Start-Up — Season 1
The place where our story ignites.
About this season
Young entrepreneurs aspiring to launch virtual dreams into reality compete for success and love in the cutthroat world of Korea's high-tech industry.
Episodes (16)
1. START-UP
8.2Aired 17 October 2020 • 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)
8.4Aired 18 October 2020 • 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
7.8Aired 24 October 2020 • 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
8.5Aired 25 October 2020 • 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
8.5Aired 31 October 2020 • 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
8.3Aired 1 November 2020 • 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
8.2Aired 7 November 2020 • 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
9.3Aired 8 November 2020 • 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
10.0Aired 14 November 2020 • 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
8.0Aired 15 November 2020 • 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
6.0Aired 21 November 2020 • 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
7.0Aired 22 November 2020 • 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
Aired 28 November 2020 • 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
8.0Aired 29 November 2020 • 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)
6.0Aired 5 December 2020 • 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
5.5Aired 6 December 2020 • 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.