Kimsamsoom

Yes! I'm tired of the ML knowing everything. At least this ML loves to google :)))

ISW isn't trying to be cool here. His character is a combination of simple and complex, shrouded in a mask that doesn't let emotion seep out too easily.

part of it's charm :)

ISW and SSK acting and chemistry is just straight fire!

Not sure, but this should be promoted more, it's really good so far.

So far all the actors have been doing a stellar job. Shoutout to ISW and SSK thought for that dinner scene, it was so warm and sweet.

The SML in this one hasn't really been shown much, what do you mean? Or are you talking about the SFL?

Yes, Ep. 2 really puts everything in perspective :)))

Just sucks this isn't on Netflix.

Normally a love triangle in Kdrama land sees both the ML and SML get a proportionate time with the FL. What this means is that they more or less have equal chances to show the FL why they should be the one for her. It's not like equal down the line, but it's at the very least 60/40 with favor towards the ML.

In start up, it's not the case. The minute SDM and NDS joins the same company, quality time between the ML and SML, becomes more of a 85/15 split. With HJP getting only 15% of the possible time to bond with the FL (let's be honest the 3 year time skip doesn't count).

So I find it interesting, normally when the FL only sees the SML like 15% of the time, why is there such strong SLS? It's because those 15%, or crumbs like I want to call them, is the writer, eking out the maximum return from those 15%. From the dialogue, the stares, the camera angles, plot device, and etc... all showing fans that a Jidal ending is possible. And they keep doing this strategy up until near the end of the show. Why the writer/director did this? Who knows...

A man, falling for a woman just because another guy suddenly shows interest is a very common plot device used by Kdrama writers over and over again. And usually this is reserved for the ML of the show. I just literally saw it in Waikiki 2, and I can name probably a few more that does this for the ML and FL couple. Of course as audience we groan at the reasoning of the ML, since this trope is so archaic already, and yet Kdrama writers continually write like this.

Yes, a bromance between NDS, and HJP being part of SDM family would have been the better route to go. But I guess the writer thought this would be too cliché? So she ended up making a romance that is even more cliché. I don't understand the logic of the writer at all.

To be honest, after the Ep. 7 kiss, it would have taken some really clever writing to see HJP and SDM together, which the writer didn't bother doing. After Ep. 7, it became very predictable where SDM and NDS storyline would go. It has always been HJP who had the unpredictable ending. Even WIJ, you knew she was going back to her family eventually. I was definitely one of the HJP fans who didn't want SDM for HJP, as I feel she was too immature for HJP. I just wanted HJP to have a decent happy ending. I even wanted him to fly away from Korea, live somewhere else, rather than being forced to further Sandbox NDS and SDM new company literally days after SDM broke his heart.

I think, if you want to see NDS potential, I implore you watch Run On, Episode 2. I am just discovering ISW here, and he is brilliant. He portrays the quirky weird guy to perfection. He is what NDS could have been. He has all the passion NDS is showing in Start Up, but he combines it seamlessly with his quirky charms. And the best part, his lack of micro expression I believe is a conscious decision to sell the quirkiness of his character even more.

NDS, after he cuts his hair to go to the dance, just lose all his nerdy charm, and became you typical angsty ML. Something that disappointed fans of the show.

If you don't normally get SLS, then I think you'll be fine.

I think if you accept that in Kdrama the ML and FL almost always end up together, then the remaining episodes will be manageable, maybe even enjoyable. But yes, there are some stuff in the later episodes that will make you go "huh?!?".

Posters coming here to claim this section is toxic is nothing new. Even during the live airing, every few days or so, there would be someone new blasting the comment section and HJP fans, even though most of the personal attacks were coming from NDS fans in the first place, a lot of them I have already put on my blocked list.

HJP fans in this community may stand united, but we never discourage people not to watch the show, nor do we shame/belittle people who enjoyed it. If anything, we choose to debate and argue our side, hoping for some strong repartee, as you yourself have done, from the other side.

Comments like the following:

1. You guys need to move on.
2. Can't believe you are writing such long post.
3. This is the worst and most toxic comment section on MDL.
4. I can't believe the low ratings is because of the HJP ship not sailing.
5. The drama is over, why are you still here.
6. Ignore the negative reviews.
7. The whole comment section looks like a bunch of 9yr olds fighting

These types of comment serve zero purpose. All they do is attempt to shame the people who are peacefully just literally enjoying each other's company in the comment section.

