Unnecessary Lies but Good Start-Up Dynamics
Start-Up is a story that, while having its poignant and moving moments regarding the family's past and an engaging present that draws you into the world of entrepreneurship and the characters' success, also has its weaknesses and inconsistencies when it comes to the love triangle and the letters.
The Family Conflict
The backstory was moving and tragic. Characters like the father are heartbreaking; you can tell that striving to be a good man costs him everything, yet the world gives him no breaks. I can't judge the mother and sister's decision too harshly since some people get their hands tied in a crisis while others simply take the easy way out.
However, it was incredibly frustrating when the mother returned years later with her tail between her legs the moment she faced a hardship. Even though the drama tries to make us feel compassionate, I found her to be completely shameless. On the other hand, seeing the protagonist’s present was hopeful; her resolve as an adult made me genuinely want her to succeed, and I truly valued that she and her sister eventually made peace.
The World of Start-Ups
Although I'm not a fan of business-related themes, I admit I enjoyed the dynamic at Sandbox. The projects, the presentations, and the rivalry with her sister kept my interest. It was interesting to see the process of building a company from the ground up.
The Letters and The Love Triangle
This is where the story lost its strength for me:
The Letters: I was curious about how this would unfold, but the lie ended up feeling completely unnecessary. She was a rational adult who should have been told the truth from the beginning; it's not like her world would have crumbled. The effort put into protecting that lie was questionable, and both men acted in ways they shouldn't have.
The Romance: Given the situation with the letters, I didn't have high hopes for the romance since its foundation was built on lies, so I wasn't excited about anything related to those involved. Furthermore, I didn't feel any "who will she choose?" suspense because, honestly, the female lead never showed genuine interest in the second lead. It felt like he never stood a chance from the start.
P.S. As a side note, the cherry blossom scene is absolutely stunning.
The Family Conflict
The backstory was moving and tragic. Characters like the father are heartbreaking; you can tell that striving to be a good man costs him everything, yet the world gives him no breaks. I can't judge the mother and sister's decision too harshly since some people get their hands tied in a crisis while others simply take the easy way out.
However, it was incredibly frustrating when the mother returned years later with her tail between her legs the moment she faced a hardship. Even though the drama tries to make us feel compassionate, I found her to be completely shameless. On the other hand, seeing the protagonist’s present was hopeful; her resolve as an adult made me genuinely want her to succeed, and I truly valued that she and her sister eventually made peace.
The World of Start-Ups
Although I'm not a fan of business-related themes, I admit I enjoyed the dynamic at Sandbox. The projects, the presentations, and the rivalry with her sister kept my interest. It was interesting to see the process of building a company from the ground up.
The Letters and The Love Triangle
This is where the story lost its strength for me:
The Letters: I was curious about how this would unfold, but the lie ended up feeling completely unnecessary. She was a rational adult who should have been told the truth from the beginning; it's not like her world would have crumbled. The effort put into protecting that lie was questionable, and both men acted in ways they shouldn't have.
The Romance: Given the situation with the letters, I didn't have high hopes for the romance since its foundation was built on lies, so I wasn't excited about anything related to those involved. Furthermore, I didn't feel any "who will she choose?" suspense because, honestly, the female lead never showed genuine interest in the second lead. It felt like he never stood a chance from the start.
P.S. As a side note, the cherry blossom scene is absolutely stunning.
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