Apostando Alto (2020)

What happened, writer PHR?

This show’s pilot week episodes (1&2) roped me in. 10/10. Beautiful cinematography especially the cherry blossoms.

This show had great potential only to disappoint me in the second half. But the Hackaton /Demo Day narratives were enjoyable. But this is the show’s fatal flaw: it milked too much on the romance subplot.

I have issues with the character development of NDS and SDM: weak and inconsistent. Nam Do-san has too many red flags esp. his violent tendencies and stalking. He also cries a lot esp. on the second half, which I find unnecessary and an overkill. He was likeable to me on the first few episodes but I totally got turned off when he punched his mentor (which doesn’t make sense to me) then begs for help. He smashes a CEO’s nameplate, almost went to jail but HJP’s advice to SDM to record the meeting got him out of the woods. But I never got to see how NDS took responsibility for his mistakes; even in a simple way like thanking or apologizing to people. He’s full of angst and arrogance more evidently on the second half. He never suffered any consequences for such actions like when he recklessly signed the Acqhire with 2STO, he got rich and became a hotshot in return? How come punishment doesn’t get back to bite him through consequence?

NDS is lucky because he’s got a plot armor working for his advantage. SDM was too hard to read on the second half. Narrative is almost quiet to her POV after the truth about the letters was revealed. But I can never forgive the writer for the emotional injustice and cruelty she brought to Han Ji Pyeong’s character. The show presented him too well with a strong backstory, only to throw him off in the second half. He was overused but nothing really worked for him despite his efforts. Won In Jae was a letdown, underutilized character.

The letters, as a literary tool, was not given a proper send-off. They should’ve at least respected the sincerity, comfort and warmth that went with the letters. HJP and SDM wrote quite a lot but there was never an instance they talked about it at least and gave a proper closure. I also strongly feel that SDM should end up with HJP; if only HJP was given a plot armor for an even fight.

I also have a problem with how underutilized Won In jae’s character. She has so much potential. I’d love more side stories on how she’s winging it as a Lady Boss.

The male and female lead’s love story is too hard to root for. I can never support what the writer is shoving down my throat. A “true love” that is too forced and lacking in chemistry is what I got. In my two decades of KDrama experience, this is the first time I didn’t like the leads coming together. Really, I didn’t find their romance fluttering. No amount of kissing scenes and skinship between the NDS and SDM has convinced me. Too hard-sell romance.

I also find the morals in question: sailing off without a map vs wisdom that comes from experience. As an older audience, you really can’t sail off without a map in real life when lives depend on you. There’s a thing in life called calculated risk.

If you want to watch this, go and just watch the Start-up (business) dynamics or end at EP7. Or if you are curious of the excellent fleshing out of roles of Kim Hae Sook and Kim Seon Ho. A+ for their chemistry. Solid acting from both actors who played grandma and HJP.

The show’s greatest and heartwarming scenes are from grandma and HJP. I am always in tears watching them together. It is very raw, sometimes funny, yet sincere. Get some Kleenex ready. I always look forward to their set.

Character development dark horse hands down is Kim Yong-san of Samsan Tech —low key but flawless. Nothing forceful. But I find his mini-revenge plot unnecessary.

I liked the supporting characters: Sa-ha & Chul-san, and HJP’s hoobae Park Dong Chun.

I barely have time to make a review, so take my word on this. Watching this is like watching your car crash and burn in slo-mo especially the second half. This drama gave me pain and frustration over wasted potential because the foundation was done right but for some reasons, the plot did not make sense towards the end. I will never watch this a second time.

The 7/10 score I gave for its story is all for the first half of the show that is interesting and beautifully made. Rewatch value — I have no reason to see it a second time in full unless I missed Halmeoni and Good Boy (but I’ll go straight to their scenes only). So the 2/10 score is for them.

I place great importance on rewatch value since I also like watching a lot of American series and movies, and I still repeat some feel-good ones like ‘13 Going On 30, ‘ ‘Legally Blonde’, Never Been Kissed.’

