For a moment, I felt Habaek fused with Do-san to be the knight-in-keyboard-armor in episode 13 of Start-Up.
Three years after Team Samsan Tech disbanded, the roads they took ultimately led them to where their dreams all started.
abbyinhallyuland watches Start-Up on Netflix
Start-Up Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | Mid-Series | 9 & 10 | 11 & 12 | 13 | 14 -16 + Review |
Start-Up Episode 13 Key Points
“By any chance, are we playing Elsa and Anna?”
Impressed by her younger sister’s grit and answers, In-jae hired Dal-mi in her company after citing the company’s vision is aligned to what she wants to achieve.
Dal-mi shared how their father once told her that changes to improve the way of living is where the world should always head.
In the next three years, Dal-mi worked together with her sister and eventually established her own company as a CEO. Meanwhile, Ji-pyeong becomes a director of SH Ventures.
Tapping the legendary company profile creator aka Do-san’s cool and creative cousin Cheon-ho, Dal-mi forces her sister to the Frozen themed company promotional video meant to launch Dal-mi’s start-up. Definitely a fitting concept for the two sisters.
“She’s actually doing that. At her sister’s company. Her enemy”
In California, Samsan Tech geeks are doing great; enjoying premium grade wine, vlogging while on a sailing spree given by 2STO. NoonGil has been expanding to other features while being backed up by its new prominent financer.
Chul-san and Yong-san watch and chat about Dal-mi’s new venture. All the while, Do-san pretends nonchalant about it.
Likewise, Dal-mi pretends disinterested in checking out Chul-san’s vlog when Cheon-ho mentioned it and how Do-san sometimes show up there. But in their quiet moments, the two watch each other’s video.
Sa-ha also virtually connects with her former team by following Chul-san’s vlog.
“She likes men with big hands.”
Realizing his right hand is chatting about the girl special to him, Ji-pyeong learns a tip of how Dal-mi likes men with big hands.
Sensing his presence is needed to shield Dal-mi, he sneaks in to ward off Dong-chun’s friend earning him a smile for Dal-mi.
Using the plucky insurance guy to check if his hand size qualifies Dal-mi’s taste, Ji-pyeong beams as he confirms his hands would pass her preference.
Dal-mi invites him to help out with the Chuseok food preparation with a leverage of how he has been coming over during holidays. Hence, he should help out a bit to keep his spot going.
“I want to be the person that comes to your mind when life gets tough.”
Ji-pyeong goes to his favorite grandma’s house to help out in the food preparation for Thanksgiving. Faintly dozing while holding on a food, Dal-mi covers a blanket just as her grandma checks if her “good boy” is asleep.
Her loud check wakes Ji-pyeong’s shallow nap so Dal-mi drags her to the dining room so as not to disturb Ji-pyeong.
Later, Dal-mi finds him finishing what he slept on. They chat about Grandma’s sleepy mood since parting with her corn dog food truck.
Thinking she should open a storw again, Ji-pyeong offers to do that. He also tells her that he hopes to be someone she thinks of when she has problems.
When she responds that she does, he tells her that he means it to be the first person she relies on.
“A good ball is coming your way, hit it with all your might.”
Checking on his fortune, Ji-pyeong was suddenly hit with a realization when he heard Young-sil speaks about his being a faint-hearted batter. Surprised at Young-sil’s profound words, he praises it concluding he might have gone to an update.
“Afraid of being called out, you are unable to even swing your bat. But if you continue to hesitate, you will lose. You could be called out, but you also may hit a home run.”
Baffled at how Young-sil seems to know what he feels, it further urges him to go all the way. Telling him of his two options of either failing or winning, he encouraged him to step up his game. Right there and then, Ji-pyeong decides that he wants to score a homerun.
Standing in front of a jewelry store, Ji-pyeong looks resolute while up in the air, Do-san also prepares for his return to Dal-mi’s life.
