Typhoon Family

태풍상사 ‧ Drama ‧ 2025
Completed
introverted kdrama lover
12 people found this review helpful
Nov 30, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Stability in Unstable Times

This drama clearly showed that even in the midst of crisis, survival is possible...particularly when one is held together by a sense of family, even when that family isn’t blood-related. Tae-poong, the male lead, faced the sudden death of his father, who ran a trading company called Typhoon Family. Coincidentally, his father died on the same day the South Korean IMF crisis hit, leaving many businesses in shambles and some completely closed.
Determined, Tae-poong took over his late father’s company and worked to guide its employees toward stability amid the economic storm. The drama did a commendable job of illustrating how each employee’s life was disrupted by both the IMF crisis and the loss of their boss and yet many still chose to return to Typhoon Family to support their new captain. Bold, right?!
What stood out most to me was how the employees collectively gave their all to stabilize the company, even under severe financial strain. Each individual revealed distinct strengths from sales and accounting to networking and language skills highlighting the value of teamwork during uncertainty. The female lead, Mi-seon, was portrayed as a smart, hardworking, and resilient trader who faced criticism from a colleague simply for being a woman in the field, the nerve! Her perseverance and eventual recognition reinforced her position as a capable professional and, quite frankly, a boss lady.
Beyond the workplace, the romance between Tae-poong and Mi-seon was genuinely charming. Their chemistry felt organic, and their mutual support (both professionally and personally ) added emotional warmth to an otherwise tense narrative.
Another notable aspect was how the drama portrayed different forms of family and personal hardship, including single-parent households and children without parental support. These narratives added emotional depth and grounded the story in social reality, making moments of success feel genuinely earned.
That said, the drama isn’t without its shortcomings. The recurring “loss-win” cycle repeated setbacks followed by recovery at times felt overly repetitive and slowed the pacing. This may be a deal breaker for some viewers; however, within the context of an economic and business drama set during a financial crisis, the repetition felt thematically justified, as it reflected the unstable nature of businesses at the time. Additionally, while Mi-seon eventually earned respect in the workplace, the early depiction of sexism was difficult to watch. Although it was addressed later, those initial episodes were particularly frustrating.
Overall, this was a heartfelt drama that thoughtfully explored resilience, teamwork, love and family in all its forms. It remains both emotionally engaging and intellectually grounded, making it well worth watching.

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Ongoing 16/16
Tangerinela
30 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 2
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 6.0

you'll regret not to start this one

It's been a long time since a series captivated me this much. it's only 4 episode out but I loved every single scene of it. From the story to the acting ,dialogs and the soundtrack, every detail has been flawless so far. a perfcet chemistry between main leads which i can't wait for there relationship to bloom . honestly, These days I usually drop most shows, but I'm really looking forward to the next episode of this one. this is the exact scenario that I've been waiting for it for so long. I hope it continues to be this great until the very end .
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Ongoing 16/16
Aidzjk
30 people found this review helpful
Oct 19, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Why still thinking abt it!? Just start watching it

For me am not a fan of economic series that include corporate bankruptcy but the vibes here make u love watching the series despite urself nd get excited abt what will happen in the upcoming episodes and think about solutions to whether the male lead will succeed in this deal or not. Anyways i won't spoil nd i'll say watch this u won't regret it just trust me!!!
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Completed
Elmond_u
19 people found this review helpful
Nov 1, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

The Power of Character-Driven Storytelling

Stories about characters striving to achieve their dreams are always special. When done right, such shows can be both eye-opening and deeply motivational. Typhoon Family is exactly that — a brilliant blend of likable, relatable characters, consistently realistic storytelling, and timeless themes of determination, selflessness, and hard work.

Set against the dreary backdrop of an economically unstable Korea, this drama is easily one of my favorite releases of the year.

The main character is as good as it gets — smart, charming, youthful, kind, and undeniably handsome. I could go on and on about Kang Tae-poong, but what truly stands out is how perfectly Lee Junho embodies him. Tae-poong often finds himself in over his head, yet he’s never afraid to ask for help, never afraid to fail, and never afraid to try again. He’s resilient and optimistic, and his tenacious willingness to never give up is truly the heart of this story. With his passion, sharp instincts, and strong support system, he is bound to succeed.

