Han Ji-pyeong

Han Ji-pyeong
Start-Up character
Kim Seon-ho as Han Ji-pyeong, wearing the Sandbox mentor t-shirt (2020)
First appearance
  • "Start-Up"
  • October 17, 2020
Last appearance
  • "Scale Up"
  • December 6, 2020
Created byPark Hye-ryun
Portrayed byKim Seon-ho (adult)
Nam Da-reum (teen)
In-universe information
NicknamesGordon Ramsay of Investment
Sundingie (Good Boy)
Han t'imjangnim
OccupationVenture capitalist
Start-up Mentor
Angel Investor
AffiliationSH Venture Capital
Sandbox
FamilyUnknown (orphan)
NationalitySouth Korean
BirthdayMay 7, 1984
Korean name
Hangul
한지평
RRHan Jipyeong
MRHan Chip'yŏng

Han Ji-pyeong (Korean한지평) is a fictional character created for the South Korean television series Start-Up. Directed by Oh Chung-hwan, the 16-episode-series aired on tvN from October 17 to December 6, 2020 every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST), while simultaneously streaming on Netflix in 50 countries.

Developed by the show's screenwriter Park Hye-ryun, Han Ji-pyeong was portrayed by two actors over the course of the show: Kim Seon-ho as an adult and Nam Da-reum as a teenager. Han Ji-pyeong is a venture capitalist known as the "genius investor" and the "Gordon Ramsay of the investment world" due to his sharp tongue. He first appears in the pilot episode titled "Start Up," which aired on October 17, 2020 as a team leader at SH Venture Capital. By the series' conclusion, he is promoted to executive director at the same company and also becomes an angel investor for a social startup.

Viewers identified a literary parallel to Cyrano de Bergerac due to the story's love triangle setup, with Ji-pyeong in the Cyrano role. During his adolescence, Ji-pyeong acted as a secret pen pal for Seo Dal-mi under the pseudonym Nam Do-san. Fifteen years later, he recruits the real Do-san to maintain the deception, leading both men to become romantic rivals while Ji-pyeong mentors their startup. This dynamic sparked "Second Lead Syndrome," with a significant portion of viewers favoring Ji-pyeong over the male lead.

Critical response to Ji-pyeong was positive. He was named one of the "Characters of the Year" at the 2021 Seoul International Drama Awards. For his performance, Kim Seon-ho received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor Television at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards and 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 series, Kim was featured on the 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list.

Characterization

Han Ji-pyeong is one of the main characters in the television series Start-Up. The story centers on young entrepreneurs at Sandbox, a fictional startup accelerator in Seoul, mirroring Silicon Valley.[1] Han is introduced in the pilot episode as Han t'imjangnim (한 팀장님; 'Team leader Han') at SH Venture Capital,[A] the investment firm that oversees and manages Sandbox under a shared leadership structure headed by CEO Yoon Seon-hak.[2][3][4]

Ji-pyeong is characterized as a genius investor and the "Gordon Ramsay of investment world" within the series' universe. This reputation stems from his ability to identify high-potential startups and a direct communication style defined by blunt, rigorous evaluations of business proposals. His status as a leading professional executive is further established by his features in men's magazines.[2][5][6]

Ji-pyeong's professional success as a venture capitalist is defined by a multi-million dollars salary and the ownership of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.[7] He resides in a luxury apartment overlooking the Han River.[8] In his apartment, he installed Jang Yeong-sil,[9] the Jiphyeonjeon Tech AI speaker that functioned as a smart secretary and home automation. He frequently asks the device questions, receiving a mixture of nonsensical and insightful advice. These interactions with an AI character highlight his underlying loneliness and social isolation, contrasting his wealth with a lack of meaningful human connection.[5][10]

Storyline

Background

In the pilot episode titled "Start-Up", Ji-pyeong is a speaker at a Sandbox startup lecture alongside CEO Yoon Seon-hak (Seo Yi-sook) and guest speaker Won In-jae (Kang Han-na). During the session, he recognizes Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) in the audience, triggering a flashback to fifteen years prior. At that time, Ji-pyeong was an orphan who aged out of foster care at 18 and received a government stipend of two million won to begin an independent life. Facing immediate homelessness, he is taken in by Choi Won-deok, the owner of a small corn dog shop, who affectionately called him as Sundingi (순딩이; 'gentle'). At her request, he adopts the pseudonym "Nam Do-san" as a secret pen pal for Dal-mi, establishing a correspondence that provides her with critical emotional support following her parents' divorce.[11][12]

