Start-Up is a perfectly watchable K-drama that markets itself as a tech entrepreneurship story but delivers mostly romantic angst with startup set dressing. If your teen loves K-dramas and has shown interest in business or tech, this could be a decent entry point—the production quality is solid and it does touch on real startup concepts.
That said, be prepared for the romance to completely overshadow the innovation storyline. The love triangle is divisive (many viewers find it exhausting), and character decisions can be frustrating rather than enlightening. It's not going to inspire the next Gen Z founder, but it won't rot their brain either.
The IMDb 7.9 vs Letterboxd 3.4 split tells you everything: it's popular but polarizing. Some people love the emotional drama; others find it a slog. At 16 episodes, it's a commitment, so make sure your teen is actually into K-dramas before diving in.