Our female lead complements him beautifully. She’s intelligent, dutiful, and far more than just a romantic interest. She’s a fully developed character with her own struggles and obstacles to overcome. The supporting cast also contributes meaningfully, each serving the story. In the end, it felt like each character experienced substantial, life-changing personal growth, the standout for me being Tae Poong's mom. No matter what direction the plot took, I always stayed engaged because of the character stories. They were just people doing what they could to survive in a bleak period in history, while supporting their loved ones. That really spoke to me.

Admittedly, I haven't been watching kdramas for that long. But from my experience, kdrama writers honestly suck at writing complex villains, mostly. But I think the villain is a lot more complex than most people realize. If you pay close attention, you'll catch the subtle hints about his personlity and motivations in his dialogue with other characters, especially his father. He isn’t just a chaotic troublemaker—he’s driven by insecurity, entitlement, and a lifelong inferiority complex toward Tae Poong. Pyo kid’s bitterness grows as he keeps losing to someone(Tae Poong) he now considers “beneath” him, and the pressure from his abusive father only deepens his desperation. He's incapable of succeeding onvis own because he lacks necessary skills and knowledge, yet he isn't humble enough to learn. So he directs his efforts towards destroying Tae Poong hoping that will prove his father wrong, but it always backfores on him. He's an annoying yet well-written villain.

Typhoon Family is very much a character-driven drama. The plot, however, never feels lacking. Sure, there's a disproportionate amount of losses as against wins, but I was thoroughly entertained. There are a few plot holes mostly in the business side of things. You'd likely notice them but they aren't massive enough to stifle your enjoyment of the show.

Themes of ambition, greed, trust, perseverance, the balance of risk and reward, etc. are woven neatly into the narrative, delivering powerful life and business lessons along the way. I know I’ve personally learned a thing or two.

Watching this show was a wonderful experience which taught me two things. One, I can always trust Kim Minha to choose the right scripts, and two, I should never judge an actor after seeing just one of their projects. I absolutely did not like Lee Junho after I watched King the Land. I detested that show. Now, I absolutely love him. I look forward to watching more of him. This show was both an inspiring breath of fresh air and a massive beat down, and I'm so glad I found it.

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Completed
SunsetChill
3 people found this review helpful
28 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

Had potential but Typhoon broke into a drizzle

First I thought overall the cast were all fine. For most of the main employees you had some side story / subplot.

Overall the story was just not strong. It was like endless setbacks and incidents to make any sane person quit. The ML went from a club kid to running his Father's business with zero business knowledge but has a good heart and wants to do the right thing for the company and his father's employee's.

There is limited romance as the ML / FL are just starting to explore their feelings for each other, while FL sister after a few weeks of dating on & off is planning marriage??! (FL sister is super cute).

I also felt there was going to be more to the FL Grandmother and the ML Mother. They touch on things but it doesn't really shape into much. It's mostly one business fire after another and getting endless bad luck.

All said it's a decent show just was expecting something bigger for the payoff / ending.

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Ongoing 16/16
Aigoo_Just1MoreEpisode
17 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

A Must Watch

"Typhoon Family" hits all the right notes. From the moment the first episode ended, I was completely invested, something few shows can manage. The series features a moving, emotionally resonant storyline that feels deeply authentic, supported by a universally fantastic cast. Specifically, Lee Junho's performance is a standout—he embodies his role with a mesmerizing skill that makes you instantly connect with his journey. And we can't forget the soundtrack: HAN's "Updraft" perfectly captures the show's spirit. An exceptional watch from start to finish!
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Completed
Zogitt
9 people found this review helpful
Dec 1, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 11
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0

Never give in! Hwaiting!

This is a quality drama, that I can attest. I wish I can say it is a fun watch for me as well. This is both its strength and its weakness.

Firstly, this show is all about Lee Jun Ho. He is ably assisted by Kim Min Ha. Their chemistry is nice and sweet. There is no doubt who carried the show though. The ML made it watchable even when the going gets tough. LJH seldom disappoints and he brought his A-game to this party.

Secondly, this drama did a great job portraying the so-called IMF Crisis circa 1997-2001. They did well to replicate the look and feel of the era. The A-plot is strongly focused on the fallout of that economic crisis and its impact on Koreans. It is not all gloom and doom but those are harsh years.

We watch the ML and his team struggle. It is not just your typical daily grind. We are talking about extinction level events. This gets even more complicated when you factor in the antagonist's machinations.

