Han Ji-pyeong
Han Ji-pyeong is a fictional character created by Park Hye-ryun for the South Korean television series Start-Up, which aired on tvN from October 17 to December 6, 2020. The drama aired on tvN from October 17 to December 6, 2020, broadcasting every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00. It was simultaneously streamed on Netflix in 50 countries worldwide.
The character is portrayed by Kim Seon-ho, with his younger counterpart played by Nam Da-reum. Han Ji-pyeong made his first screen appearance in the pilot episode broadcast on October 17. Known as a "genius investor" for his skills, his sharp tongue earned him the nickname the "Gordon Ramsay of the investment world." At the start of the series, he is a successful venture capitalist, holding the position of investment team leader at SH Venture Capital in South Korea. By the end of the series, he receives a promotion to executive director. He also becomes an angel investor for a social startup, a development that concludes his character arc.
Han Ji-pyeong is widely regarded as one of the most memorable second lead characters in Korean drama history. The character was selected as one of the Best Characters of the Year at the 2021 Seoul International Drama Awards. Kim Seon-ho received universal acclaim for his performance, which led to a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor – Television at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. At the same event, he won the fan-voted Popular Actor Award. He also received the Emotive Award at the Asia Artist Awards and an Actor Award at the Brand Customer Loyalty Awards. Following the drama's success, Kim Seon-ho subsequently featured on the 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list.
Character role
Han Ji-pyeong is one of the main characters in the television series Start-Up, which aired on tvN and is available on Netflix, exploring the lives of young individuals striving for success in their startup ventures.Han Ji-pyeong is introduced in the pilot episode, "Start-Up," as a highly successful senior team leader at SH Venture Investment. His professional success is evident through his high salary, luxury vehicles, and an apartment overlooking the Han River. He is noted for his highly critical and candid assessment of business plans, a trait that earned him the nickname the "Gordon Ramsay of the investment world." Despite his reputation for harsh critique, entrepreneurs consistently seek his investment because successfully passing his rigorous evaluation is considered a reliable indicator of a startup's viability.
Relationship
Relationship with Choi Won-deok
The pilot episode introduces flashbacks to Ji-pyeong's past, his difficult youth as an orphan. At 18, he was forced to leave the orphanage with only a government stipend of 2 million won and a competition certificate of cyber money he won in a mock investment competition. He had nowhere to go until Choi Won-deok, the grandmother of the female lead, Dal-mi, appeared before him. In the pouring rain, she invited him to stay in the back room of her corn dog shop.During this time, Ji-pyeong, at Won-deok's request, secretly served as a pen pal for her granddaughter, Seo Dal-mi, using the pseudonym "Nam Do-san," a name borrowed from a newspaper article about a young math olympiad winner. Won-deok affectionately called him "sundingie," translated in English as "good boy." Ji-pyeong successfully invested 8 million won that Won-deok entrusted to him, multiplying the money tenfold through the stock market. He planned to use the profit for his college fund. The two had an argument when Ji-pyeong mistakenly believed Won-deok had used his investment earnings to support Dal-mi's father's business; she had, in fact, never touched the money. When Ji-pyeong left for college in Seoul, Won-deok gifted him a new pair of shoes and assured him he could always return to her in times of hardship.
Back in the present, Ji-pyeong coincidentally ran into Dal-mi at a startup conference at Sandbox. Though he pretended not to know her, he followed her to find Won-deok and quickly located the grandmother's corn dog food truck. The second episode saw Ji-pyeong visit the truck. Driven by a sense of debt for her past kindness, he offered to buy Won-deok a shop, but she declined. Won-deok later visited his office with a request: Dal-mi needed a date for a networking event, so Ji-pyeong had to find the real Nam Do-san. As a favor to Won-deok, Ji-pyeong tracked down the actual Nam Do-san and convinced him to temporarily pose as Dal-mi's pen pal, thereby perpetuating the original deception.
