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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 9 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo Hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon Ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Kang Han Na as Won In-jae, and Kim Hae Sook as Choi Won-deok. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: “Bluebird” by Ailee, “Love Designer” by Park Se-jun, and “Cupcake” by Park Se-jun and Kim Min Ji.
• The heartbreaking story behind Nam Do-san’s Math Olympiad win and how it defined his identity and self-worth.
• Seo Dal-mi’s slow realization that something is off. Why do Han Ji Pyeong and Nam Do San have the same birthday and handwriting?
• The powerful metaphor of the wind: how it brings both luck and storms into Nam Do-san’s life.
• Han Ji-pyeong's explosive confrontation with Choi Won-deok, his declaration of love for Dal-mi, and the emotional fallout.
• The idea that risk is measurable, while danger is unpredictable, as articulated by Chairwoman Yoon in her evaluation of Won In-jae.
• Nam Do-san’s confession to his parents that he cheated in the Math Olympiad, and their crushing disappointment.
• The beautiful and emotional beach trip where Nam Do San gifts a moment of beauty to Seo Dal Mi’s grandmother.
• The escalating love triangle, with both Nam Do San and Han Ji Pyeong vying for Seo Dal Mi’s heart.
• The AI-related layoffs and protests surrounding In-jae Company and the broader implications for the workforce.
• A tense and cinematic ending where Dal-mi uncovers the truth, leaving both Nam Do San and Han Ji Pyeong speechless and in emotional disarray.
• The incredible performance of Seo Yi Sook, who plays Chairwoman Yoon, and her long and fascinating journey to stardom.
• What we’re watching now, including Dynamite Kiss, Made in Korea, Can This Love Be Translated, Pro Bono, and more.

References

• The top 15 K dramas ever made
• The best 30 K dramas of all time, ranked
• Oxford English Dictionary Adds Eight Korean Words.”
• StartUp Complete List of Filming Locations
• You're just staring at yourself': Job seekers lament AI interview process
• Endoscopist deskilling risk after exposure to artificial intelligence in colonoscopy: a multicentre, observational study - The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology
• Seo Yi Sook on Wikipedia
• ​​Where To Buy The Dooly And Gildong Shirts From ‘Start-Up’
• Dooly the Little Dinosaur - Wikipedia

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 8 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo Hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon Ho as Han Ji Pyeong, Kang Han Na as Won In Jae, and Kim Hae Sook as Choi Won Deok. We also discuss Yoo Su Bin, the actor who plays Lee Chul San, and Kim Do Wan, the actor who plays Kim Yong San. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: “Even for a Moment” by CHEEZE, “My Past” by Park Sejun and Kim Min Ji, and “Heart Signal” by Kim Dong Hyeok, plus a fun mention of IU’s “Good Day.”
• The theme of backups—literal and metaphorical—including cloud, device, and hard drive backups and what they signify about risk management and emotional safety.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): what it is, its key components, and how Samsan Tech uses CSR to fund their app for the visually impaired.
• The evolving nature of NoonGil and how Seo Dal-mi and Nam Do-san combine image recognition and AI voice tech to empower visually impaired users.
• Han Ji Pyeong’s initial rejection of the idea, and how storytelling plays a crucial role in business, as Seo Dal-mi’s pitch emotionally resonates with Han Ji Pyeong despite his pragmatic stance.
• The concept of Daily Active Users (DAUs), viral marketing, and how NoonGil’s downloads explode after a social post from baseball star Park Chan Ho.
• The powerful reveal of Choi Won Deok’s feedback notebook, and how this leads to Seo Dal-mi finally learning about her grandmother’s deteriorating eyesight.
• The emotional gravity of the grandmother using NoonGil to hear a Bible passage, and the symbolism of her regaining a sense of independence.
• The rivalry between Han Ji Pyeong and Nam Do-san intensifies, with two alternate endings showing different dynamics around the scrunchie.
• Important language and etiquette notes: how Seo Dal-mi calls HJP “Han Jang-nim” and how he respectfully calls her “Seo Daepyonim.”
• The storyline of Seo Dal-mi’s mother and her complicated motivations around reuniting with Won In Jae.
• A deep dive into Silicon Valley’s Pay It Forward culture and the “five-minute favor.”
• We spotlight Yoo Su Bin and Kim Do Wan—the quirky best friends in Samsan Tech—and discuss their careers, recent works, and breakout roles.

References

• No Other Choice on IMDB
• Good Day by IU
• Jat-guksu - Wikipedia
• Gapyeong County - Wikipedia
• Pay It Forward is Silicon Valley’s Open Secret to Success
• The Power of the Five Minute Favor by Adam Grant

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Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 7 of Start-Up, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Bae Suzy as Seo Dal-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk as Nam Do-san, Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, Kang Han-na as Won In-jae, and Kim Hae-sook as Choi Won-deok. We discuss:

• The songs featured during the recap: My Love by Davichi, Maybe You Know It by Park Se-jun, and Alchemist by Park Se-jun.
• The startup terms "burn rate," "nut," and "valuation" and how they relate to Samsan Tech’s financial situation.
• How Dal-mi bombards Ji-pyeong with 400 questions, revealing her inexperience and eagerness, and how Ji-pyeong answers them all.
• The intensifying love triangle and growing tension between Ji-pyeong and Do-san, especially as Ji-pyeong begins to realize his feelings for Dal-mi.
• The hilarious but symbolic scene where Ji-pyeong tries to throw out the money plant and gets scolded by the building manager.
• The heartbreaking moment when Choi Won-deok begs Do-san not to reveal her deteriorating eyesight to Dal-mi.
• Do-san's touching realization that all the "miracles" began with the grandmother’s kindness, deepening his respect and resolve.
• How Do-san’s concern for the grandmother inspires the idea for Samsan Tech’s new business model: an app for the visually impaired.
• The pitch meeting with Morning Group, where Dal-mi and Do-san realize they are being offered an exploitative contract.
• Dal-mi’s kiss, sparked by Do-san defending her and standing up for their dignity, despite their financial precarity.
• How the sisters, Dal-mi and In-jae, each struggle to be recognized on their own merits: one without credentials, one despite connections.
• Stephanie Lee, who plays Jung Sa-ha, her Korean-American background, her shift from dramas to movies, and her award-winning fashion.

References

• Google Options Make Masseuse a Multimillionaire - The New York Times
• Stroke of luck for masseuse who found millions at Google | The Independent
• MIcrosoft and OpenAI reach a deal valuing OpenAI at $500B
• Actress Stephanie Lee is preparing for a new leap forward
• Moon Se-yoon - Wikipedia
• Faces of wealth, intellect and longevity, as revealed by veteran face reader