Drama Nexus
Start-Up
Drama guideEnded

Start-Up

스타트업

The place where our story ignites.

Air date: 2020-10-17
Episodes: 16 ep
Network: tvN
Rating: 8.2 / 10
DramaComedy
Cast entries
21
Episodes
16
Locations
4
Food stops
2
Story

Synopsis

A concise overview of the premise, tone, and dramatic setup.

In the dynamic world of South Korea's high-tech industry, young entrepreneurs chase their dreams while navigating the challenges of love and competition. "Start-Up" follows these ambitious individuals as they strive to turn their virtual aspirations into reality, set against a backdrop often likened to Korea's Silicon Valley.

The series features a cast that includes Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Sun-ho, and Kang Han-na, each portraying characters deeply invested in their professional and personal journeys. The story highlights their struggles and triumphs, capturing the intense passion and dedication required to succeed in the start-up scene. With elements of youth romance intertwined, "Start-Up" offers a glimpse into the lives of those willing to take bold risks for their future.

Filming locations

Filming locations

Places connected to scenes, checked against source links before they appear publicly.

  1. 01

    Incheon Startup Park

    인천스타트업파크
    204 Convenzia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, South Korea인천 연수구 컨벤시아대로 204

    In this scene, the characters meet at the Incheon Startup Park, which serves as a filming location for various dramas, including 'My Harry'.

    Incheon Startup Park is a startup park that opened on February 25, 2021, in Songdo International City, Yeonsu District, Incheon Metropolitan City.
    blog.naver.com
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  2. 02

    Nodeul Island

    노들섬
    445 Yangnyeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul서울 용산구 양녕로 445

    Nodeul Island is featured prominently in the drama 'Start-Up', particularly in scenes involving the main characters' interactions and conflicts.

    This time, one of the places to visit in Seoul, Nodeul Island, is also a filming location for the drama Start-Up.
    blog.naver.com
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  3. 03

    Nodeul Bookstore

    노들서가
    302-146 Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울 용산구 이촌동 302-146

    Nodeul Bookstore is another location in 'Start-Up' where characters are seen discussing their ideas and plans.

    Cafe Nodeul is always my favorite place to go for filming or to browse books.
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  4. 04

    Cultural Storage Space

    문화비축기지
    87 Jeungsan-ro, Mapo-gu, Mapo, Seoul, Seoul서울 마포구 증산로 87

    Cultural Storage Space is a filming location for the drama 'Start-Up'. It features various cultural spaces and is a popular spot for weekend outings.

    Today, I visited the Cultural Storage Complex, a filming location for startups, as part of my weekend outing in Seoul.
    blog.naver.com
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Food guide

Food & places

Restaurants, cafes, markets, and dishes tied to the drama or the reader's visit path.

  1. 01RestaurantS1E1

    Hapjeong Don

    hot dog
    47 Huiujeong-ro, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

    The hot dog shop run by the grandmother of Seo Dal-mi (Suzy) during her childhood serves as an important location in the drama. It is where Han Ji-pyeong (Nam Da-reum) encounters the grandmother and receives help until he goes to college.

    Where is the filming location for Grandma's Hot Dog Stand in the first episode of this startup?
    blog.naver.com
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  2. 02Restaurant

    Mysterious Kimbap

    Kimbap
    32 Apgujeong-ro 79-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울 강남구 압구정로79길 32

    Mysterious Kimbap is a restaurant where the author enjoyed a meal while overlooking the Han River, making it a pleasant spot for visitors.

    And the chosen place is 바로 마녀김밥!
    blog.naver.com
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Discovery

More to explore

Step beyond this drama — explore filming sites, food spots, and related titles across the catalog.

Filming locations
4 verified locations

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Food spots
2 verified spots

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Details

Production

Broadcast details, runtime, language, and key production credits.

Country
South Korea
Original language
Korean
Episode runtime
72 min
Spoken languages
English, Korean
Production companies
  • Studio DragonStudio Dragon
  • HighZium StudioHighZium Studio
Creators
Park Hye-ryun박혜련
Directors
Bae Hyun-jin배현진

Source: TMDB

Characters

Cast & characters

Key roles, performers, and character context for quick scanning.

Source: TMDB

Actors

Lead actors

Lead performer biographies and notable credits.

