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Thanks for this comment! I'll take your 'fanfic' version as the real ending if the real one results in a complete mess; not because I'm #teamjipyeong but because this ending makes sense! This would work also if she decides to end up alone too; since the focus of the drama could be just the startup/ follow your dreams aspect and family and friendship/teamwork; and not giving up your ethics or even humanity, in order to succeed.

So true!!! It's sad though (and it might be depressing by the end of the drama) but even if they tried to tricked us (like in reply series by giving us some hope), we all knew this ship was destined to sink anytime. Still, I'm really glad and thankful, actually, that at least the writers were very clear about her feelings in this episode, so the ending won't be that disappointing for us #teamjipyeong since we are now prepared to accept the ending... anyways, I just want to see Ji Pyeong happy in the final episode; whether alone or with someone else. The actions and personality of his character have been really misunderstood by the other characters (and some viewers too) so I really hope the next episodes will show us some development to justify his real intentions (I trust he'll improve his social skills and become more empathetic and gentle when telling prople the truth).

Same! I started this drama thinking it would have just a normal love triangle; you know, those in which you're sure who's gonna get the girl in the end and the main lead is just so awesome that you can't root for the second lead even if he's a good guy too...but boy I was wrong! This complicated triangle reminded me of the ones in reply and I'm already bracing myself for having my second worst second lead syndrome ever and feeling really disappointed; maybe a little depressed too xD ... btw, speaking of Reply series, trust me, those dramas are amazing and worth it! Especially 1997 and 1988 because they don't focus solely on the main couple and the love triangles. Actually reply is an amazing series because of its human and relatable aspects. But if you're rooting for the 'wrong guy' that could be emotionally exhausting! That's why I can't rewatch reply 1994 (someday I will) because I loved the amazing second lead so much that even if deep inside I knew there was kinda obvious he wasn't the 'winner' I couldn't avoid feeling disappointed and sad for him. In the case of reply 1988, I loved the main lead but couldn't help feeling depressed for the second lead (actually it wasn't very clear who was the main lead until the last episodes); so let's say I rooted for the two guys lol.
Well I just hope in the case of Start up, if Ji Pyeong doesn't get the girl, I trust the writers will convince us that he's happy; that there's enough time to see him moving on (whether single or with another love interest). I just ask to see him genuinely happy!!!

Yes! I also noticed some of this posible clues the writer could be giving us; especially the one about the birdhouse and the soup she cooked for him (and I'm actually keeping a little hope for that reason); but I kinda prefer to ignore them xD After reply 1994s traumatic ending (for me; worst second lead syndrome ever; still can't rewatch the drama) and also seeing what happened in 1988, I promised myself to not completely believe in any clue in order to avoid disappointments lol XD...but, wow I loved your comment and how I wish you're totally right about it!

Well that's not necessarily a rule. For example (and I apologize in advance for the spoilers) in King of Baking, Tak Gu was the main lead ( I mean the drama was about his life) and didn't end up with the girl. Also in Shinee Minho's drama: Because It's My First Love; same situation.
But sadly, it's almost obvious this one of Start up, will go the 'boring way', as the main comment said. It reminds me of Reply 1994 (still can't rewatch that drama :/ )

Oh how I wish I was positive and strong enough to avoid suffering from second lead syndrome yet again...but here I am, on my way to suffer my second biggest SLS ever since Reply 1994 xD (I still can't rewatch that drama). I really like this drama but I'm afraid the ending will make me so bitter. JP deserves better, he's truly the best guy in every aspect! But sadly he will lose to a former immature dishonest coward kid, who's only trying to change and become a real man now in his late 20s, because he's experiencing first love and doesn't wanna lose her...I know life can be really unfair (even in kdramaworld lol xD), but I just can't accept this! :/