Even funny ones like ‘Home Alone’, tearjerkers like ‘Me Before You’, or ‘If Only’, or long series like, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, or ‘Starwars’, I can rewatch anytime despite knowing the plot like the back of my hand.

Start-up is definitely not a 1 or a 10. So a piece of advice, read those who reviewed rating this with 6-8 because they make sense.

Leia Mais

Hate the story process it was really good till ep 7 after that i was annoyed by DO-SAN and his two San friends .


i'm not a fan of anyone in this Drama . just my feeling on this drama is getting worst by the selfish and lies of the characters . if you ask me ML love process should be better if D0-san character is not too much selfish . overall im giving ok rating only for Second leads.

acting is good by all character but i don't like the way ML is shown and his character development .
every time when Dal Min and Do San act as couple it reminds me Do-San's Fathers words "Which girl will marry you!!" because of that reason this Do-San character used Ji Pyung on all EP . finally Ji Pyung is the sucker .

Leia Mais

Felt forced

Unfortunately I gave up on this drama. I was hooked at the beginning and enjoyed the characters, but the romantic angle turned me off. The love story between FL and ML felt forced and seemed (at least to me) done just because they happened to be the lead stars, which is unfortunate as this decision felt like a disservice to the characters they play. It was very obvious that FL should have ended up with SML. I felt manipulated and the flow of the story felt insincere and not genuine. It seemed the writers are forcing me to just accept their decisions which to be honest didn't make any sense.

Leia Mais

Enjoyed it but could have been better

I enjoyed watching Start-Up overall but I do have some issues with it.
First of, great cast and acting. The show had a strong start and it had me hooked from the first episode. However, they had amazing characters but never really used them or pushed them in the background.

*SPOILERS*

My main issue:
The main storyline is Dal-mi and her first love, being Han Ji Pyeong, It frustrates me that she never really talked to him about the letters. There was a very short scene but after she had already chosen Nam Do San. They should have done much more with Han Ji Pyeong's character, instead of pushing him into the background.

Han Ji Pyeong would have made more sense for Dal Mi but they hardly interacted at all, besides their mentor-trainee relationship. Almost all the romance-screen time went to Nam Do San, even though Dal Mi could never state what she liked about him. Big hands aside...

In Jae is another character that should have received much more screen time. Now she just served as a reason for Dal Mi to find her lettter-pal, and afterwards In Jae is a 'savior' by hiring her younger sister.

Leia Mais

The Biggest Disappoinment

I have been watching Kdrama for almost 16 years, so when I randomly choose to watch episode one, this drama literally give me chills. I had to call my friends and urge her to watch it so we can have a gossip session after every episode. It has so much potential in the beginning but it felt short.

I will only add one thing that bothers me the most from this drama which make this drama turn into 100 to 0 really quick.

It was the scene when the FL and ML sign the contract without even reading it, being a lawyer myself, I can't even understand what is the reason behind the writer to write such scene? Was it to fool the audience? Why? and it give me a headache because FL and ML fans keep saying that it's okay, it's not a huge mistake bla bla bla.
See? It give all the wrong message to the audience.
In real life, you can not tolerate this kind of stupidity.

As for the score, I still gave this 7 out of 10 because of the beautiful cinematography, Good Boy x Halmeoni story, and woman empowerment from Injae.

Last, as I have been watching KSH since his debut, I'm glad he give so much live to HJP and I believe it will become a steeping stone for his future works.

