• How Bon Appétit, Your Majesty is a light-hearted, romantic, and food-filled drama inspired by the dark reign of King Yeonsangun.
• The show’s unique blend of historical fiction, time travel, romance, and culinary arts — with food as a central character and storytelling device.
• The story of King Yeonsangun, the real tyrant who inspired the fictional King Yi Heon, and how the drama reimagines his story.
• A comparison to Mr. Queen and why this show, though similar on the surface, is more about food, love, and redemption than gender-bending comedy.
• Im Yoon A and Lee Chae Min’s incredible chemistry, with Lee Chae Min’s breakout performance being especially notable given his short preparation time.
• The standout supporting characters, including Gil Geum, Gong Gil, Kang Mok Ju, and the Chinese chefs — each representing different cultural and culinary dynamics.
• The symbolic power of food in the drama, showing how it connects people, heals trauma, and even saves nations.
• The use of the Mangunrok as the show’s MacGuffin — both a literal time travel portal and a symbolic love letter from the king.
• The drama’s conclusion, including how the king travels to the modern day, and the emotional payoff of their reunion through food.
• A discussion of Michelin-starred restaurants in Asia, the rise of Korean cuisine globally, and personal dining experiences from Ernabel.
• Gong Gil’s deeper role and edited-out storyline — including a potential love triangle that was ultimately minimized.
• The theme of finding your destined love across time, emphasized through the OST lyrics and repeated motifs of reunion and promise.
• What we’re watching now — from Because This Is My First Life to Would You Marry Me and The Uncanny Counter — and a preview of Season 13 of K Drama Chat, where we will recap and analyze Startup.

References

• From The Tatler: The true story about the fictional king in ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’
• From TIME: The Real History Behind the Time Travel K-Drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty
• From Reddit: Summary of the ending of the book “Surviving as Yeonsangun’s Cher”
• Asian American Life website 

and recent episodes

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Today, we have a special episode of K Drama Chat where we’re joined by longtime listener, friend, and screenwriter, Ellen Sullivan. We talk about the art and science of screenwriting and how the best K Dramas follow—or creatively depart from—dramatic structure to deliver compelling, emotional stories. In this episode, we discuss:

• The shows that are heavily spoiled in this episode: Crash Landing On You, Mr. Queen, Mr. Sunshine, When the Phone Rings, and Captivating the King.
• Ellen’s background as a screenwriter and technical writer, and how her passion for K Dramas began with My Mister.
• The Western three-act structure versus the Korean four-act structure (gi-seung-jeon-gyeol), and how each style approaches storytelling and character development.
• Detailed examples of setup, midpoint, and conclusion in Crash Landing On You, Mr. Queen, and Mr. Sunshine.
• What makes these shows work: believable character arcs, clear motivations, strong midpoint turns, and emotional payoffs.
• The redemption arc as a dramatic formula, especially in characters like Gu Seung-jun (CLOY) and Jang Bong-hwan (Mr. Queen).
• Why humor breaks are essential in Korean dramas and how they add richness to character and story.
• Foreshadowing and payoffs (or lack thereof) in When the Phone Rings, and why the “Argan” plot twist derailed the show.
  The pacing and structural missteps in Captivating the King, including over-explaining, weak female lead development, and a lack of trust in the audience.
• The importance of a “MacGuffin” in each drama—a central object or goal everyone is chasing.
• How K Dramas “trust the audience” by skipping mundane scenes and using implication rather than exposition.
• The emotional power of music in K Dramas, especially in Mr. Queen, CLOY, and Mr. Sunshine, and how it enhances tone and viewer engagement.
• Why well-crafted character interaction reveals motivation better than exposition.
• The writing mantra: “Make me care.” How the best dramas engage our emotions without making us think about structure until the end.
• What we’re watching now, including Bon Appetit, Heavenly Ever After, Typhoon Family, Because This is My First Life, Signal, and Will You Marry Me.
• A big reveal: the next K Drama we’ll be recapping in Season 13! You have to listen to find out!

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 16, the finale, of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Eun-bin as Woo Young-woo, Kang Tae-oh as Lee Jun-ho, Ha Yoon-kyung as Choi Soo-yeon, Ju Hyun-young as Dong Geurami, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: Dance with a Best Friend by Roh Young Sim and Beyond My Dreams by Sunwoojunga.
• The Wall Street Journal article that explores the wide spectrum of autism and how the medical community thinks we need better and different diagnoses for the different presentations of autism.
• Woo Young-woo and Choi Sang-hyeon’s similarities, including their autistic traits, intelligence, and love of gimbap and Rubik’s cubes.
• Tae Su-mi’s response to her son’s confession of hacking and how it reflects both ambition and maternal instinct.
• The ethical and legal complexities of the Raon hacking case, including Woo Young-woo’s dilemma between social justice and client interests.
• The pivotal moment where Attorney Jung tells Woo Young-woo, “You’re not an ordinary attorney,” marking her growth and moral clarity.
• Hanbada’s legal strategy to submit the hacker’s confession and differentiate between a data breach and a security breach.
• The class action lawsuit’s dismissal due to lack of actual data disclosure, and Tae Su-mi’s decision to withdraw from her Minister of Justice candidacy.
• The nuanced portrayal of Attorney Jung’s health crisis and his potential path to a life with better balance and renewed love.
• Kwon Min-woo’s redemption arc: quitting his vendetta against Woo Young Woo, re-evaluating his ambition, and trying to live “like a fool.”
• The scene where Woo Young-woo asks Tae Su-mi to let her brother testify—framing it as a moment of maternal reckoning.
• Lee Jun-ho’s heartfelt confession comparing his love to that of a cat owner—unrequired, quirky, patient, and unwavering.
• The beautiful ending that shows Woo Young-woo achieving fulfillment—being hired full-time at Hanbada and sharing a quiet, joyful moment with Lee Jun-ho.
• Commentary on the show's themes of fulfillment, living with values, and caring for your loved ones.
• Final reflections on the series and the growth of Woo Young-woo, Attorney Jung, and Kwon Min Woo.

References

• Soonpoong Clinic - MyDramaList
• A mother and her son share an autism diagnosis. But their worlds couldn’t be more different. 
• Is Autism Genetic? | UCLA Medical School.
• ​​Cyanide poisoning - Wikipedia
• The Hidden Cultural Secrets Behind Korean Surnames and Names