I'm not going to pretend there isn't an imbalance in the amount of support for HJP compared to NDS, but that's the issue of the show and the writer more than anything. It's not like 90% of the fans here are KSH fans. Most of us only found out about him from Start Up, and just like kismet, we found ourselves gravitating towards his character of HJP, and that shared elation most people found when meeting kindred spirits is an unexplainable phenomenon that has caused this comment section to be as active as it has been. That silent, shared and simple bond between HJP fans.

Even without the HJP bias, Start Up, as a literary work is far from a masterpiece. There is too much character inconsistency, plot holes, and force fed clichés to see this on most people top 10's.

I've rarely seen group think stop people from middling past the river of the majority. And, you yourself have seen HJP fans encourage fans to watch the show regardless of the negative views. We do give PSA's saying that if your getting SLS, it won't get better, something that I think you also will admit. I myself have entered into comment sections far more aggressive than this one, and regardless of the majority feelings, still posted what I felt without influence, because I am my own person. Goblin for example, I am just not a fan of it, I can't believe it's rated so high. But I respect people's choice for that one.

That's the thing. You've been here with us from the start, and you've seen how HJP fans handled the sinking ship. People were not personally attacking NDS fans. And for the most part, HJP fans have been mature and respectful for most of the 27,000 comments we have now. So for someone to come in and just throw around the immature and toxic labels so recklessly, has to sting a bit, since they don't know how far this community has gone, or the history of the community.

I've personally been critical of NJH and Suzy's acting. But I do back it up with some facts. And I don't do it often. Out of the 100's of comments i've done, I maybe mention the actors/actress by name a total of 2-3 times maybe? Most of the time, my criticism has been on NDS, SDM, SST, and PHR.

I initially wrote this one full of sexual innuendos, i'm a bit miffed nobody got it that way :(((

I've already submitted my synopsis and it's already been changed to the one I wrote, let me think what you think of it :))

Her dance scene in the trailer with Rain looks so hilarious.

I don't ;)

Mdl ratings are getting less reliable with how quickly the ratings go up and down. Not sure what to trust anymore. Even tkem is back to 8.1

I'm almost done with Waikiki 2, and it's actually quite fun. And i'm looking for my next comedy, and this gem caught my eye.

This looks hilarious, has anyone seen this?

Please Come Back Mister
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1xyH9xspmY

This is like the longest post I've seen from you :)

Well said btw, hehehe!

Like a PSA for new watchers, and a spark notes for old ones.

This was beautifully said :)))

BTW, I need to name of the country with such awesome sayings!

1. Future - I don't understand a thing they are saying, but I love the inflection by the singer. Also the main reason I like this song is how it's a good motivation song, really fits the concept of starting a start up and needing a song like this to motivate you to do better. It has that oomphh factor that makes it loopable on any playlist. My playlist is full of Kdrama OST, and Disney songs :) I also love Disney songs for their uplifting message and melody.

2.Day & Night - When I close my eyes, I still imagine Nam Da Reum, lovingly reading the letters from young SDM. And the father meeting his tragic end. This song, reminds me so much of the sad and amazing Episode 1. I know it's used in other scenes, but I can only associate this ballad with Ep. 1. The scene where we see WIJ and SDM move further apart, as the song reaches it's climatic verse with a sad SDM looking at the bird box and discovering a letter from HJP is there. To see her sadness turn into happiness, just made my heart flutter. And to see young HJP look at the bird box as well as a parallel scene, and although it's notshown, if you slow it down, you'll notice Nam Da Reum's face start moving towards the beginning of a smile. Such a wonderful scene. Some parts of Ep. 1 are legit masterpieces.

3. Running - Another motivational song, Similar to why I like future.
4. Love Letter - Another motivational song, Similar to why I like future.
5. Dream - Feels like a nice uplifting song.

Yeah, it ended earlier than Start Up did, but still lasted too long for me.

But Ep, 19-22 was so sweet, and it made up for ML's toxicity earlier on.