Ji-pyeong demonstrated an early aptitude for finance by winning first place in an investment competition, earning 100 million won in virtual currency as a prize. Later, while living in Won-deok’s shop and managing its bank deposits, he invested her eight million won in savings into the stock market and increased the amount tenfold.[10][13] He planned to use these profits to fund for his university education. A misunderstanding later developed when he mistakenly accused Won-deok of using his investment gains to support Dal-mi's father business.[14] Before he left for university, Won-deok gave him a new pair of shoes and promised that he could always return to her in times of hardship.[10]

Mentorship and love triangle arc

After the event, Ji-pyeong follows Dal-mi to locate Won-deok. He visits Won-deok at her food truck the next day and offers to purchase a physical store to settle his past debt, an offer she refuses. Later, Won-deok asks Ji-pyeong to help find the real Nam Do-san. Dal-mi's estranged sister, In-jae, invites her to a networking event, and Dal-mi claims she will bring Do-san. Ji‑pyeong locates Do‑san, the struggling founder of Samsan Tech, and persuades him to pose as Dal‑mi's long‑lost pen pal using the childhood letters Ji‑pyeong has kept for fifteen years. Do‑san agrees on the condition that Samsan Tech be allowed to enter Sandbox, a request Ji‑pyeong initially rejects. Moved by the letters, Do‑san attends the event despite the refusal. Ji‑pyeong lends Do‑san his convertible to impress Dal‑mi, and the deception continues as both Do‑san and Won‑deok seek to protect Dal‑mi's feelings, with Ji‑pyeong reluctantly assisting.[12][15]

At the 12th Sandbox Hackathon, Dal-mi, In-jae, and the Samsan Tech founders meet to compete. Dal-mi recruits the Samsan Tech team and designer Jung Sa-ha, serving as CEO for the duration of the competition. After the team is accepted into Sandbox, she continues her role and selects Ji-pyeong as their mentor. Ji-pyeong initially expresses skepticism regarding their project for the visually impaired, the NoonGil app, due to its high burn rate and lack of profitable business model. However, he eventually provides guidance to Dal-mi on startup operations and leadership. A romantic rivalry emerges as Do-san maintains the persona of the childhood pen pal while Ji-pyeong develops feelings for Dal-mi. On the eve of Demo Day, Dal-mi discovers the truth about the letters, which leads Ji-pyeong to confess his feelings to her.[16]

On Demo Day, Samsan Tech co‑founder Yong‑san blames Ji‑pyeong for his brother's death, alleging Ji‑pyeong's harsh feedback at a previous Demo Day as the reason. The accusation shocks Ji‑pyeong and causes him to miss the current event. With their NoonGil app, Samsan Tech defeats In‑jae Company and receives an acquihire offer from Alex Kwon of 2STO. Because Ji-pyeong, as mentor, is not informed, he cannot prevent the contract signing, which recruits only the engineering team and excludes Dal-mi and Sa-ha. After learning that Won-deok depends on the NoonGil app due to failing eyesight, Ji-pyeong helps Do-san negotiate with Alex to ensure the project's continued maintenance before the engineers depart for Silicon Valley.[10]

Three years later, after a promotion, his title is Han sangmunim (한 상무님; 'Executive Director Han')[A] Although he continues to provide support to Dal-mi as she serves as the CEO of Cheongmyeong Company, the two have not entered a romantic relationship yet. When Do-san returns from Silicon Valley, their rivalry reignites.[17] Ji-pyeong eventually steps aside to prioritize Dal-mi's happiness, realizing that his background as an orphan may prevent him from providing a complete family. Seeking closure, he asks Do-san to return Dal-mi's letters to him and later informs Dal-mi that he is not the Nam Do-san from the letters.[18] During the series finale, Ji-pyeong encounters Hong Ji-seok, a founder seeking funding for a social startup focused on youth preparing for self-reliance.[B] Recognizing that the startup does not meet SH Venture's investment criteria, Ji-pyeong personally invests as an angel investor and provides mentorship, mirroring the assistance Won-deok once provided him.[20][21]

Development

Creation

The character Han Ji-pyeong was conceived by screenwriter Park Hye-ryun for a miniseries first announced in late 2019 under the working title Sandbox.[22] Director Oh Chung-hwan stated that the series' concept, which explores the idea of "Korea's Silicon Valley," underwent a two-year development period before its October 2020 premiere.[23] This fictional startup accelerator was modeled after SparkLabs, a global startup accelerator founded in South Korea in 2012. Lee Hee-yoon, a director at SparkLabs, served as the primary advisor for the drama. Former Major League Baseball player Chan Ho Park, a venture partner at the actual firm, also made a cameo appearance in the series.[24]