Relationship with Dal-mi and Samsan Tech
Meeting Do-san inspired Dal-mi to start her own company. She and her team member, Sa-ha, joined Do-san's team,, in an incubator program run by Sandbox, with Dal-mi taking the role of CEO. Dal-mi later chose Ji-pyeong as the mentor for Samsan Tech, where he guided them with sharp business acumen. The app Samsan Tech created, NoonGil, was designed to assist the blind and led the team to victory at a Sandbox Demo Day.As his genuine feelings for Dal-mi grew, Ji-pyeong grappled with the guilt of his hidden role in the letter deception, leading to emotional conflict with Do-san. The truth finally surfaced after Ji-pyeong was driven to retrieve Dal-mi's last letter; Dal-mi found him, forcing him to confess that he wrote the letters and admit his feelings for her.
Ji-pyeong was also burdened by guilt after realizing a previous harsh critique he delivered during a Demo Day directly led an entrepreneur to commit suicide.
Although Samsan Tech won the Demo Day, Do-san's decision to accept an acquisition offer led to the acq-hire of the engineering team to the U.S., leaving Dal-mi and Sa-ha behind. Moved to tears upon seeing the now-blind Won-deok using the NoonGil app, Ji-pyeong fought to ensure the app's continued development.
Three years later, Ji-pyeong was promoted to executive director. When Do-san returned and Dal-mi recruited him to her company. Ji-pyeong, aware of Dal-mi's enduring feelings for Do-san and realizing Do-san's complete family background was an advantage over his own orphaned status, decided to step back from the competition for her heart. Ji-pyeong informed Dal-mi that he was not the Nam Do-san from the letters, pointing out that he had not reached out to her in the 15 years, unlike Do-san who had done so promptly.
Relationship with AI Speaker "Yeongsil"
Ji-pyeong's home life included Yeongsil, the Jiphyeonjeon Tech AI speaker that functioned as a smart secretary, house automation, and conversational companion. Although Yeongsil often provided nonsensical or irrelevant responses, it occasionally offered unexpected insights. This dynamic highlighted his portrayal as a solitary individual who must manage all responsibilities independently despite his success.Ultimately, Ji-pyeong's character development culminated in him acting as an angel investor to a social startup that supports orphans. Notably, the founder of this startup, in a cameo appearance by Yeo Jin-goo, also contributed his voice to Yeongsil, the AI speaker. The startup had initially sought investment from SH Venture Capital; however, Ji-pyeong felt that its eligibility was lacking. Despite this, he chose to invest his own money and also donated to the cause, expressing his willingness to mentor orphans. This act of generosity reflects his desire to pay it forward, drawing from his own experiences of receiving support from Won-deok during his adolescence.
Development
Character creation
The character Han Ji-pyeong was created by screenwriter Park Hye-ryun for the South Korean television series Start-Up. News of Park's new drama, initially titled Sandbox, first emerged on November 11, 2019. In January 2020, Hwang Ki-yong, CEO of History D&C, confirmed that the project was the first drama his company was releasing after his departure from the iHQ drama division, noting the intense preparation underway. In February 2020, the drama's official title was confirmed as Start-Up and included in tvN's 2020 lineup. This change was reportedly necessary due to the existence of a real South Korean startup named Sandbox. The series chronicles the journey of young individuals entering the South Korean startup scene, often referred to as Korea's Silicon Valley, with the aspiration of becoming industry leaders. At the drama's press conference in October, director Oh Chung-hwan revealed that discussions about the series had been in progress for two years prior to its release.Han Ji-pyeong's character information was first released in early 2020, coinciding with the announcement of Kim Seon-ho's casting confirmation. The character details were subsequently released officially on the tvN website. In August, the production team confirmed that Han Ji-pyeong's name, like those of all the main characters, was intentionally based on a real-life subway station: the Yangpyeong Ji-pyeong Station. This unique naming convention was intentionally adopted to prevent any unwanted association between the fictional drama characters and actual figures within the South Korean business community.
Casting
Reports concerning the casting for the drama, initially titled Sandbox, began in November 2019, with Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk named as potential leads. However, it was the casting of Kim Seon-ho that was first confirmed in January 2020. By the following month, February 2020, the series was officially added to the 2020 tvN drama lineup under its finalized title, Start-Up.Nam Da-reum's casting as the younger Han Ji-pyeong was confirmed in August 2020. His selection was based on his established relationship with the production team, as he has often been chosen to portray younger versions of main characters in screenwriter Park Hye-ryun's projects. This connection was further reinforced by his previous appearance in the drama While You Were Sleeping, which was written by Park Hye-ryun and directed by Oh Chung-hwan. Nam Da-reum shared his reasons for choosing the role, stating, "I'm so happy to be able to work with writer Park Hye-ryun and director Oh Chung-hwan once again in the final days of my teenage years. I want to repay the trust they've placed in me with excellent acting. I think I'll be able to show viewers a side of me that's a little different from my previous child roles."