Speaking of the antagonist, the father and son duo are somewhat overblown. You’d think they are criminal masterminds. Not so, at least not going by textbook definitions. The father is a shrewd businessman, and he is willing to play dirty to get what he wants. His son is worse as he is a vain, spoiled brat who has some serious anger and daddy issues. I know it is dog-eat-dog out there, but they are singularly focused on the destruction of Typhoon Trading.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't find it a fun watch. The ML and his team worked their collective butts off. They have small wins, but their joy always turns to dismay before the end credit rolls. It is unrelenting.

Your level of enjoyment will depend on expectations and forbearance. The ML helps the medicine go down, but it is still a bitter pill.

As expected, this test the ensemble cast's mantle. The senior cast did well. There is depth to most characters. Having said that, the 2CP storyline does feel a little tacked on. They are a nice CP, but their romance has very little to do with the A-plot.

This presents me with a conundrum. It is a variation of the form over function argument. While I can appreciate many aspects of this quality production. I would be lying if I say I look forward to each episode with relish. Time and again, I groan inwardly as the same "how low can it go" formula is repeated. Not only is it depressing, but it also makes the progression quite predictable. Thankfully, after several iterations, we finally reached the end game.

I'm not go to spoil the ending. Let’s just say it followed the well worn path. While the last ep is probably the most enjoyable in the series, it also feels a little disassociated from the rest. There is certainly a marked shift in tone.

Reluctantly, I have decided to deduct 1 point from my score. I need to balance the style vs enjoyment equation. This is a thought-provoking show. A show that will stay with me for some time, yet it will not be in my rewatch list. Peace.

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Completed
televorer
6 people found this review helpful
Nov 30, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

A drama that shows hope and people' trust in you can help you survive all types of difficulties

I do think the charater development of ML is well written. I have seen how Kang tae poong character growth from spoiled rich kid into mature CEO and FL who as given up on dream because of crisis to strong person who have achieved her dreams

Even though the plot cliche's are repetitive but it shows diff problems seen in tading company at diff phases. Life is one repetitive circle and businesses are no exemption. But the businesses have playbooks to solve every problem. But here with ML adventurous personality and can do anything attitude has lead them into major hardtimes which are unusual but always ending up with satisfying success

I also like how they showed experienced people who have flaunted their knowledge and superiority can mess up big time and has to learn the lessons hardway

I also like how IMF crisis has been potrayed. It not about people losing everything but how this person actually turns out especially when they are in crisis situation

So far the pace was good from EP 1 -14. But the plot has been inconsistent at the end but i do like the second half of ep 16

I would definitely recommend this to watch this show at winter break at your leisure time who is ready to watch a show based on characters and their individual stories


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Completed
Chantal_789
6 people found this review helpful
Nov 30, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0

A Storm of Talent, A Breeze of Flaws

ACTING HEAVYWEIGHTS: THE CAST THAT DELIVERS

If you watch for nothing else, tune in for the performances. Lee Junho is the show’s pulse, taking Kang Tae Poong from reckless Apgujeong kid to a man changed by family responsibilities. Every emotion hits deeply. Kim Min Ha matches him with warmth and grit as she navigates both workplace and family troubles. Kim Min Seok and Kwon Han Sol round out a cast that sparks with chemistry. It’s an acting masterclass—full stop.

‘ROMANCE REDEFINED’: LOVE, NO CHEESE REQUIRED

Forget predictable romance. The leads’ connection grows quietly and honestly—never forced, always intentional. You’ll remember the blushing beachside kiss, but it’s their easy partnership in both life and business that sets them apart. This is K-drama romance with real depth: subtle, refreshing, and genuinely worth rooting for.

RETRO VIBES, FOUND FAMILY FEELS, AND A MOTHER’S REINVENTION

From retro gadgets to the buzz of a fax machine, Typhoon Family nails late ’90s nostalgia. The early episodes hum with both collective anxiety and resilience from the IMF crisis—history as atmosphere. But the real heart is family, both by blood and by choice.

Kim Ji Young’s journey as TaePoong’s mother is a true revelation. She transforms from a sheltered wife into a self-reliant matriarch, quietly taking charge when everything seems on the brink. Watching her steady the ship—caring for her son, Miho, Beom, and even Grandma—brings a layer of authentic warmth and strength that’s hard to resist. Her scenes are a blend of tenderness and grit, showing how survival sometimes means inventing yourself anew, even as the world falls apart.