The production marked a milestone for History D&C; CEO Hwang Ki-yong confirmed it as the studio's inaugural release following his departure from iHQ.[25] By February 2020, the series was officially added to the 2020 tvN drama lineup under its finalized title, Start-Up; the change from Sandbox was implemented to prevent brand confusion with an existing South Korean multi-channel network.[23]

While early casting reports provided brief descriptions of the role, detailed character profiles remained undisclosed until their publication on the official tvN website.[2] In August 2020, reports indicated that the production adopted a naming convention based on railway stations to distinguish the protagonists from real-world corporate figures. Han Ji-pyeong's given name was derived from Ji-pyeong Station.[26]

Casting

Nam Da-reum (top) who portrayed teenage Han Ji-pyeong and Kim Seon-ho (bottom) who portrayed adult Han Ji-pyeong

Reports concerning the casting for the drama, initially titled Sandbox, began in November 2019, with Suzy and Nam Joo-hyuk named as potential leads.[27] However, it was the casting of Kim Seon-ho that was first confirmed in January 2020.[28]

Nam Da-reum was officially cast as younger Han Ji-pyeong in August 2020. Nam has frequently portrayed the younger versions of protagonists in projects written by Park Hye-ryun, including the Oh Chung-hwan-directed series While You Were Sleeping. Regarding his casting, Nam remarked, "I'm so happy to be able to work with writer Park Hye-ryun and director Oh Chung-hwan again in the final days of my teenage years. I want to repay their trust 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."[29][30]

During the Start-Up press conference on October 12, 2020, director Oh stated that he cast Kim Seon-ho after consulting the actor's theater colleagues, "After listening to their stories, I thought, 'Wow, this kind of person could definitely play the role of Han Ji-pyeong,' and cast him. On set, Kim Seon-ho actually gave us more than 200% of what we expected."[31] Oh added, "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 (순딩이; 'gentle'). I thought he was an actor with that kind of side."[23]

Kim Seon-ho accepted the role after reading five episodes of the script. His decision was driven by an interest in working with writer Park Hye-ryun and director Oh Chung-hwan, as he had previously enjoyed I Can Hear Your Voice, Pinocchio, The Doctors, and Hotel del Luna.[32] Kim noted his attraction to the script's portrayal of youth development and challenges. He specifically highlighted Han Ji-pyeong's narrative as a primary factor in his interest.[33] 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."[34]

Portrayal

Even with Start-Up, at the beginning I doubted myself a lot and wondered if I was doing well. At first I portrayed the character a little heavier and sharper, but because it’s a youth drama we decided to soften him a bit, and we’ve been adjusting that as we go. Adding more wit and bringing out fun situations more. In the end that made the story flow more naturally and helped a lot. Still, at the start I was anxious because some aspects were different from the character I’d planned in advance. Ji-pyeong? Here? Really do it like that? I felt I needed Do-san to blend in more with Dal-mi, but I didn’t realize that then. So now I’m really grateful to the director. It’s become much more natural, and the drama feels more comfortable too.

Kim, in an interview quoted by Esquire Korea[34]

Kim Seon-ho carefully crafted the character of Han Ji-pyeong, stating, "I put a lot of effort into both his external and internal aspects. 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?" To portray a convincing executive, Kim collaborated with his team to curate costumes that reflected Han's professional status. Following the story's three-year time jump, he adopted a more sophisticated appearance by adjusting his hairstyle and clothing to portray Han's career progression from a young investment manager to an executive director.[31][35]

Kim also noted that the role introduced him to the startup industry, prompting him to prepare by reading books, studying online and watching lectures to familiarize himself with startup terminology. He identified Ji-pyeong's "talent and foresight in investing" as a unique strengths, specifically citing his "ability as a skilled investor and his extraordinary financial resources."[33]

Kim collaborated closely with the director to develop distinct interpersonal dynamics for Han Ji-pyeong, noting that the character's attitude "clearly differs depending on who he is with."[35][36] He sought to highlight these unique behaviors, whether Ji-pyeong is acting on personal feelings toward Do-san, supporting Dal-mi from the shadows, or showing vulnerability toward Won-deok. He stressed that this complexity makes Ji-pyeong a "multi-dimensional character." Kim concluded that the character "embodies a gentle side, a sharp side, a witty side, as well as a sad and poignant side." According to him, this led many viewers to "love and support Han Ji-pyeong."[37] He also interpreted Ji-pyeong's adult composure as a mask for an "imperfect inner self" shaped by past hardships.[33]

