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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...Was this review helpful to you?
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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Life is all about fruits and flowers ❤️
Not everyone may share the same perspective I do, which is why I choose to rate this drama an 9.5. It is not the kind of show designed to please a universal audience. Instead, it belongs to the slice-of-life genre—subtle, realistic, and emotionally grounded. It does not rely on sensational twists, exaggerated romance, or dramatic clichés. Rather, it captures life as it is: imperfect, uncertain, and yet beautifully hopeful.One of the strongest elements of this drama lies in the portrayal of the male lead. Although his father is a CEO, the narrative does not present him as someone who has achieved everything effortlessly. Instead of glamorizing inherited privilege, the drama explores his internal struggles, failures, and emotional growth. It emphasizes that comfort and opportunity alone do not guarantee fulfillment or success—human development still demands resilience, self-reflection, and hard work.
Equally inspiring is the female lead. In many dramas, love becomes a distraction that overshadows personal ambition, but here, her character stands as a refreshing contrast. She holds tightly onto her dreams, refusing to abandon her aspirations for the sake of romance. Her journey reminds viewers that love does not always have to mean sacrifice; sometimes it coexists with independence, ambition, and self-respect.
At its core, this drama portrays a timeless truth: life may knock us down repeatedly, yet brighter days do arrive. Through its characters and storytelling, it presents a compelling message of perseverance—that even after numerous setbacks, success and happiness are possible.
Admittedly, some viewers might find the drama slow or uninteresting, especially those who are unfamiliar with themes like business, trade, or economic struggle. But as a business student, I connected deeply with every aspect of it. The narrative resonated with my academic interests, my beliefs about ambition, and my understanding of how progress works in real life—not instantly, but gradually, through trial and persistence.
In the end, this drama might not be entertaining for everyone, but for those who appreciate realism, emotional maturity, and character-driven storytelling, it is an unforgettable experience. For me, it was not just a drama—it was a reminder that growth is possible, love doesn’t require self-abandonment, and after every fall, life eventually opens the door to something better.
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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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Jun Ho and Min Ha bring their A games— stellar performances and a brilliantly written story!
Typhoon Family is one of the best slice-of-life K-dramas I’ve watched in a long time, and it’s criminally underrated. Set during Korea’s 1997 IMF crisis, the drama follows the collapse of a small trading company and the people who stubbornly refuse to abandon it — not out of obligation, but loyalty.Kang Tae-poong, the son of the company’s founder, starts off as a drifting rich kid with no direction in life. But when his father dies under the pressure of debt and economic ruin, Tae-poong loses everything overnight and joins the struggling company as an employee. What makes this show special is that Tae-poong isn’t your typical chaebol lead — he’s kind, emotionally open, and a walking green flag. He listens, learns, and earns the respect of the remaining employees rather than demanding it.
The heart of the story lies with the “Typhoon Family” — five employees who stay behind despite freezing winters and empty kitchens. Among them, Oh Mi-seon stands out as a quietly brilliant, deeply resilient woman who has been consistently underestimated. She isn’t a flashy “girl boss,” but her competence, sincerity, and strength make her one of the most compelling female leads I’ve seen in years.
The romance between Tae-poong and Mi-seon is warm, natural, and beautifully written. Despite their different backgrounds, the relationship never feels uncomfortable or forced. Their chemistry is effortless, tender, and incredibly satisfying.
The supporting cast is excellent, Tae-poong’s mother is refreshingly kind and dignified, and the 1997 setting is brought to life through thoughtful production design and cinematography.
If I had one complaint, it’s that the villains overstay their welcome and the final stretch could’ve given us more uninterrupted happiness. Still, Typhoon Family is heartfelt, emotional, and deeply human.
Rating: 10/10. Absolute must-watch.
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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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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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Typhoon Family Hurts in All the Right Places
Typhoon Family blindsided me.I went in thinking this would be a lighter, slightly nostalgic “IMF-era but make it comedic” kind of watch. You know the type, scrappy underdogs, a few financial mishaps, lots of shouting over contracts, maybe some inspirational background music swelling at the right moments. I even half-jokingly thought it might be a toned-down Wolf of Wall Street, except with fewer drugs and more fabric.
What I got instead was a drama that looks cheerful on the surface but quietly dismantles you piece by piece, like a house that seems intact until you realize the foundation has been cracking the entire time.
At the heart of it all is Kang Tae-poong, portrayed with emotional precision by Lee Jun-ho, a character who smiles like someone trying very hard not to sink. His father’s sudden death throws him into the deep end of the trading world during the IMF crisis, and from that point on, the drama becomes less about business mechanics and more about endurance. Not the flashy kind. The quiet, grinding kind. The kind where you don’t collapse because there are too many people depending on you to allow that luxury.