Suzy

Suzyas Seo Dal-mi

수지
1994-10-10 · Gwangju, South Korea

Bae Su-ji, widely recognized by her stage name Suzy, is a prominent South Korean singer, actress, model, and television host. She first gained fame as a member of the girl group Miss A, which debuted under JYP Entertainment in 2010 with the hit single "Bad Girl Good Girl." The group quickly rose to popularity and became a significant part of the K-pop scene. However, after several successful years, Miss A disbanded on December 27, 2017. Following the disbandment, Suzy transitioned her focus toward acting and signed with Management SOOP after leaving JYP Entertainment on March 31, 2019. Her career continues to evolve as she takes on diverse roles in various dramas and films, showcasing her versatility and talent. Suzy remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, admired for both her artistic contributions and her engaging presence on screen.

Notable credits on this site
Nam Joo-hyuk

Nam Joo-hyukas Nam Do-san

남주혁
1994-02-22 · Busan, South Korea

Nam Joo-hyuk is a prominent South Korean model and actor, born on February 22, 1994. He began his career in the fashion industry, making a name for himself as a model before transitioning to acting. His screen debut came in 2014 with the television series "The Idle Mermaid," which set the stage for his rise in the entertainment world. Nam gained widespread recognition for his performances in hit dramas such as "Who Are You: School 2015" and "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo," both of which showcased his charm and acting prowess. His film career took off in 2018 with "The Great Battle," and he continued to achieve significant acclaim with leading roles in popular series like "Start Up" in 2020 and "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" in 2022. In 2021, his influence in the industry was solidified when he was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, highlighting his status as a rising star in South Korea's entertainment scene.

Notable credits on this site
Kim Seon-ho

Kim Seon-hoas Han Ji-pyeong

김선호
1986-05-08 · Seoul, South Korea

Kim Seon-ho is a prominent South Korean actor, born on May 8, 1986. He began his career in the vibrant theater scene of Daehangno in 2009, quickly earning a reputation as a talented performer and garnering the nickname "theater idol." His transition to television came in 2017 with roles in KBS2's "Good Manager" and "Strongest Deliveryman." That same year, he showcased his acting prowess in MBC's "Two Cops," earning two MBC Drama Awards for his compelling performance. Kim's breakthrough role arrived in 2020 with the tvN drama "Start-Up," where he portrayed Han Ji-pyeong, a character that resonated deeply with audiences and significantly boosted his popularity both in South Korea and internationally. In 2021, he captivated viewers again as Hong Du-sik in the romantic comedy "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," earning him Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year award. Continuing to diversify his career, Kim made his film debut in 2023 with the action thriller "The Childe," receiving multiple accolades for Best New Actor. He remains active in both television and theater, solidifying his status as a versatile and beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

Notable credits on this site
Kang Han-na

Kang Han-naas Won In-jae

강한나
1989-01-30 · Seoul, Korea

Kang Han-na is a prominent South Korean actress born on January 30, 1989. She has established herself in the entertainment industry with a variety of leading roles in both films and television series. Kang gained significant recognition for her performances in popular dramas, showcasing her range and talent. Some of her notable works include "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" (2016), "Rain or Shine" (2017), and "Familiar Wife" (2018). She further captivated audiences with her roles in "Start-Up" (2020) and "My Roommate Is a Gumiho" (2021). Looking ahead, Kang is set to star in the upcoming series "Bon Appétit, Your Majesty," slated for release in 2025. Through her diverse roles, Kang Han-na continues to enchant viewers and solidify her place in the competitive landscape of Korean drama.

Kim Hae-sook

Kim Hae-sookas Choi Won-deok

김해숙
1955-12-30 · Busan, South Korea

Kim Hae-sook is a prominent South Korean actress, born on December 30, 1955. She began her acting career in 1974 and has since established herself as a versatile performer in both television dramas and films. With a career spanning several decades, Kim has garnered numerous accolades for her compelling performances. Her impressive filmography includes notable works such as “I Hear Your Voice” (2013), “Pinocchio” (2015), “My Father is Strange” (2017), and “Mother of Mine” (2019). Additionally, she has made significant contributions to cinema with her roles in critically acclaimed films like “Thirst” (2009) and “The Handmaiden” (2016). More recently, she appears in the 2022 drama “Tomorrow,” showcasing her enduring talent and adaptability in the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry.

Notable credits on this site
Streaming

Where to watch

Availability is grouped by country and provider type.