To maintain character consistency over the 15-year narrative gap, the relationship with Choi Won-deok (Kim Hae-sook) serves as an anchor for both performances. Kim analyzed Nam's portrayal of the adolescent Ji-pyeong,[38] noting, "When we filmed the sad scenes, the director and I watched Nam Da-reum's footages 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."[39] In a separate interview with Pickcon Korea, Nam commented, "Actor 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 am grateful that he seemed to view my work kindly as well."[40]

Reflecting on his similarities to the role, Kim stated: "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."[35][41]

Impact and legacy

Reception

"Han Ji-pyeong in Start-Up embodies all the strengths Kim Seon-ho showed in 2 Days & 1 Night, with an added layer of 'sharpness.' This sharpness doesn't come off as arrogant or mean; rather, it's a character who offers blunt advice with care, providing comfort in this era. In 2 Days & 1 Night, Kim Seon-ho is competitive but steps up to embrace the team at critical moments, playing a role that 'sets the stage' for others. His warm and stable character fits well in any group, so it seems his real-life image is being utilized in the drama as well."

Pop culture critic Kim Sung-soo, in an interview quoted by Yonhap News[42]

The drama Start-Up received mixed reviews upon release, with some naming it the best Korean drama of 2020.[43][44] Others criticized the series for its questionable plot holes,[45] a loose narrative,[46] and a perceived lack of realism regarding the startup industry.[47]

In contrast, the character Han Ji-pyeong received largely positive reviews from critics and viewers alike.[36][42] In a Forbes interview, Jeanie Y. Chang praised him as a symbol of "hope" whose triumph over adversity resonated with audiences.[48] Seo Jae-hyun from Newsen stated that Kim Seon-ho is the only redeeming aspect of the flawed Start-Up.[18] Kim Jae-ha of Teen Vogue remarked that the second male lead, Kim, "is so charismatic" that his storyline often overshadows that of the lead.[49] 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, he felt more like "the main character".[50] In another article, GQ India also praised Ji-pyeong's fashion sense.[51] Tatler Asia saw him as a "green flag" figure.[52] The character continues to appear on lists of notable K-drama figures subsequent to the series' run.[53][54]

The drama's love triangle polarized social media into two factions: "Team Han Ji-pyeong" (also known as "Team Good Boy") and the main lead's "Team Nam Do-san". Ji-pyeong became a definitive case of "Second Lead Syndrome,"[55][56] with a significant portion of viewers favoring Ji-pyeong as Seo Dal-mi's romantic partner.[57][58][59] A November 2021 Naver Entertainment poll titled "If I were Dal-mi?" demonstrated this preference, with 81% of 55,005 participants (44,779) chosing Ji-pyeong.[60] Consequently, the series finale led to widespread disappointment when Ji-pyeong and Dal-mi did not end up together.[61]

Ji-pyeong's arc inspired vocalist Yael Yuzon of the Filipino rock band Sponge Cola to write the single "Siguro Nga". The song was composed to reflect the character's emotional trajectory and "heartbreak," which Yuzon described as a "lasting undulating pain."[62] Viewers also identified a literary parallel to Cyrano de Bergerac due to the story's love triangle setup, with Ji-pyeong in the Cyrano role. Esquire editor Oh Seong-yun noted that Ji-pyeong carried the narrative's emotional weight, even though the "ghostwriter" figure typically faces a tragic end and genre tropes favored a Dal-mi and Do-san endgame.[34]

International adaptations featured different narrative outcomes for the character. In the Philippine series Start-Up PH (2022), the character was renamed Tristan and played by Alden Richards.[63][64] This version modified the romantic ending due to the prevalence of second lead syndrome among local viewers during the original run.[65] The 2024 Thai remake renamed the character as Jiraphat and portrayed by Sapol Assawamunkong, however it retained the original conclusion where the character remains the second lead.[66]

Challenging the 'Orphan Formula' in media

Han Ji-pyeong was an orphan who aged out of foster care at 18, a demographic referred to in South Korea as Charipchunbich'ŏngnyŏn (자립준비청년; 'Youth preparing for self-reliance').[B][19] During a September 2020 campaign for The Beautiful Foundation, researcher Son Ja-young analyzed 40 Korean dramas and identified a harmful "orphan formula" that typically stereotyped such characters as criminals or outcasts. The character was praised for breaking this stereotypes, with Son noting: "Han Ji-pyeong is the 'first ordinary character' who left foster care that I've ever encountered." To acknowledge this impact, the foundation sent a handwritten letter from Son and merchandise from Joo Kyung-min's webtoon How I Ended Up in the Desert on December 20, 2020.[67] In a statement to 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."[68]

