Lilli_

Reading your story, I feel like you could have impostor syndrome. I hope you don't take it the wrong way, I really just want to help by telling you this. Maybe read info on that syndrome and think about it. I actually have it too, I always think I'm not good enough even though I get good results and blame it on luck and other stuff. Even though I know now that it's not true, I keep having moments when I still think, no, I'm not talented, it's all a lie and everyone will find out at some point. In the end, it comes down to lack of self-confidence.
You clearly didn't cheat, it's just a feeling you have, so that's why I think this could be impostor syndrome.

Now that you prefer film to engineering is another thing. Even if you're good at something, you don't have to do it if it's not your passion. This is totally okay. Do what makes you happy, that is the most important. I'm majoring in languages and literature even though my parents would have preferred me to do something else. And I also won a math award back in high school, just fyi.

I agree. From Dal Mi's perspective it makes totally sense to choose Do San. But I just wished she'd learn all the truths we viewers know, takes some time to get her head cleared since she's currently blinded by her feelings for Do San, then starts to interact with both on an equal basis and chooses Ji Pyung in the end. That's the drama I'd love to see.

True, lol. The role basically begs Kim Seon Ho to show what he got. I can't wait for the crying scenes that are to come. He will certainly blow us all away. I was so impressed by his crying in The Best Deliveryman that I still can't forget that scene.

I don't hate Grandma, but yes, I'd prefer Han Ji Pyung as the main lead, but there are good reasons for it, and the fact that so many people think the same underlines that. I have nothing against Nam Joo Hyuk as an actor, it's really just about the characters. If you personally prefer Nam Do San, that's totally okay, we are all different and have different preferences and that's good so. But there's no doubt that the writer wrote Han Ji Pyung in a way that would make many viewers like him or even prefer him over the actual lead.

Now that you mention it, he indeed reminds me a little of those drama villains that are super kind in the beginning and then suddenly make a 180 degree turn after some incident. Of course it's not to that extent but the writer definitely didn't do a good job here.

To put it in a nutshell, Nam Do San seems like a living buddha but is actually a selfish person if you look behind the surface. And on the other hand, Han Ji Pyung seems to care only about himself on the outside but always puts others before him in truth.

No matter how I look at it, Nam Do San would have been perfect second lead material (even if I'd actually prefer no love triangle at all). I just can't find a reason to justify Nam Do San as the first lead. Having an insecure nerd as the lead instead of the usual stereotypes is indeed a nice idea, but the way his character is written is too weak. If they left him as he is, they should at least have written Ji Pyung differently and make Ji Pyung even more flawed than Do San.

There's no way she wouldn't be mad. She got cast as a darn main lead and where is she now? Putting yourself out there is way more important than the money. Only then you can gain popularity and receive good offers which will result in higher pay in the end. But what can she do about it. If she complains, she'd just ruin her image. Being an actor/actress really isn't easy, I feel bad for her.

To be fair, he wanted to tell Dal Mi in the end, but for the wrong reasons as I see it. Not because Dal Mi doesn't deserve to be lied at but because he couldn't bear the guilt anymore.
He is a very kindhearted person but he becomes selfish once it involves him and his own desires.

I don't see anything wrong with Do San cheating on the exam as a child. I bet most people would do the same if they were in his stead and it makes his character feel more human. The problem is more how he deals with the aftermath, pities himself and blames his parents. I can still understand where he comes from but the way the story was presented puts Nam Do San really in a bad light and just makes Ji Pyung shine more. It all comes down to bad writing and/or directing I guess. The balance is off considering Nam Do San is supposed to be the first lead.

I couldn't agree more. The drama seems to be foregoing all those little things that made me love it in the first place.

I feel sad that the writer doesn't explore the potential bromance more. I think Han Ji Pyung doesn't even realize it himself but he's such a lonely soul. He really needs friends, maybe even more than a love line, and they could have made him and Do San become good buddies. Instead we only get unneccesary rivalry. I'm thinking about the birthday scene, I loved it so much to see Ji Pyung enjoying himself being with others. At least give him friends please. Love line or not, I really wouldn't be able to stand it if his character ends up still being lonely at the end of the drama.

Of course her reaction was very wrong but she was cornered because he said he wants to tell the truth, so I think it makes sense that she reacted so emotionally and could only think of her granddaughter in that moment. And that's also why I think she will apologize to him later and they will certainly continue to have a special bond. I really see nothing wrong with the way she reacted and it also doesn't make me hate the character of Grandma. I just blame the writer for including such a scene and breaking Ji Pyung's and our hearts again and again.

I know everyone is angry at Grandma, but to her defence, I think her reaction made totally sense and might even be the only possible reaction that makes sense. It's about her granddaughter after all, of course she would think about her granddaughter first before Ji Pyung. That doesn't mean that she doesn't care about Ji Pyung anymore though and I also believe she will apologize to him later after thinking the whole situation through. I think we're in for a very heartbreaking scene.
Now that Grandma wants to keep the lie up is another story and I also agree with some other people here that Grandma should have noticed before that Ji Pyung likes Dal Mi.

Thank you for the info! That Nam Joo Hyuk is above Kim Seon Ho on the list is beyond me though...

I have this tiny hope that the drama hasn't finished filming yet and the writer will change the endgame after realizing that the viewers all prefer Han Ji Pyung. Does anyone know how Korean viewers are reacting to the drama? Are they also mostly Team Ji Pyung?

I have seen many of the writer's dramas and am a big fan. I thought Start-Up would become her best work to date after seeing the amazing opening episodes but now I think it's turning out to be her weakest work instead. It's a real pity since the idea for the story had so much potential. The only way I see to "save" this drama is having Ji Pyung end up with Dal Mi (which very likely won't happen as we all know), but even then this doesn't undo some of the issues I have with the drama right now.
Do San's character really isn't well-written, and I don't mean the fact that he's a nerd. He's too whiny and even comes off as too selfish at times (even though he actually has a good heart). Of course characters should feel real and have flaws as well, but the way he's being presented really makes the viewer focus more on his bad sides. Actually, he would have been the perfect second lead material. And on the other hand, the character of Ji Pyung really is too mesmerizing for a second lead. It doesn't help that Kim Seon Ho is an excellent actor who outshines Nam Joo Hyuk (he is a great actor too, but Kim Seon Ho is just on another level). And Kang Han Na is being wasted here. Why did they even include her in the main cast when they're giving the character of Won In Jae so little screen time?
Furthermore, the drama is focusing too much on the romance part. If this was supposed to be a romance drama, they shouldn't have given it the title "Start-Up". Also, the comedy feels really flat by now. I'm really fed up with Do San's friends and their childish behavior. Is it supposed to be funny? I really miss the wit of the first episodes that made me laugh out loud several times.
Nonetheless, it's still a decent drama, there are lots of worse dramas out there. But it failed to fulfil the high expectations. But I'm still happy that it's getting a lot of attention and Kim Seon Ho gets his chance to shine through it. This actor has amazing talent, all that he lacked so far was popularity. Now that his popularity is finally rising a lot, I hope he will be offered lots of good projects.