Even so, I often wished for more everyday moments between TaePoong, his mother, and the rest of the found family. While there are touching scenes, TaePoong sometimes feels on the sidelines in these relationships. A few more shared meals, quiet conversations, or simple family routines could have deepened the sense of connection and made their bonds even more believable.

WHERE THE STORM FIZZLES: FLAT VILLAINS AND RECYCLED CONFLICTS

Not everything hits the mark. The promising IMF backdrop gets pushed aside pretty quickly, and the main antagonists—especially Pyo Hyeon Ju—start strong but fall into repetitive patterns. Pyo Hyeon Ju, in particular, feels more like a plot device at times, with schemes that come off as over-the-top and lacking real emotional stakes. Instead of evolving or surprising us, the villains stick to the same playbook—tantrums, petty setbacks, and even burning inventory (yes, literally)—which might move the story forward but doesn’t add much tension.

It’s a shame because the villains never feel like they’re truly worth the leads’ struggles, and that takes the edge off the drama. A deeper dive into their motivations or backstories could have added more emotional weight to their clashes with the leads, making the story more engaging overall.

THE FINAL WHIRLWIND

The last few episodes finally pick up steam, bringing a well-earned sense of hope and connection. Despite its flaws, Typhoon Family offers genuine warmth and moving moments, making its celebration of resilience and togetherness linger long after the final credits. Typhoon Family ultimately finds clarity about resilience and chosen family—even if it takes a winding road to get there. When the show leans into these themes, it doesn’t just weather the storm; it glows.

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Completed
Dg457
7 people found this review helpful
Dec 1, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

Important messages but with lackluster execution

When I started watching Typhoon Family, I was initially hooked by its premise. I am a big fan of media that cover real events and ever since I got into kdramas, I've been interested to learn more about Korean society. As someone who comes from a country (Greece) that had experienced a big crisis a decade ago, I was immediately pulled by Typhoon Family's plot, which centered around the IMF crisis in the 1990s.

The first episodes were engaging and gave me everything I needed in order to keep watching. We got introduced to Typhoon Trading, its employees and Kang Tae Poong, the main character who's the son of Typhoon Trading's CEO, Kang Ji Yeong. As tragedy hits the Kang family after Ji Yeong's death and the declaration of the IMF crisis, Tae Poong must learn to navigate through life and provide for his family. In order to do so, he becomes the CEO of his father's company. And this, his journey begins.

Tae Poong was an interesting character, one who won me over from the moment he got introduced. From very early on, the writers had established his contrasting personality: although he appeared to be a playboy and reckless person, he was very sensitive and he cared about his family. He had inherited a passion for flowers from his father and he owned his own greenhouse of flowers, which he wanted to share with his father. But death came soon and Tae Poong had to move quickly.

I liked how the drama showed him taking action immediately after his father's death. Tae Poong might have appeared to be hot-aired but the moment the circumstances required it, he took responsibility and acknowledged his duties as a son and as the future Typhoon Trading's CEO. He wasn't the cliche main character who starts off as a jerk and warms up later. He was always kind hearted and he always cared about his closed ones.

Throughout the whole series, Tae Poong undergoes lots of trouble. While trying to find his footing in the company, his plans weren't very successful and he suffered great loses. But his loss made his determination stronger. He didn't give up and he always found a way to save the day with one way or another. His resilience and optimism were inspiring and made me root for him to succeed.

Mi Seon made for an equally interesting female lead. Her quiet yet determined nature made me love her from the beginning. She was clever, competent and she was always there to help Tae Poong and the company. Her loyalty towards Tae Poong's father and Typhoon Trading in general was so compelling, I could feel her desperation to save the company and how seriously she treated her duties. It was touching to see her care so much for those around her but at the same time, watching her neglecting her own dreams and bury her feelings broke my heart. She was a giver and a protector who provided for everyone except herself. Her development was so pivotal because she needed to learn not only to stand up for herself but be more open about her own wants to.

Alongside Tae Poong and Mi Seon, the rest of the characters shined as well. I love character driven stories and for the most part, Typhoon Family did not disappoint in that aspect. Although the main plot revolved around Tae Poong and Mi Seon, the secondary characters quickly became the heart of the show and I always looked forward to their scenes. Their relationships and heartfelt moments made my heart melt and I became very attached to my found family.