At Start-Up press conference on October 12, 2020, director Oh Chung-hwan discussed his casting choices. Regarding Kim Seon-ho, Oh revealed that he had consulted with actors who had previously worked with Kim in theater without his prior knowledge. The director stated, "After listening to their stories, I thought, 'Wow, this kind of person could definitely play the role of Han Ji-pyeong,' and cast him." He added that, "On set, Kim Seon-ho actually gave us more than 200% of what we expected." Oh further explained his choice, saying, "Kim Seon-ho is an actor I've personally liked since Chief Kim. He's clean, but he also has complex and sharp sides, but in reality, his personality is gentle. On set, he's the oldest, but he's the cutest. The character Han Ji-pyeong has a sharp edge, and in the drama, he's called 'Sundingi.' I thought he was an actor with that kind of side."
Kim Seon-ho is a fan of writer Park Hye-ryun, having enjoyed her previous works I Can Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio. He also admires director Oh Chung-hwan's work, particularly The Doctors and Hotel del Luna. He was thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with them after reading the script up to the fifth episode. Kim's impression of the story was, "I was really drawn to the fact that it captures the beginnings, challenges, and growth of young people. Above all, I absolutely loved the narrative of Han Ji-pyeong." In other interviews, he also said, "When I read the script, I was struck by its beauty. It's a story with a truly fairytale-like charm, yet at the same time, one that feels like it could actually happen. I suddenly felt like I could be a part of this story, so I was the first to say I wanted to be a part of it."
Portrayal
Kim Seon-ho revealed that he learned about the world of startups through this project. To prepare for the role, he conducted research by reading related books, studying terminology online, and watching relevant lecture videos. He cited Ji-pyeong's unique strengths as his "ability as a skilled investor and his extraordinary financial resources," highlighting his "talent and foresight in investing".Kim Seon-ho dedicated significant effort into Han Ji-pyeong's character development, paying close attention to his external presentation as a successful executive. Following the three-year time jump in the last few episodes, Kim aimed for a more mature aesthetic to reflect Ji-pyeong's growth and changes. He changed the character's hairstyle and adopted more formal attire, utilizing tailored suits and a tie to signal the progression from a young investment team leader to an executive director. Kim emphasized that his preparation covered both outward appearance and internal life. "I put a lot of effort into both his external and internal aspects," he explained. "I thought a lot about how Han Ji-pyeong would walk, how he would speak, and what facial expressions he would make," constantly perfecting the role by asking, "What would Han Ji-pyeong do?"
Kim Seon-ho further detailed his approach by explaining, "I tried to emphasize a clear distinction in Han Ji-pyeong's attitude toward each person he encounters. I thought a lot about what kind of action Ji-pyeong would take when meeting Won-deok, Dal-mi, or Do-san, and I tried out various things I had prepared after discussing them with the director." He stressed that this complexity makes Ji-pyeong a "multi-dimensional character." He noted, "His attitude clearly differs depending on who he is with," citing the varying dynamics when Ji-pyeong "meets Do-san with personal feelings, supports and helps Dal-mi from behind, or interacts with teacher Won-deok." Kim concluded that the character "embodies a gentle side, a sharp side, a witty side, as well as a sad and poignant side," which is why "so many people have come to love and support Han Ji-pyeong."
Kim Seon-ho who portrays the adult Ji-pyeong, worked diligently to ensure continuity with Nam Da-reum's as the character's high school self. The relationship with Choi Won-deok serves as the anchor for both performances across the 15-year gap. Kim Seon-ho delved into Ji-pyeong's past, believing his difficult adolescence left him with an "imperfect inner self, even though he appears mature." To maintain character consistency, he closely studied Nam Da-reum's acting. "When we filmed the sad scenes," he recounted, "the director and I watched Nam Da-reum's footage from start to finish and then shot together. I considered things like his way of speaking and other small details. Because Nam Da-reum and I are portraying the same person, I hoped viewers would naturally accept the two performances as one character's narrative and be able to empathize."
