Typhoon Family

Wasted potential

I had high hopes for this drama.. it started out great I fell in love with the overall vibe and especially the cast. but it doesn't live up to the expectations I had.

it's the same story repeated over and over again. Each time they try to make a buisness deal their stuff either burns down, gets destroyed or whatever. I get it that the characters must fail at first since Tae-poong is clueless when it comes to running a company, but it comes to a point when it's repeatable, boring and just straight up frustrating.

I also don't feel the chemistry between the main characters, Tae-poong confessing his feelings feels forced and Miseon's reactions to any kind of things he does for her are just awkward.

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Romance, Resilience and Repetition

Set during the IMF crisis era in south korea, Typhoon Family follows Kang Taepoong, who is suddenly forced to take responsibility for his father’s trading company after his death during the economic collapse. The drama portrays how he navigates financial hardships, protects his small victories and builds deep relationships with colleagues who eventually become a true typhoon family.

This is a realistic drama that portrays the hardships of that time very well. I personally enjoyed it a lot but like any show, there are aspects i loved, certain things i didnt and some areas that could have been improved.

What i Liked

1. Authentic 90s Setting: The detailing of the era is impressive, from set design, props and costumes to the portrayal of economic struggle. It evokes both nostalgia and a warm sense of familiarity while keeping the tone grounded in reality.

2. Well Written Leads: Taepoong and Miseon are complete opposites yet written to perfectly complement each other. Their strengths and weaknesses balance out, making them one of the most compelling business partners as well as life partner. Their dynamic is both comforting and inspiring.

3. Realistic Portrayal of Struggle: The depiction of small businesses trying to survive during the crisis feels honest and relatable. The obstacles they face and how they respond reflect real economic challenges of the 90s, giving the show a strong emotional core.

4. Strong Acting Performances: The performances truly carry the show. There are moments where the acting alone makes you want to keep watching. Lee Junho, Kim Minha and the supporting cast all deliver strong performances that elevate the drama even when the writing stumbles.

5. Beautiful Slow Burn Romance: The romance is subtle but deeply heartfelt. The chemistry between the leads feels natural and their understanding of each other grows organically. Their relationship enhances the story without overshadowing the business theme.


What Fell Short

1. Repetitive Conflict Structure: The biggest issue is the storyline becoming repetitive.

# Taepoong comes up with an idea

# Achieves a small win or make some deal

# Pyo family sabotages it

# He barely recovers

# Reset -->> repeat

Early on, this structure works but as the drama progresses, especially near the end, it stops evolving. The stakes dont escalate, emotional tension plateaus and predictability sets in. The narrative lacks fresh turning points that could have made the climax more impactful.

2. Underdeveloped Villains: The Pyo family remains one dimensional throughout. Their motivations are shallow and their schemes never change, which weakens the conflict. When villains dont grow or become smarter, the struggle loses intensity and suspense.


What Could Have Been Better:

Despite having a strong cast, great potential and solid execution in many areas, the writing falters in the later episodes. The drama tries to include every possible challenge faced by small businesses during that era, which eventually dilutes the emotional impact. Focusing on only 2-3 major conflicts could have made the overall narrative more powerful and less repetitive.

Also, a more layered portrayal of the villains would have provided higher stakes and a more engaging final act.


Overall Typhoon Family is a genuinely good drama that realistically depicts a challenging historical period, supported by strong acting, well written leads and a beautiful slow burn romance. However, repetitive storytelling and underdeveloped villains prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Still, despite its shortcomings, its a worthwhile and engaging drama that i enjoyed watching.

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A series with a good heart but lacks the finesse of a truly good story

Typhoon Family is a series with a good heart, but lacks the finesse of a truly good story. It refused to venture out of comfortable territory as similar situations unfolded involving the same villain, becoming easily predictable. This formulaic approach became increasingly frustrating because ironically, just like running a business, some risks NEED to be taken in storytelling to elevate its quality. Alas, as much as it started with a lot of promise, it did not achieve a lot of its potential.

