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A low dropout (LDO) circuit capable of controlled startup and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The LDO circuit includes an amplifier, a pass element, and a startup control circuit. The amplifier receives a feedback voltage determined by an output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, and provides a first voltage determined by the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. The pass element is connected to an input power and an output node for providing the output voltage. The startup control circuit includes a current source, and forward one of the first voltage, provided by the amplifier based on the level of the output voltage, and a second voltage, generated using the current source, to the gate of the pass element.