In a separate interview with Pickcon Korea, Nam Da-reum praised this effort, saying, "Kim Seon-ho referenced those parts in my acting, which I think helped the child and adult Ji-pyeong synchronize very well. He’s such a great actor. I’m grateful that he seemed to view my work kindly as well."
When asked about the similarities between his real-life persona and that of Han Ji-pyeong, Kim Seon-ho reflected, "Since I played the character of Han Ji-pyeong, I think it's probably around fifty percent. Unlike Ji-pyeong, I'm not good at saying cold things to others, and in real life, I don't have a nice home or a nice car, but since I played the role, I think I reflected at least half of myself."
Reception and impact
Second lead syndrome and fandom divide
The love triangle in the Korean drama Start-Up sparked heated debates among viewers, who split into two social media factions: "Team Han Ji-pyeong" and the main lead's "Team Nam Do-san". Han Ji-pyeong, who caused a severe case of "Second Lead Syndrome", had his supporters characterize him as a "green flag" figure, admired for his quiet acts of service and thoughtful romantic gestures toward the female lead, Seo Dal-mi. This preference was visibly reflected in a Naver Entertainment poll titled 'If I were Dal-mi ?' where, as of November 30, 2021, Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong secured an overwhelming 44,779 votes out of 55,005 participants. Consequently, the final episode led to disappointment among those who favored him as the endgame. The character even inspired the single "Siguro Nga" by the Filipino rock band Sponge Cola. Vocalist Yael Yuzon wrote the song, moved by Han's emotional journey and the sense that the character was headed for heartbreak with a lasting, "undulating kind of pain."The drama Start-Up received mixed reviews, with some naming it the best Korean drama of 2020, but others criticizing it for questionable plot holes, a loose narrative, and on how it didn't reflect the reality of startup industry. However, Han Ji-pyeong received largely positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. Seo Jae-hyun from Newsen stated that Kim Seon-ho is the only redeeming aspect of the flawed Start-Up. Kim Jae-ha of Teen Vogue remarked that the second male lead, Kim Seon-ho, "is so charismatic" that his storyline often overshadows that of the lead. This sentiment was echoed by Kharisma Shetty of GQ India, noting that Kim's "brilliant performance" as Han Ji-pyeong stole the show, stating that despite being a second lead, Ji-pyeong felt more like "the main character". In another article, GQ India also praised Ji-pyeong's fashion sense. The character continues to appear on lists of notable K-drama figures subsequent to the series' run.
Cultural influence on the Asian start-up ecosystem
Han Ji-pyeong's role as a venture capitalist, angel investor, and startup mentor generated significant buzz within the Asian startup community. His depiction as a "genius investor" prompted widespread discussion regarding the accuracy of the show's storyline. The character also contributed to a rising public interest in venture investment. He is frequently cited and mentioned in Asian media outlets that cover business, investment, related fields, and the broader start-up industry. The character's influence quickly extended beyond fiction, resulting in real-life venture capitalists being referred to as "real-life Han Ji-pyeong".This strong influence resulted in Kim Seon-ho's selection as the first brand ambassador for the Indonesian investment start-up Ajaib. The company viewed the "self-made" Han Ji-pyeong as the perfect representative, citing him as an inspiring, informal investment mentor for their millennial user base. The character's reputation as a memorable, intelligent figure remained relevant, prompting Tatler Asia to include him on a 2025 list of the 12 smartest K-drama characters.
