brucelce

I've read the webtoon twice and I really loved it but I don't think it's a good idea to compare the two. Live action and webtoon panels are two very different media which affects the pacing and the suspense. Make sure to keep an open mind. Also, I read somewhere that the author, Carnby Kim, encouraged the director to make changes, there's no point in having an adaptation if they're going to be carbon copies.

Perfectly balanced as all things should be

I think the worst part of the love triangle isn't that HJP suffered so much but got nothing, but its effects on NDS's character. NDS's arc should have focused on his self esteem and insecurities. Every time he's with Dalmi, he's constantly seeking validation to why he's liked. The thing is, being with Dalmi romantically is such a huge disservice to him. They would be good friends because their support for each other is cute ngl, but his relationship is only worsening his flaw. I can't say he's emotionally manipulative, but he was definitely immature pre time skip. He felt like a puppy looking for his owner. The thing is though, the drama never takes time to overcome this insecurity. You don't become confident just because you're rich or because you got the girl. Confidence comes from within, and he needed more screen time with his family, which was the root of his problems. I'm just lamenting on the potential of NDS as a character. I've been looking for a softer male lead for so long but this isn't it.

In regards to all the low ratings such as 1 - 3, yes they don't accurately reflect the quality, but they do reflect the level of disappointment. Start-Up isn't the worst drama, but considering its potential, it's just sort of sad to think about. And I don't think people are only mad because of SLS. I could care less who ended up with who. But the character decisions, lack of consequences for the leads, unrealism, and the while using HJP for convenience and giving him ZIP is frustrating to say the least.

HM yeah I guess the trend has reversed. Idk I feel like it fits Wen Bing's character more to find out early I guess since he's a prankster and really observant, so it made for some really funny scenes. But yeah finding love despite discrimination is a really sweet theme, but China yanno, don't think you can really blame the writers when the country is so strict.

Dodal: Did we win?
PHR: Yes.
Dodal: What did it cost?
PHR: Everything

Yeah censorship is pretty heavy in China but I also think the male lead thinking he is gay is also overdone because every crossdressing drama does that so I think the male lead finding out so early on was a more refreshing take?

I'm rereading the webtoon and honestly even though Hyuk has a prominent role, he doesn't have that many scenes compared to Hyun and Wook but it can't be helped. The cast of the webtoon is huge but I would still consider Hyuk to be a main role compared to the other characters.

The thing is that oppa does literally translate to older brother, it's just cultural differences. Same with China where girls often refer to older guys as "ge ge" which means older brother and it's often a form of endearment, but that's just how the language is. Most people know it doesn't necessarily mean they are family.

I do think her earlier works were better though I don't like Start-Up but I Hear Your Voice was one of my favourites

Can they just end the love triangle already and let HJP be with grandmother LMAO I just want him to finally have a family is that too much to ask for

I might now watch this because Nam Do San is kinda annoying me but Nam Joo Hyuk's role here seems really cute

I have a bias AGAINST characters who throw the first punch :)

wait only 10 episodes? hm i'm wondering how they're gonna fit the 140 chapter webtoon into 10 episodes

After having seen 18 again, I now know that my favourite character Hyuk Lee is in safe hands

Yes! The drama has much more depth and explores many characters thoroughly. I cried so much in episode 8.

Lmao I give up on this reading people's opinions on this is more interesting than watching XD

Yooo just saw that Lee Bo Young has a guest role in here :O

I didn't have a problem with the romance per se because I've seen plotlines similar to this before where childhood friends grow up together and fall in love. I just think it just devalued the whole point of the drama that put such a big emphasis on familial bond between people unrelated by blood only for it to be quashed for romance. And Ling Xiao becomes way too emotionally dependent on Jian Jian so it's not even healthy either.

So happy to see Chen Yao do the spy role she always wanted!!