Geo-seok (played by Don Lee) is a protagonist in Start-Up.
A large, short-haired chef and owner of a Chinese restaurant who provides shelter and employment to Taek-il after he runs away from home. Taek-il (played by Park Jeong-min) is a protagonist in Start-Up.
A rebellious young man who impulsively leaves home after a conflict with his mother and takes a job at a Chinese restaurant to navigate adulthood. Sang-pil (played by Jung Hae-in) appears in Start-Up.
Taek-il's best friend who struggles to support his grandmother with dementia and takes a risky job at a private loan business to make ends meet. Jeong-hye (played by Yum Jung-ah) appears in Start-Up.
Taek-il's mother who struggles financially, impulsively confronts her son, and later attempts to start a toast business using borrowed money, only to face illegal demolition and loan shark harassment.
Start-Up (2019) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Geo-seok
(played by Don Lee) — protagonist
A large, short-haired chef and owner of a Chinese restaurant who provides shelter and employment to Taek-il after he runs away from home.
Taek-il
(played by Park Jeong-min) — protagonist
A rebellious young man who impulsively leaves home after a conflict with his mother and takes a job at a Chinese restaurant to navigate adulthood.
Sang-pil
(played by Jung Hae-in) — supporting
Taek-il's best friend who struggles to support his grandmother with dementia and takes a risky job at a private loan business to make ends meet.
Jeong-hye
(played by Yum Jung-ah) — supporting
Taek-il's mother who struggles financially, impulsively confronts her son, and later attempts to start a toast business using borrowed money, only to face illegal demolition and loan shark harassment.
Key Relationships
Geo-seok → Sang-pil
(Social Acquaintance)
Sang-pil → Jeong-hye
(Professional Creditor)
Taek-il → Sang-pil
(Social Best Friend)
Taek-il → Geo-seok
(Professional Employer)
Taek-il → Jeong-hye
(Family Mother)
Story Analysis
A story of youthful rebellion, financial struggle, and the harsh transition into adulthood through interconnected personal and economic crises.