Where the show succeeds the most is its sentimental atmosphere. With the nostalgic styling and music, it is one of the few kdramas where I was mostly convinced by the backdrop and felt myself being brought back to the 90s. I also genuinely liked the characters and empathized with their struggles, but wished they were not stuck in such repetitive scenarios and were given more to do.

As a whole, Typhoon Family is worth watching but not a must-watch.

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Well.....They finally won...?

I really loved Typhoon Family, everything from the story to the acting to the music, but something I just can't get over is how long it took for our main characters to actually have a solid win. Besides that, our leads, Lee Jun-ho and Kim Min-ha, were phenomenal. I loved their banter, their relationship before and while they were dating, and overall the actors' chemistry. This also goes for the rest of the Typhoon Trading staff; I love every single one of them even though some of their actions pissed me off lol. Going off into the rest of the characters, I really liked Nam Mo and Mi Ho because they were just so cute together, and I loved them as a couple. I also loved Mi Seon's entire household with her little brother, her grandma, and Tae Pung's mother. Overall I would say this show was very much worth the 8 weeks of watching, but I cannot say if I would watch it again!

Side note: The burgundy suit that Tae-Pung wears at the end looks SO GOOD OMG 😍

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this couple doesn't work for me

first off: I am a huge fan of Lee Jun-ho as an actor, he had several really good roles in the past, and he totally blew me away in 'the red sleeve' - one of my all time favourites.
I also liked him and Yoona in 'king the land' - their chemistry was fantastic, and every scene was such a joy to watch, no matter if serious, funny, romantic, it was just so good. And I guess that's one of my main critical points for 'Typhoon Family' - the two leads have no, and I really mean ZERO - chemistry. I have seen Kim Min-ha just in one other role, in 'Light Shop', where I thought she was really good, particularly in that role because of the love story shown there. She played that part very convincing and touching. Here now, nah, I just don't buy any of it. I even made the effort and looked up promo-videos of the these two on youtube, and it's the same there. They are friendly with each other but there is zero chemistry, no idea why.

Why only a 5.0? Also the rest of the storyline is comparably weak. It's just an endless adding of cliche-scenes everyone has seen a million times, but with the visual 90s setting to create some nostalgia. Doesn't work for me either., because they plot is just too weak. I have a good Korean friend who experienced the late 1990s in South Korea, and when this crisis hit, it was such an awful time for many people, so awful that there was a sharp rise in suicides, and my friend told me there were people even jumping from ski scrapers, because they had lost everything. My friend's family (and many others who could manage) fled South Korea to the US, Canada or Australia at that time. This show here doesn't really depict the mood back then, the seriousness of this situation. In the first episodes it does show that some cleaning and office personell is let go etc. but it's all too soft and friendly, the whole mood of the show is. There was real desperation on a large scale there back then and I can't feel any of that in the show. There is 'funny' trips to Thailand, there is always street vendors and plenty of food everywhere etc. I get why they did that, but it's just not at all what happened back then.

Another problem: I don't really care for any of the characters because - again - they seem created and unreal to me. Lee Jun-ho plays his role good as always but it doesn't help this time in that setting. Also Kim Sang-ho, who I mostly know from funny and friendly roles, is fantastic as evil and mean antagonist, and I was impressed he could convincingly play someone so unlikeable and evil. But it just doesn't help for the rest of the story. I made it to episode 12 now, but only with skipping lots of the last 8 episodes and fast forwarding all the time. I now just watched episode 12 and found myself moaning at the end thinking : yes of course, now they very artificially create an acute life in danger situation, one of the few cliche-parts in the 'how to build a simple storyline' - book Oo.