Leia Mais

Episode 1 - 10 review

So when I watched the trailer I was thrilled and excited.
Even watching episode 1.. the acting and the story developed and was great. Seeing the characters emotions but as you get to episode 10.. I kind of thought that Han ji-peong should be with seo dal-mi. He helped her a long the way and tried comforting her with explanation. After that scene... I looked at seo dal-mi and nam do-san.. I didn't see the bond anymore.
Now I could see why people stan Han Ji-peong and Seo Dal-mi together 'cause I can see the emotional bond in their eyes, but when I see Seo Dal-mi and Nam Do-san.. All I see is crying, crying, teamwork and then romance. I don't see their bond no matter how much the producer and director wants us to see.
If I was Seo Dal-mi, yes I would cry in disbelief but I would see why Han Ji-peong did it, but instead in the drama she goes to Nam Do-san for comfort...
I could see Nam Do-san and Seo Dal-mi's bond slowly dissipating...
I'll write an update once I complete the drama
(please message/DM or reply to me if you have any disagreements and agreements thank you)
As well please know this is my opinion :>

Leia Mais

For lifetime selflessness

I enjoyed start up with an outstanding opening which is like a fairy tale. Week by week I fell for it specially for Han Ji Pyong. Suzy and Kim seon ho chemistry is amazing and Nam Joo Hyuk is portraying a difficult character. The story is predictable from the beginning but the actors acting skills are so pleasing. There are plot holes and hurtful points, but finale last few minutes I was all okay with the charisma of the characters. Recently I never experienced this kind of drama and I invite all to watch it. Remember if you fall for the good boy, never regret. Because the journey is beautiful. I wish all write reviews here would spread positivity. Thank you

Leia Mais

Start-Up (2020)

Start-Up came flying out the gate. Vibrant, modern, and visually appealing. You can see the solid starting foundation for which the story will be built upon and it even showcases the delicacy needed to tug at the proverbial heartstrings. The characters were endearing, lighthearted yet at times raw and emotional.

So where did it all go wrong?

- The writers produced a secondary male lead that seemingly overpowered the primary one and had to find their ways around it
- Lack of/insufficient character growth despite how far the core group of characters had actually canonically come
- Casually brushing off and/or not fully fleshing out certain storylines
- Leaning, more than it needed to, into the romance aspects and that messy love triangle
- Using a time-skip plot device that nobody asked for, that satisfied even less

Don't get me wrong. The show was still an absolute joy to watch. But there was so much potential left on the table. You were asked to invest your time and emotion into the story. Asked to believe in and support the characters. But then they pulled the rug up under you.

That's not very becoming of a start-up.

Leia Mais

BEST BUSINESS MOVIE THERE IS !

i really loved this drama !! loved everything, its plot, the cast, the humour and the romance. It was more of the the Ups and Downs of a start up business and achievements than the romance in my opinion and there wasnt any loose ends. I wont ever get tried of watching this drama again and again !! You would probably get a Second Lead Syndrome from this drama and it might even hurt :( but the interaction were really good with all the character !I really love where the ML are really smart and witty and the FL are really enthusiastic and confident ! Suzy bae and Nam jun hyuk really pulled off their characters very well ! Iwould like to recommend this drama of ur into motivational drama or love a bit of office romance.

Leia Mais

An inspiring story of young entrepreneurs.

This is the first time I have written a review but I saw such unfair comments that I felt I had to raise my voice.
It is a story about young people who bet on the future and follow their dreams.
There is a love triangle but due to the good acting and the adorableness of the characters you don't know who to stay with. Or who do you want Dalmi to stay with?
Dalmi is an optimistic and risky girl who fights to fulfill her dreams with courage and creativity
Dosan is super smart and a bit clumsy which makes him adorable and genuine.
Ji Pyeong is a character whose apparent toughness actually hides a being in need of affection.
It is impossible not to want both.
All three have their shortcomings for which they need the support of others.

The trio of friends from SanSam Tech made me get more than a laugh.
I cried several times with the suffering of Dosan and Jipyeong and wanted to hug them many times.

I found the story entertaining with a positive, inspiring and hopeful message, with a literal rainbow of colors ending.

It is a drama that I would recommend watching to everyone. Don't be fooled by haters.

It is to enjoy and have a good time.

Leia Mais