One of my most favourite secondary characters was Tae Poong's mom. I am so happy that she wasn't portrayed as a stereotypical strict and abusive mom, the type we usually see in kdramas. She might not have had a business-like mind like her husband or son but she was equally strong. Her development was so good to see. She saw her life crumble before her eyes and she needed to say goodbye to her old lifestyle. She had to work for the first time in order to survive and she had to share a house with strangers, once she and Tae Poong went to live with Mi Seon's family. But despite all that, she remained strong and kind.

I adored her interactions with Mi Seon's family. Her bond with Beom and Mi Ho made me feel so warm, she became the mother figure they needed and she accepted them without a second thought. As for Tae Poong, I loved how she always supported him and cherished him. Tae Poong needed this type of support and love and she gave it to him.

Speaking of Mi Seon's family, they were one of my most favourite parts in the drama. The siblings relationship between Mi Seon, Be Om and Mi Ho was so realistic. I appreciate that the writers did not depict Mi Ho as the typical bratty younger sister. The two sisters couldn't have been more different and yet they cared about each other so much. Mi Ho did not want Mi Seon to sacrifice her own needs in order to help her and she wanted to contribute to the family instead of relying to others. Their teasing and playful bantering felt like a breath of fresh air and their moments added a more domestic tone to the story.

There were other characters that I enjoyed seeing, such as Nam Mi, Tae Poong's best friend and Typhoon Trading's employees. All of them had to fight their own demons amid the crisis and I couldn't help but root for them. Not everyone was perfect and I understand that not all viewers would be able to sympathize with everyone.

The most prominent example is Ma Jin, who was misogynistic and diminishing towards Mi Seon during the Thailand episodes. A product of his time, Ma Jin felt insecure seeing Mi Seon handling all these trades and he projected his insecurities in his words and behavior. And yet, the series showed him learning from his mistakes and becoming a better person.

Through the characters' lives, we viewers got exposed to the hardships during this era. We see them getting deceived, beaten down, feeling desperate and lost. Everyone had their own demons to fight. But despite everything, there was always a small light of hope. With each loss, came a small win. Dealing with the hardships together, the characters came closer together and became something more than a simple team - they became a family. The drama highlighted the importance of human companionship and it showed that when we stick together, we are bound to overcame most of our problems.

Although I am not a huge fan of romance oriented stories, I found the romance in Typhoon Family to be well-crafted. Tae Poong and Mi Seon's development was nice and it felt natural thanks to the actors. Both of them complimented each other and played a fundamental role in each other's growth. While Mi Seon guided Tae Poong during his first steps as a CEO and helped his with the trades, Tae Poong brought a light into Mi Seon's life with his playful jokes and his acts of service. Watching him acting like a puppy around her was so funny and charming. They were different and yet they fit together perfectly. In other words: they became each one's cosmos.

The secondary couple, Mi Ho and Nam Mi, managed to steal my heart. Their relationship progressed faster compared to Tae Poong and Mi Seon and yet even with their brief scenes, they made me care so much about them. They cared about each other in their own way and although they started as a typical, young couple, they matured and grew alongside their love.

Of course the characters would have never been able to come to life without the performances from the actors. This was my first time watching a Lee Jun Ho and Kim Min Ha drama and it certainly won't be my last. Jun Ho was very charismatic, he embodied all Tae Poong's traits effortlessly and he delivered a very good performance. He showcased a variety of emotions and he perfectly encapsulated Tae Poong's kindness and determination.

Kim Min Ha on the other hand was equally great, I loved the way she used her eyes to convey Mi Seon's emotions and how she carried herself. She was very good in some emotionally heavy scenes too. The scene where Mi Seon finally broke down brought tears to my eyes, Kim Min Ha delivered a moving performance, one that certified my interest to her.

I appreciated the ode to the '90s and how accurate the whole setting was. The songs, the clothes, the buildings, everything was so accurate to this period. I loved the usage of Korean songs from this decade, needless to say my playlist got updated with many new songs (I'm still jamming out Black Cat Nero). You could tell that the budget was high in order to bring us back to the times of the crisis and the effort they put was clear enough.

I also liked the colour grading, it was mundane and vibrant at the same time, perfectly capturing the contrasting vibes and emotions throughout the series. The cinematography was equally well-made and there were many beautiful shots in every episode.

The soundtrack was another good aspect. It was cheerful, nostalgic and hopeful. It perfectly captured the emotions of the drama. Lee Jun Ho did an excellent job delivering it, he was the perfect choice and his voice was really pleasant to listen to in the background.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I was initially very excited for this series. The first episodes delivered everything I was expecting and some more which motivated me to keep watching. I had very high hopes and I started preparing myself for declaring Typhoon Family one of the best kdramas I would have watched this year.