And lastly, apart from the absolutely missing chemistry between the lead couple: their 'love' story is just not credible to me and meanwhile it annoys me. He is running after her for the past, I don't know, 6 episodes, looking, smiling, complimenting her all the time, they kissed once (only after he had to do a mountain of effort to realise that kiss with her), now he suddenly even told her he loves her - and every single time the reaction is a full frame of her staring, mouth open, eyes wide open, just like the deer in headlights? I get that she'd stare once after some kind of confession, but seriously, he confessed now what feels like 15 times, so why the face? And still she spends all her off work time with him, but at the same times tells him she isn't interested. I find that annoying, and I find that as a woman even Oo


Result:

They would have had a chance to create a really great drama, which combines nostalgia (which people long for these days more than ever) and at the same time really captures the seriousness and sheer desperation of that financial crash time in 1997 in South Korea. They could have given it a way more serious approach and in it create a credible, strong, adult love story. Sadly, for me, they did the opposite. These two leads together were the wrong choice for my taste, and the storyline just walks through from one cliche scene to the next, they even seem disconnected at times. All tinged in that nostalgic light and clothes, and adds, and cars- but that's not enough to conceal an uninspired, flat storyline.
As Lee-Jun-ho is one of my absolute favourite actors meanwhile I hate to give such low rating, but I really can't say anything better this time =/

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It's a solid 8/10

I enjoyed this and loved the cinematography for the 80s into the early 2000s. Loved their outfits too.
Been longing to see Lee JunHo on the screen and he played his character to well. This is my first time watching a drama with Kim Min Ha and she played O Mi Seon so well.
The leads were so shy with each other especially O Mi Seon. I like their chemistry and loved that she supported him and also because she had a dream and at the end, he supported her too.
It also shows how a rich/well off family can adjust to being poor/not so well off and how they have accepted it and still grateful. (love that especially his mom)
A lot happened with the villains in this drama and they upset me so much but the CEO and employees didn't give up, they tried and tried until there was success.
Why not a 10? Some parts were a bit draggy and also I wish they showed more success in their business after years later and also them getting married. I also wish he wasnt so nice to the PYO company and take all....

Overall, it was a good watch.

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Good start but inconsistent and annoying towards the end

It started off pretty okay, the romance is nice, the friendships are lovely the villains are idiots and the families are adorable... But then it became slightly repetitive, annoying and took some kind of turn from business/romance to undercover patriotic justice warriors... Bringing in all the things I have come to accept (unwillingly) in C -dramas and just can't take in my K's. This change har me rolling my eyes so many times it became ridiculously painful to watch towards the end. The pace is so off, the way things wrap up is not the least bit satisfying or in anyway given proper closure to the build up. And there are so many things that make no sense at all about the villains. It is as if they cut out their scenes to spare us the misery they bring .

So why the high score?

Again the characters friendships and first half of the show sores between an 8,5 and a 9., as for the rest it does have some moments of fluff and sweetness between the eye rolling moments.

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One of my favorite watch this year!!

I didn’t know watching a clueless guy handle economic crisis could so entertaining!

If this show was only centered around the main leads, it would have failed. Sure, the story lies heavily relies on Kang Tae Poong’s journey of self discovery. But it is his interaction with the other characters, namely the supporting cast that makes the storytelling crisp & refreshing. Everything about this show is nostalgia, brings back memories from the time when I was a kid and all kinds of new tic tacs were introduced-like pagers and mobile phones. The show plays on those feelings while adding its own incentives. The storyline focuses on the economic crisis that Korea and how it adversely affected the same range firms. The main lead’s journey through those difficult times, as he tries to save the company, his father founded are praiseworthy. He is a horticulturist, so technically he has no idea about how trading works. So, he starts from ground zero, fumbles along the way as he learns the ropes of the trade and finds a firm standing; carrying along his father’s legacy.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/typhoon-family-series-review/#more-2173

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Warm as a hug

I saw insanely negative reviews and knew I had to step up my game. This drama was never meant for romance lovers. The romance was a subplot which blew out of proportion because of edits. The leads had barely five minutes of screen time together in the early episodes. What made this drama one of my favorites of the year was the overall vibe. It became my companion during one of the most stressful periods of my life. The real highlight was the ensemble cast. There were no weak links. The chemistry among the entire cast was amazing, and no one felt like the odd one out. I have a secret soft spot for 90s nostalgia bite Asian dramas, so this made me tune in. However, there were clear issues with the writing. I didn’t have the same problem others did with the story going in circles with Kang Tae Pung getting scammed seven days a week. That carefree behavior was in character. For me, the real stumbling block was O Mi Seon. Around the midpoint of the drama, her character became somewhat useless. It's as if her sole purpose was to be the love interest. Until almost the final episode, she never stepped out of her comfort zone neither in her professional ambitions nor in her personal relationships. This situation frustrated me, because she had so much potential early on, and Kim Min Ha is a great actress who deserved more than what the writing gave her work on.
In conclusion, if you’re into slice of life in the 90s with a touch of romance, this drama is meant for you.