Challenging the 'Orphan Formula' and social Impact
Han Ji-pyeong's background story depicts orphan who aged out of foster care at 18, a demographic referred to in South Korea as "youth preparing for self-reliance". This term was formally adopted in 2022, replacing the former term of "child whose protection has ended" .The character gained recognition for its positive portrayal in Son Ja-young's Media Awareness Improvement Project, part of The Beautiful Foundation's 18th Adult Campaign, which began in September 2020. Son, in collaboration with Kyunghyang Shinmun, analyzed 46 orphan characters from 40 Korean films and dramas, identifying a harmful "orphan formula" that often stereotyped orphans as psychopaths, criminals, adulteresses, or revenge-seekers. Han Ji-pyeong was commended for breaking this stereotype, with Son Ja-young stating, "Han Ji-pyeong is the 'first ordinary character' who left foster care that I've ever encountered." The Beautiful Foundation sent a handwritten letter from Son Ja-young, along with merchandise related to the webtoon "How I Ended Up in the Desert," created by campaigner Joo Kyung-min, to the drama's production team and the actor on December 20, 2020. Quoted by Export News in January 2021, they stated, "We sent a handwritten letter and gift to the Studio Dragon production team for creating the character of Han Ji-pyeong, who has been a great source of encouragement for 'youth preparing for self-reliance,' and to actor Kim Seon-ho for bringing the character to life with his excellent acting."
The foundation subsequently mentioned Han Ji-pyeong in its ongoing campaign. In July 2021, Han Chan-hee, Chairman of the Beautiful Foundation, remarked, " Additionally, the image of those who have aged out of care, as portrayed in the media, has become far more diverse. An example is the character Han Ji-pyeong, played by actor Kim Seon-ho in the drama Start-Up." As part of the Media Awareness Improvement Project, Son Ja-young organized the "Generation MZ: 18 Adults Talk About Tomorrow" event on September 3, 2022. At the event, she emphasized the crucial need to portray formerly orphaned characters as "ordinary young people" rather than through a distorted lens. The follow-up discussion used two characters as positive examples: Han Ji-pyeong from Start-Up, who was shown simply as a young man forging his life path, Cha Mi-jo from Thirty-Nine.
The campaign continued with the Media Character Awards Ceremony, organized by Son Ja-young on December 10, 2022. The awards recognized productions that best portrayed "youth preparing for self-reliance" characters and highlighted their complex nature. The winners were selected based on a survey and public voting, including input from the youth themselves. A total of 645 participants chose Oh Mi-joo from the drama Run On as the winner of the 18 Adults Award, with Han Ji-pyeong placing second.
Han Ji-pyeong is not only resonated with viewers but also inspired philanthropic actions from the actor and his fandom. In May 2021, Kim Seon-ho's global fan cafes, 'Seonhohada USA' and 'Kim Seonho Union,' donated 4.6 million won to The Beautiful Foundation. Additionally, Kim Seon-ho has celebrated his birthday for three consecutive years by donating to the Korean Red Cross to support youth preparing for self-reliance, with fans initially choosing the cause through voting. His personal donations over this period, totaling ₩250 million, have provided critical support such as daily essentials, learning devices, medical aid, and self-reliance programs.
Accolades and career impact
In 2021, Han Ji-pyeong was named one of the Seoul International Drama Awards' Characters of the Year. He was featured in an award show segment recognizing the "Avenger of Korean drama 2020," alongside Nurse Ahn Eun-young, portrayed by Jung Yu-mi, and Cha Hyun-su, played by Song Kang. His performance earned him winning emotive award at Asia Artist Award. Also the Most Popular Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, where he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Television. He also won an Actor Award at the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards.Kim Seon-ho's role in the drama boosted his international prominence, cementing his status as a rising star in Korean entertainment. During the show's run, he consistently ranked in Good Data's Top 10 Actor Buzz-worthiness for six consecutive weeks, hitting his peak at 3rd place in mid-November. That same month, the Korean Business Research Institute placed him at the top of the Actor brand reputation ranking. His social media following multiplied: his Instagram followers rose from 620,000 before the show to 2.08 million by November 19, 2020, and then exceeded 3 million within two months.
The actor's newfound fame translated into numerous endorsements. Beyond the Ajaib contract, he signed advertising deals for domestic online applications like Shinhan My Car and the shopping site 11Street, and modeled for various brands, primarily targeting South Korea and Southeast Asia. His endorsements have included clothing, electronics, cosmetics, food, e-commerce and more. Some brands endorsed by Kim reported record sales in 2021; this phenomenon has been labelled "The Kim Seon-Ho Effect", attributed to his rising influence both in South Korea and internationally. He was also featured in the 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list. Kim himself described the character as a gift to him.