Alas, my hopes crashed just like Typhoon Trading.

The first half of the series, especially the first episodes were very good. The series focused on Tae Poong and his journey as a CEO but at the same time, it brought light to the events that happened during the crisis and how they'd affect Koreans. The drama combined optimism and reality and it gave us many emotional moments that reflected the state of South Korea during IMF crisis.

Unfortunately, the second half felt like a totally different drama. The more the story progressed, the more I felt it started to lose its humane touch. The plot became too repetitive and formulaic to the point I was less engaged to it. I continued watching the drama but without the enthusiasm of the first episodes.

One of the biggest issues I had with the writing was the way the plot was handled. It started following the same pattern over and over again: Tae Poong would land a trading deal, Pyo family would create a scheme or something random would happen and the business wouldn't go smooth and Tae Poong would find a solution, even if it wouldn't be enough. It's understandable that the writer would create all of these problems. South Korea was under a crisis, therefore it was expected that the drama would highlight the hardships the heroes had to face. My issue wasn't that. However, if you want to create problems in order to establish the ground for further development, you ought to do it better.

The drama was about the crisis, therefore there was no need to rely on the villains' schemings in order to make the characters' lives more difficult. The problems should have been related to the crisis, not two boring villains and random exterior forces. By doing so, the story lost its dramatic tone. I no longer felt anxiety, instead I started becoming fed up and wish to be done with it once and for all. The escalation of the events became too over dramatic, instead of watching a well rounded story, it was as if I was watching a soap opera. The plot became boring and it dragged for so long, although I didn't heavily dislike Typhoon Family, it became a chore to resume watching it.

I want to address the elephant in the room and clarify that the problems themselves weren't bad. The problem was the villains who caused these problems. As many people have already said, the Pyos were one of the weakest links in the series. Instead of making them intimidating and engaging, they were like caricatures, whose sole purpose was to make Tae Poong's life miserable.

Pyo Hyun Jun is by far one of the worst villains I've encountered so far in terms of writing. There were barely any remarkable qualities about his character. He cameacross as a mere brat who antagonized Tae Poong and who was obsessed with bringing him down. It's such a pity that his character got to waste because the writer's intentions in making him more complex were promising.

Hyun Jun could have made for an interesting complex villain. Throughout his whole, it was implied that he lived under Tae Poong's shadow. Tae Poong had everything: loving parents, money, admirers, friends. Hyun Jun was jealous of that and his jealousy shaped up his insecurities. On top of that, he constantly tried to prove his worth to his father, Pyo Bak Ho and earn his approval. His father's dismissal was a catalyst for Hyun Jin's downfall but in the end, he was very underwhelming simply because the writer didn't invest in his character.

Pyo Bak Ho was equally bland and uninteresting to watch. The secrecy between his connection to Tae Poong's father and the source for his motive to get Typhoon Trading became too tiring and dragged the plot. His character could have also been written better but just like his son, he came across as too one-dimensional.

When it came to the writing, another issue was the inability to establish a proper tone. There were some shifts among the scenes that ruined their emotional impact. An example I can think of is the moment when Tae Poong's mom decides to donate her wedding ring. It was an emotional scene, one that almost brought tears to my eyes but the impact was quickly lost because not long after, a comedic scene followed. The writer seemed to struggle with this aspect and thus, I failed to feel moved during some scenes.

Another complaint of mine was the writing of the secondary characters - or actually, its lack thereof. During the first half, although Tae Poong and Mi Seon were mostly the center of attention, the drama gave other opportunities to the rest of characters to shine and showcase their interactions. After the first half, we were getting fewer and fewer scenes of them. At one point, we stopped getting scenes between Tae Poong and his mom or Mi Seon and her family, which robbed us of some quality moments between the families.

I am aware of the difficulty that comes with tackling so many different characters simultaneously. Since this was the writer's first major project, I'm willing to cut her some slack. Even though I respect the ambiguous attempt, the result remained underwhelming. It would have been much better if we had seen more of the development of the secondary characters and if we had more balance between them and the main pair. Some of their scenes in the later half felt like fillers instead of vital moments to push the story further and it pains me so much to write this.