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A beautiful portrayal of growth and survival

Typhoon Family delivers a grounded and emotionally rich story set against the backdrop of South Korea’s financial struggles. The drama stands out for its sincere portrayal of ordinary people pushed into extraordinary circumstances, especially as the main character is forced to grow, adapt, and take responsibility. The setting feels incredibly authentic, pulling viewers into the late-90s atmosphere with careful attention to detail, from the environment to the social pressures of the time.

What truly carries the show is its character work. The performances are heartfelt and believable, giving every conflict and moment of hope real weight. Relationships evolve naturally, showing loyalty, disappointment, sacrifice, and resilience in a way that feels lived-in rather than dramatic for drama’s sake. Even the supporting cast gets meaningful arcs, which gives the story depth and makes the stakes feel real.

While Typhoon Family isn’t without flaws: especially occasional slow pacing and a few repetitive plot beats, the overall emotional journey remains strong and satisfying. It’s a drama that prioritizes sincerity over spectacle, and for viewers who appreciate thoughtful storytelling, nostalgia, and character growth, it leaves a lasting impression. Ultimately, the show succeeds not through twists but through its genuine heart.

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Loved it! A warm hug on a cold dark day

I loveddddd this drama! The best way to describe this series was a warm hug on a cold dark day. It was so easy watching you didn’t have to think too much just absorb the scenes and nothing was too much I think it was balanced quite well!

The storyline was unlike anything I have seen before it was based on the dad’s death (which in the end did anyone get blamed for ??) and then they go on journeys as traders selling different items and the troubles they come up with and sort out along the way.

I loved Tae Pung and Mi Seon they were such strong main leads and their characters developments were so cute!! I actually found Tae Pung’s mum sweet in the end and with Beom!! Grandmas is knownnnn for her incredible acting so I loved when I saw she was casted!! I also enjoyed the second leads Nam Mo and Mi Ho they were a bit dramatic but in the end it all worked out!!

Pyo Back Ho and his son… I don’t know if that ending got justice..? Maybe it did him having to send his son away? The PA also said he wanted to tell him something yet never did maybe it was an excuse but it felt opened ended!

I think it would have been nice for Tae Pung to keep the flowers maybe grow some at home? (Did he sell his nursery??) Something domestic and cute I loved the reasoning behind his no but at the same time I loveeee flowers so maybe biased! Oooo and Mi Seon not going to college?? I don’t know if those were the right moments for the end again the reasoning was sweet but it felt like a bit of a flat ending for me. Hence the 8.5 not 9.

Actors and Actresses were all amazing and I am obsessed with the OSTs I would recommend this as an easy watching series full of hope and inspiration!

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A MID RANGED DRAMA

5/10 HONEST RATING

The cast actually does a great job at delivering the plot. The problem lies in the plot. I was genuinely interested in this drama when it started airing. Waited until it finished to watch it. It left me disappointed. I very rarely would drop a drama when I start watching but I had to drag myself to watch this.

THE PLOT:
Starts off very nicely, and the story is laid out on a good note. Enjoyed the first few episodes, but it started getting very boring after that. I was genuinely sad to see the drop in the plot. The story continued to showcase repetitive sub-stories, and the outcome was the same every single time. I believe it should have been equal wins and losses. Honestly, the story could have concluded with 10/12 episodes. The ending was mid as well and did not showcase the joy, the happiness or the excitement a story should have.

THE CAST:
Genuinely did a good job and portrayed their characters well. I have watched all of Kim Min Ha's dramas, and I think this was the only one she didn't get to showcase her true value. Lee Jun Ho did well for the role but I feel like he keeps doing similar roles and the expressions are very limited. Overall, he showed that he can act. I see more potential in him and he can do much more versatile characters than this.

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