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 orphaned characters as "ordinary young people" rather than through a distorted lens. The follow-up discussion mentioned two characters as positive examples: Han Ji-pyeong from Start-Up and Cha Mi-jo (Son Ye-jin) from Thirty-Nine.[69][70][71]

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 (Shin Se-kyung) from the drama Run On as the winner of the Eightheen Adults Award category, with Han Ji-pyeong placing second.[72]

The series' cast and fanbases have also supported "youth preparing for self-reliance" through donations. In late April 2021, Bae Suzy donated ₩100 million to the Happiness Sharing Association to support children in orphanages and those preparing for self-reliance.[73] In May 2021, global fan cafes Seonhohada USA and Kim Seonho Union donated ₩4.6 million to The Beautiful Foundation.[74] Moreover, Kim Seon-ho has celebrated his birthday for three consecutive years (2023–2025) by donating to the Korean Red Cross to support youth preparing for self-reliance, with fans initially choosing the cause through voting.[75] 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.[76][77][78]

Influence on the Asian start-up community

Han Ji-pyeong's portrayal as a venture capitalist, angel investor, and startup mentor generated widespread discussion within the Asian startup community,[79] with several debates focusing on the accuracy of the show's portrayal of the startup industry [24][80][81] Reviewing the series for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's The Tech, Gloria Lin and Levi Villarreal noted that the technical aspects of the series were "more believable and detail-oriented" than those in typical Korean drama.[82] Media also analyzed key business and investment takeaways from the show,[83][84][85] particularly regarding venture capital,[86] and the startup industry.[87][88][89]

Several industry-focused publications noted that the character significantly increased public awareness of the venture capital field. Writing for the Seoul Economic Daily, Yeon Seung observed that Ji-pyeong's popularity coincided with growing public interest in venture capital.[90] This sentiment was echoed by VC Discovery Webzine, a publication of the Korea Venture Capital Association, which credited Ji-pyeong with promoting their profession.[91] Industry insiders, as reported by Deal Site's Ryu Seok, viewed the portrayal as realistic, particularly in its depiction of the trust-based partnerships required between startups and investors.[8] The media began using the moniker "real-life Han Ji-pyeong" to identify real-life venture capitalists.[92][93] Following the series' broadcast, Ji-pyeong also became a frequent point of reference in Asian media coverage of business,[89] investment,[94][95] and related professional fields.[96][97]

In 2021, the Indonesian fintech firm Ajaib appointed Kim Seon-ho as its first brand ambassador,[98] specifically utilizing the Han Ji-pyeong persona to anchor its marketing campaigns. Ajaib executives stated the character's narrative background as a self-made professional with a reputation for investment expertise was selected to serve as a relatable mentor for a millennial user base.[99][100] Years after the show's release, the character continues to be cited as memorable,[101] including a 2025 feature by Tatler Asia listing him among the twelve smartest K-drama characters.[102]

Impact on actor's career

The role substantially increased Kim Seon-ho's international visibility.[103] During the show's run, he ranked in Good Data's Top 10 Actor Buzz-worthiness for six consecutive weeks, hitting his peak at 3rd place in mid-November.[104] That same month, the Korean Business Research Institute ranked him first in its Actor Brand Reputation index.[105] His social media following multiplied: his Instagram followers rose from 620,000 before the show to 2.08 million by November 19, 2020,[106] and then exceeded 3 million within two months.[107] This led to numerous domestic and international endorsements across the technology, food, and fashion sectors.[108] Media reports in 2021 coined the "Kim Seon-ho effect" to describe sales increases at several partner brands.[109]

Kim has described the character of Han Ji-pyeong as a "gift."[13] In 2021, Han Ji-pyeong was named one of the Seoul International Drama Awards' Characters of the Year, featured in an award show segment recognizing the "Avenger of Korean drama 2020."[110] For his performance, Kim received the Emotive Award at the Asia Artist Award[111] and the Actor Award at the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards.[112] He was also voted Most Popular Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, where he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Television.[113] Further recognition included his placement on the 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list.[107]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Starting as Han t'imjangnim (한 팀장님; 'Team leader Han'), at SH Ventures, Han Ji-pyeong was promoted to Han sangmunim (한 상무님; 'Executive Director Han') three years later. His colleagues, including Dal-mi, consistently used these professional titles when addressing him.
  2. ^ a b Charipchunbich'ŏngnyŏn (자립준비청년; 'Youth preparing for self-reliance') is term depicting orphan who was aged out from foster care system. This term was formally adopted in 2022, replacing the former term of Pohojongnyoadong (보호종료아동; 'child whose protection has ended')[19]

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