Well, the ending (or the last minutes especifically) felt definitely rushed and kinda messy. I can't even understand if it was an open ending for their relationship: if they would stay friends for a while and then start their relationship from zero (the clue about why she's still wearing the "comfy shoes" he gave her, wasn't clear enough); or if they will stay as good friends now that they are more mature. Anyways, I can't say I disliked the ending or the drama in general, like most of the comments here; for the main reason that Bo Gum's acting was brilliant, and I felt really indentified with the family aspect and struggles of 'growing up' and entering the 30s. Besides, although the execution of the plot wasn't the best at all, I think it kinda gave us an idea of the many struggles that actors/idols have while trying to achieve their career dreams and at the same time, dealing with their personal lives and the negative aspects of fame (like ugly rumors or hateful comments that sometimes lead them to deep depression and worst things :( ). And how the support of their family, close friends and loyal fans can help them stand all of this.
People wonder why Bo Gum chose a weak drama with a bad plot as his farewell drama, but I don't; I kinda understand why. I think this was his way of showing his fans part of the life behind the scenes of actors/idols and how the support of their fans makes a huge impact for them. Maybe he wanted to show that they're still humans who live
hard lives off cameras, like anyone of us. And this drama gave him the opportunity to show this. That's why despite the weak or messy writing, he worked so hard to deliver a character that would feel so real to us.
I think I appreciate him more as an actor now, after this drama! He did a great job in my opinion! The way in which his character achieved his dreams reminded me of an inspiring saying by Seneca: "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity".

I completely agree! This doesn't happen a lot but for some dramas, for plot's sake, it's better for the main leads to be just friends. There's zero progression in their romantic relationship, and they're still awkward and not confident around each other (I mean, they still call each other Song ah-ssi and Joo young-ssi *face palm*). It's clear that they rushed things, and they were not ready for a new relationship (especially Joon young). Besides, they also have a lot of personal things (family and career issues) they really.need to sort out first .
In this case, I wouldn't mind if they leave it as an open ending, actually.

Wow! I was getting "Shopping King Louie" vibes from this drama too and wondered if possibly, it had the same writer... and it does xD

Same opinion (so far)!

Oh good to know that, thanks for the info!. Since it was an OCN drama, I had to ask xD

Oh I see :O Thanks for replying!

Yes, he's versatile because he can play mature roles so well (like in Romantic Doctor) that I even thought he was older than his real age. I remember I first saw him in another musical drama called: Perseverance Goo Hae Ra;
he played the role of an idol there and I was impressed by his musical talent and rapping skills :O.

Is this very creepy or just ghost normal type, like for example, hotel delluna?

Same!!! Oh, I'm unexpectedly loving this drama and their cute interactions (and his cute little smiles at her too :3 haha). They make this new budding "friendship" look so real and natural! :)

Agreed! Very nice thriller, great acting and all (despite its plot was kinda predictable sometimes), but the ending wasn't that great as I expected. I didn't like that it felt confusing or too rushed, I don't know. They never really showed what happened, and failed to explain better the parallel worlds/parallel timelines theory used in the drama.

Agreed! xD hahaha

Hahaha yes, it's a kinda similar plot, only that Steins;gate was better xD (concerning the parallel world/parallel timelines theory, it was better developed and explained). Who knows, maybe the writer is a fan of the anime too and was inspired by it lol

I'm still in awe of the level of great acting of our main cast, especially :O Those scenes with Sang Tae feeding Mun Yeong, and then consoling his little brother were too precious :)
About the "revelation": for some reason I still doubt that the head nurse is the real mother. The hints about her identity became too obvious lately to be true. Besides, as Mun Yeong herself said, she would have recognized her mother even with an extreme plastic surgery; things like the voice and gestures can't change so much to the point that someone really close to the person wouldn't recognize them.
Also, we can't forget the other crazy patient ( the one who brought her the note and then ran away); she also kinda tried to pass off as her mother.
I'm even starting to think all these women are just imitators. It's like they're part of some sort of cult formed by psycho fans of the writer, with the main objective and motivation to force Mun Yeong to publish her mother's final book. XD

My thoughts exactly! For some reason I still doubt that she's the real mother. The hints about her identity became too obvious lately to be true. Besides, as Mun Yeong herself said, she would have recognized her mother even with an extreme plastic surgery; things like the voice and gestures can't change so much to the point that someone really close to the person wouldn't recognize them.
Also, we can't forget the other crazy patient ( the one who brought her the note and then ran away); she also kinda tried to pass off as her mother.
I'm even starting to think all these women are just imitators. It's like they're part of some sort of cult formed by psycho fans of the writer with the main objective and motivation to force Mun Yeong to publish her mother's final book. XD