JapanView on TMDB
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  • Netflix
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KoreaView on TMDB
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  • TVING
United StatesView on TMDB
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Streaming data via JustWatch through TMDB.

Episode guide

Episodes

Episode stills, air dates, runtimes, and summaries.

  1. START-UP
    Ep 1START-UP
    2020-10-17 · 85 min

    The spring Seo Dal-mi lost everything, Nam Do-san's letters kept her company. Fifteen years later, she needs him by her side to prove Won In-jae wrong.

  2. FFF (FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOLS)
    Ep 2FFF (FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOLS)
    2020-10-18 · 84 min

    To preserve Dal-mi's past and to support her future, Choi Won-deok asks Han Ji-pyeong to pull off an impossible task.

  3. Angel
    Ep 3Angel
    2020-10-24 · 83 min

    Ji-pyeong scrambles to transform Do-san into the man of Dal-mi's dreams. A rude awakening prompts In-jae to close one door and open another.

  4. Sandbox
    Ep 4Sandbox
    2020-10-25 · 81 min

    Despite differing pasts, Dal-mi and In-jae fight for their dreams at the same starting line. Ji-pyeong sets out to protect Dal-mi and help Do-san.

  5. Hackathon
    Ep 5Hackathon
    2020-10-31 · 82 min

    Dal-mi and In-jae present their teams' ideas on the hackathon stage. A story about Dal-mi's upbringing moves Ji-pyeong to fight for her success.

  6. Key Man
    Ep 6Key Man
    2020-11-01 · 82 min

    In-jae uses lessons from her father and stepfather to her advantage. A clash over company shares tests Dal-mi, who turns to Ji-pyeong for advice.

  7. Burn Rate
    Ep 7Burn Rate
    2020-11-07 · 78 min

    Grappling with his feelings for Dal-mi, Ji-pyeong avoids her. Do-san's knowledge of Won-deok's condition inspires a business idea for Samsan Tech.

  8. Backup
    Ep 8Backup
    2020-11-08 · 81 min

    Devastating news gives Dal-mi another reason to make the app a success. Won Du-jeong's plan to teach Do-san and Dal-mi a lesson backfires.

  9. Risk
    Ep 9Risk
    2020-11-14 · 81 min

    Do-san and Ji-pyeong struggle to bear the weight of their untold truths. Doubts and a mix-up lead Dal-mi to the place where it all started.

  10. Demo Day
    Ep 10Demo Day
    2020-11-15 · 85 min

    Ji-pyeong gives Dal-mi long-awaited answers and a confession. Seeking success on his own terms, Do-san considers a golden opportunity.

  11. Exit
    Ep 11Exit
    2020-11-21 · 77 min

    Kim Yong-san forces Ji-pyeong to reflect on his past remarks. In-jae and Dal-mi's companies showcase rivaling programs using the same technology.

  12. Acqhire
    Ep 12Acqhire
    2020-11-22 · 86 min

    Alex Kwon shows his true colors, proving Ji-pyeong right and fulfilling Samsan Tech's worst fears. Do-san tells Ji-pyeong about Won-deok's health.

  13. Comfort Zone
    Ep 13Comfort Zone
    2020-11-28 · 73 min

    Dal-mi and In-jae's self-driving car is hit by a ransomware attack. Samsan Tech founders return after a successful three-year stint in San Francisco.

  14. Elevator Speech
    Ep 14Elevator Speech
    2020-11-29 · 81 min

    Tasked with recruiting top developers into her company, Dal-mi pitches her idea at Samsan Tech. Do-san gets away to clear his head.

  15. MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
    Ep 15MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
    2020-12-05 · 78 min

    Jung Sa-ha and Lee Chul-san begin dating in secret. A boozy, heartfelt conversation with Do-san helps Ji-pyeong make a decision about Dal-mi.

  16. Scale Up
    Ep 16Scale Up
    2020-12-06 · 81 min

    Do-san and Dal-mi envision new goals for their future. Ji-pyeong finds a way to pay forward his gratitude for Won-deok. In-jae returns to her roots.

Source: TMDB

Media

Videos

Trailers, OST, interviews, making clips, reviews, and recommendations.

Trailers & teasers

OST

Interviews & making-of

Reviews & recommendations

Source: YouTube

Discovery

Similar dramas

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Source: TMDB