Such a beautifully written review. Thank you. I agree with you 100%.
That line "We only love each other during our good times, but we become a burden to each other in our low points" always seemed to out of character in my opinion.
When they first met, they were AT very low points. Yijin was struggling tremendously after the bankruptcy and Heedo was struggling with her Mom and her fencing. That is why the line made no sense to me. They absolutely loved each other during these bad times. In fact, they were each other's only comfort and support and then helped each other get back on their feet. Sure, later after 9/11 they were a burden, but this line was not consistent across their relationship, so it never made sense to me.
Also. Communication. I have seem SO many people begin watching the show and mention their favorite thing between these 2 young people is how well they communicate. And I agree!! They communicated SO well. So what happened? Why did the writers decide to change their characters to make them not communicate well as they got older and in theory should have been maturing. Why did they regress in their communication skills? That never made sense either.
I think that's why the ending didn't seem realistic to me. Instead of them maturing in character traits (communication and support), the writers decided to make them go backwards. It wasn't the progress the characters had been making.
Your description of "tragic" rather than "realistic" is so correct. That would explain why the ending hurt so much. The loss of their relationship (despite still loving each other) was tragic and they will feel that loss and tragedy their entire lives. Heedo seems sad (not happy or content) in her present life and that hurts me a lot. She thought she would find happiness, but I think that did not truly happen. My heart hurts for her.
Not bring rude, but SAME. I really try but I can’t watch anyone with strongly apparent plastic surgery like…
Same!! And the same 3 actors too! I literally can't watch her or Lee Jong Suk at all due to this and Kim Seon Ho isn't quite as bad, but it's still noticeable and off putting for me.
Agree 100% with everything you said. Ending was ridiculous. By episode 13, I was ready to give this show a 12/10 if possible. Literally the best kdrama I had ever seen. By episode 15, the characters were acting totally out of character and different than they had the first 14 episodes. It made no sense. It still could have been salvaged right at the end if Baek Yijin had been there at the tunnel when Heedo showed up. I could still have given it a 10/10 if they left some kind of open ending there where they meet again happily. But no. Every other character gets a perfect happy ending and 20 years later, Heedo still seems bitter and sad and unfulfilled. I imagine if we actually got to SEE Baek Yijin, we'd find him in very much the same mindframe. Horrible what they did to our babies. I only read fanfic with Baekdo happy endings now to try to get past this show. I ended up giving it an 8 I think. That ending just ruined everything.
Unfortunately, I only saw this just now, but I'm so glad to know that someone loved and appreciated this the same…
I just wanted to say that as the notification popped up that you had replied, I was watching Start Up LOL!!! I just randomly will watch my favorite scenes now and again. It's just so cute and inspiring. And one more thing about both of us knowing that Dalmi would never end up with JP. I never quite understood why the shippers of Dalmi and JP weren't slightly grossed out that back when the letters were being written Dalmi was 12 years old and JP was 18? I guess this just disturbed me a little bit. Dalmi thought she was writing to another 12 year old. It was weird an 18 year old would have developed any kind of feelings for a 12 year old. Or decide many, many years later that they HAD in fact liked a TWELVE year old? I guess people didn't look at this aspect of their "past" relationship and history. Gross.
I was planning to watch this drama because of the high ratings. but after the first episode, I realized that Hee…
Smart. I wish I had done that too. I watched with the hope they'd be getting together in the current times. But that didn't happen either. The heartbreak is still real. The pain is unbelievable and I still feel numb. I applaud your smart move.
Beautiful review. Thank you for posting it. I enjoyed reading it. I just adored Start Up. Loved the Samsan Tech Team and their success after all they went through.
I agree with you 100%!!! I will love and adore this drama forever. Dosan/Dalmi was the cutest thing ever. I also never understood the Dalmi/JP shippers? They were so awkward and she only ever saw him as a mentor. And let's face it, that girl literally couldn't keep her hands off Dosan LOL!!! I think she gave JP a handshake once. She was all over Dosan every chance she got. It was clear from the very beginning who she wanted. Yes, OST still one of my favorites ever!! ! It was just such an inspiring story and I adore how they grew through all the steps together to reach the top and where they wanted to be. 10/10 in all categories for me too. No one can change my mind either!
What a wonderful review. I agree with every point! I also have always wondered about why Dalmi never seemed to be mad at Grandma when Grandma started all of the problems!! And yes, Dalmi was never once attracted to JP which is why I was always so confused at the shipping wars when it was clear who Dalmi was attracted to. Actions speak louder than words. That girl couldn't keep her hands off Dosan from the very beginning! She may have given JP a handshake once? Great show overall though (minus all the lying). Very inspiring in terms of starting at the bottom and making your way to the top!
That line "We only love each other during our good times, but we become a burden to each other in our low points" always seemed to out of character in my opinion.
When they first met, they were AT very low points. Yijin was struggling tremendously after the bankruptcy and Heedo was struggling with her Mom and her fencing. That is why the line made no sense to me. They absolutely loved each other during these bad times. In fact, they were each other's only comfort and support and then helped each other get back on their feet. Sure, later after 9/11 they were a burden, but this line was not consistent across their relationship, so it never made sense to me.
Also. Communication. I have seem SO many people begin watching the show and mention their favorite thing between these 2 young people is how well they communicate. And I agree!! They communicated SO well. So what happened? Why did the writers decide to change their characters to make them not communicate well as they got older and in theory should have been maturing. Why did they regress in their communication skills? That never made sense either.
I think that's why the ending didn't seem realistic to me. Instead of them maturing in character traits (communication and support), the writers decided to make them go backwards. It wasn't the progress the characters had been making.
Your description of "tragic" rather than "realistic" is so correct. That would explain why the ending hurt so much. The loss of their relationship (despite still loving each other) was tragic and they will feel that loss and tragedy their entire lives. Heedo seems sad (not happy or content) in her present life and that hurts me a lot. She thought she would find happiness, but I think that did not truly happen. My heart hurts for her.
Yours is the best review I've read. Thank you.
And one more thing about both of us knowing that Dalmi would never end up with JP. I never quite understood why the shippers of Dalmi and JP weren't slightly grossed out that back when the letters were being written Dalmi was 12 years old and JP was 18? I guess this just disturbed me a little bit. Dalmi thought she was writing to another 12 year old. It was weird an 18 year old would have developed any kind of feelings for a 12 year old. Or decide many, many years later that they HAD in fact liked a TWELVE year old? I guess people didn't look at this aspect of their "past" relationship and history. Gross.
Yes, OST still one of my favorites ever!! !
It was just such an inspiring story and I adore how they grew through all the steps together to reach the top and where they wanted to be. 10/10 in all categories for me too. No one can change my mind either!