“I’m earnestly asking you not to make a mistake.”
San brothers discuss the email offer of 2STO and dreams big of what they can achieve being receiving such benefits.
In-jae gives Dal-mi a firm reminder of polishing Tarzan because the cost is too high to commit a mistake.
Announcing their nostalgic visit to where Samsan Tech began, Chul-san and Yong-san go live to update the vlog followers.
Holding the jewelry he just bought for Dal-mi, Ji-pyeong weighs down on possible scenarios to give it without appearing smug or cheesy.
His indecisiveness was thankfully dismissed by his thoughts of Young-sil’s advice. But just as he goes to look for Dal-mi, he bumps on suave looking Do-san wandering at Sand Box’s lobby.
Catching up the two praise each other as Do-san notices the box he was holding. Staking his intention, he tells Do-san that he got the gift for Dal-mi to thank her for all she has done to him.
Do-san walks to the wall of dreams and looks back on his memories with Dal-mi and where he stands right now.
“It was nice. That’s why it is boring.”
After getting their fill of the barbecue they used to dream about only, Young-san and Chul-san call it a day. They surprisingly bump with Sa-ha and discuss the odd possibilities of them meeting. Agreeing to drive Sa-ha home since she drank, Christmas came early for Chul-san when Sa-ha offered to be her English tutor.
Their conversation gets interrupted by Dal-mi’s call to Sa-ha explaining her stressful situation. A shady ransomware attack almost caused huge money to the sister’s business if not for Samsan geeks quick rescue. It also led to an instant reunion of Team Samsan Tech.
Feeling the pressure, Dal-mi was about to call Ji-pyeong, but her phone rang with Do-san on the line. Manning up to help with her woe he learned from Sa-ha, he headed to reverse the cryptic ransomware planted in the system.
However, another issue arises. With Tarzan’s license about to be secured, the software developer twins refuse to cooperate. That leaves another problem to be solved by the sisters.
Savoring a mouthful of street food, Samsan brothers chat about the offer they have not responded yet. Disregarding their big dream, the three decide to stay in Korea and not renew their contracts.
“Let’s Talk.”
Belatedly learning about Dal-mi’s overnight problematic situation, Ji-pyeong checks on her and learns of her reunion with them.
Keen to give a shot with Dal-mi again, Do-san goes back to the office with the excuse of retrieving his jacket. But, he meets Ji-pyeong who pushes him back inside demanding they should talk.
Start-Up Episodes 13 Musings
I will only blame Young-sil for pushing virtual encouragement to Ji-pyeong. Because we all know of his inevitable heartbreak. Not that we can blame him for being indecisive. His instinct always favor what he feels and thinks better for Dal-mi.
Coupled with his pride of being aware that he does not weigh as heavy as Do-san in Dal-mi’s heart, we accept the rolling dilemma he went through for three years.
Since the early onset, I have resigned to the idea that he should just work on his love story with Grandma Choi since the love line is distinctly imagined for Dal-mi and Do-san.
Right now, I am actually more invested on Chul-san and Sa-ha’s blossoming relationship. Just as I wonder if the writer will picture In-jae as a workaholic all series long.
Initially, I thought that she will be paired up with Ji-pyeong to be honest. Not a bad idea if you ask me, since both of them having strong personalities, would be a feast to watch, especially on who will back down because of love.
But based on the ending scene of this episode, we see a full blown love triangle coming up. Since, I will go straight to the next episode, I won’t make a comment yet.
Start-Up has been doting and vengeful to Do-san’s character. While the writing gives him plenty of opportunities to nurture his love for Dal-mi, it also restricts him of being fully happy. Ironic yet sensible at the same time, because his love was initially built with lies.
It’s about time to fuse the romance and dreams in the series or pick where the narrative really wants to go. Will Do-san and Dal-mi meet somewhere in between their dreams and what their hearts truly feel?
Photos: tvN
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