There were so many missed opportunities regarding the personal growth of the characters. I loved Tae Poong's mom and her kind and loving personality but it was as if that was her whole personality. The first episodes had done an excellent job portraying her struggling with adapting to a new lifestyle and having a job to provide for her family. I wish we had gotten to see more of that aspect, it would have been nice to see her balancing her new life as a caretaker and an employed woman.

Despite its flaws, Typhoon Family remained an intriguing drama. It deals with a heavy topic but it reminds us that after dark times, we will always be able to see the rainbow. Typhoon Family wasn't a story about the growth of a business. It was about human relationships, community and love. It's about not giving up and trying to survive even when life beats you down. It's about finding the beauty among those whom we cherish and (most importantly) inside ourselves.

All our flowers are here.

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Completed
Elizabeth Ogilvie
2 people found this review helpful
27 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 1.0

As the days go by the bitter taste grows larger

Sometimes a drama comes along, and instinct declares "this one isn't for you deary." But social media influencers - from individuals to the promotors - all say, this is an epic like none other. After all it stars Lee Jun Ho and Kim Min Ah - two exceedingly talented actors with youth and lots of presence on their side. The roster of supporting actors is likewise, great. But the WRITERS and DIRECTOR botched what could have been a close masterpiece about the IMF days in South Korea,

The beginning episode was refined and promising. Introducing characters that should prove not just interesting but with enough abrasion to hook. Here's the short - why waste my time explaining everything - review.

Tae poong is a well-known type; young with money but rudderless in how he lives. Not much but a vague desire to do what he wants. Mi Seon is a strong willed, highly intelligent young woman with no support structure to improve her lot in life as the IMF crisis begins. She has an immediate attraction to a young man while taking a train; she looks but dismisses it. The young man is Taepoong, her CEO's son but they don't know each other. The financial collapse is sudden and the lives of everyone related to Typhoon Trading plummets. It's the start of what SHOULD be great drama. (Promises, promises but no cigar).

Unfortunately, the story involves a cycle of unfortunate circumstances that is repeated ad nauseum from episodes 1-15. By then the audience gets it, at least I did, and by then I lost all interest in anything the drama had to offer. Romance, Plot, resilience, family, none of the story mattered anymore. It was no longer worth my time. Even after two long anticipated actions from the characters happened, I really didn't care. I watched the last episode and thought "well I'm glad it's over". And I was happy to see the characters find peace and stability. But seriously, had Typhoon Family cast less popular actors, the drama would have tanked and had ZERO ratings by episode 5.

I cannot recommend this drama for anything. Well, maybe to see Kim Min Ha play a truly unique and capable female who was shown no respect until the company collapsed and she literally became the only employee.

Watch it if you must. But don't blame me if the taste of metal clings to the palate once it's over.

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Ongoing 16/16
JojoLiRi
6 people found this review helpful
Nov 23, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 6.0
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

This show would have been brilliant if the suffering of the characters had least been well reasoned

I'm in ep 4. Background story, acting, sound track, 90's vide, all great. But the writing? so flawless. The main character is portrayed as naive but very clever. However, the rest of the team are supposed to be at least experienced to have achieved the success they've had so far. Why would they make a delivery after IMF crisis without first checking the buyer's financial status? why sign a contract without reading the TWO pages with the terms that are clearly unfavourable? why accept the confiscation without even checking if the clause is valid (looks to me like an abusive clause, therefore null and void; unlawful enrichment with the confiscation). Why not even consult a lawyer? by the way, the return deal would only be valid with the Typhoon company, why just assign the Italian contract to Pyo instead of trying to challenge the storage contract? That's just stupid, not heroic or moral! And by the way, if he's so clever, why didn't he think of storing the fabric in his greennhouse, a much better protected space FOR FREE than the run down storage facility with the shady deal? And btw2, really, they only thought of protecting the fabric in a room full of holes and run down when it's actually raining?? They couldn't have covered the fabric when they saw the holes? The writing just doesn't add up. No one can be clever and this stupid at the same time... it's not that the drama is boring and repetitive, it's just that it's too obvious. They just want us to watch the characters suffer under the guise of growth/life lesson slice of life. Sure, many other dramas with similar themes are the opposite. Gaps in the story that miraculously make the characters succeed, but I can more easily accept to be made a fool of and have positive-feelings entertainment, than be made a fool of just to see characters suffer for the sake of it...

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  • Score: 8.1 (scored by 10,083 users)
  • Ranked: #2067
  • Popularity: #685
  • Watchers: 31,330

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