What struck me early wasn’t just the financial stakes, but the emotional ones. Tae-pong doesn’t mourn loudly. He doesn’t get a dramatic breakdown or a cinematic cry in the rain. Instead, grief lodges itself somewhere behind his eyes while he takes on the role of head of the family, provider, decision-maker, emotional firewall. When a friend asks him why he hasn’t cried yet, his answer: “I don’t know if I’m sad or angry”, feels painfully real. Anyone who’s ever had to stay functional while breaking internally will recognize that emotional limbo immediately.
The drama excels when it focuses on this kind of emotional subtext, the things characters don’t say, but live with.
The workplace dynamics are another area where Typhoon Family quietly shines. Watching Tae-pong’s employees show up in the middle of a rainstorm to protect rolls of Italian fabric felt foreign and oddly moving at the same time. In a world where work-life boundaries are (rightfully) guarded, this level of devotion can feel uncomfortable to witness. But the drama doesn’t romanticize it blindly. The line “This is our livelihood too” grounds the moment in shared survival rather than blind loyalty. It’s not corporate propaganda; it’s collective desperation during a national crisis.
And that’s the key word here: grounded.
When the drama sticks to realism, failed deals, unpaid deposits, warehouses that leak, partners who collapse under IMF pressure, it’s devastating in the best way. Tae-pong keeps doing the right things, and life keeps knocking him sideways anyway. There’s a particular cruelty in watching someone be earnest, hardworking, and careful… and still lose. That’s where Typhoon Family hurts the most, because it refuses to reward virtue immediately.
But this isn’t a drama about wall-to-wall tragedy. What makes Typhoon Family genuinely compelling is how every emotional beat is anchored in lived-in human rhythms. Tae-poong’s mother, Jung Jeong-mi, played with weathered warmth by Kim Ji-young, becomes his emotional anchor in a world that constantly demands him be strong. Her unconditional support, even when she struggles to accept how their lives have changed, offers the first real emotional release for Tae-poong, and eventually for us.
The moment where Tae-pong finally admits to his mother, “I’m having a hard time,” after losing money on a deal that fell apart? That’s five episodes of silent pressure finally releasing. It’s not melodramatic. It’s not loud. It’s just devastating. And yes, I wept.
Then there’s Oh Mi-seon, brought to life by Kim Min-ha, whose presence in Typhoon Family is quietly magnetic. As the diligent bookkeeper who keeps the company afloat more often than Tae-poong does, she’s hardworking, earnest, and deeply human. The show uses her rooted realism to ground its more sweeping emotional arcs.
Now… we need to talk about the romance. Because this is where Typhoon Family stumbles, not catastrophically, but noticeably.
The main romance never worked for me. Not because it was offensive or toxic, but because it felt unnecessary and oddly misplaced. Tae-pong and Min-ho function beautifully as platonic partners, emotionally, narratively, and tonally. Their shared resilience, mutual respect, and alignment in goals were already compelling. Adding romance didn’t deepen that bond; it diluted it.
Worse, the attempts to make their relationship “cute” often veered into cringeworthy territory. Episode 14’s beach scenes, in particular, had me fast-forwarding, not out of impatience, but because they actively pulled me out of a drama I otherwise cared deeply about. That’s rare for me. I don’t fast-forward lightly.
What makes this flaw more frustrating is that the drama knows how to write romance. The secondary romance between Wang Nam-mo and Oh Mi-ho is proof of that. It’s layered, earned, and deeply human. Nam-mo’s growth from a carefree rich kid into a responsible adult, especially after his mother’s financial collapse, is one of the most satisfying arcs in the show. Their relationship unfolds naturally, without hijacking the narrative or undermining character integrity. Which is why the main romance feels like a miscalculation rather than a lack of skill.
Ironically, this flaw also highlights one of Typhoon Family’s greatest strengths: it almost achieved something rare, a story where the male and female leads could have remained best friends, united by shared purpose rather than romantic obligation. That choice would have been refreshing, even radical, in a genre that often defaults to romance as narrative glue. The fact that the drama comes so close to that kind of perfection makes the stumble more noticeable… and more painful.
Still, despite this misstep, I stayed. I stayed because the world felt lived-in. Because the characters felt resilient without being invincible. Because the pain was earned and never weaponized for shock value. Because even when I knew things would eventually be okay, this isn’t torture porn, the journey still hurt in ways that mattered.
Typhoon Family is not a perfect drama. But it’s an honest one. It’s about people who keep going when the math doesn’t work, when the contracts fall through, when grief doesn’t give them time to process itself. It’s about families, biological and chosen, holding together with threadbare hope and stubborn warmth. And sometimes, that’s enough.
This drama didn’t just entertain me. It sat with me. Quietly. Relentlessly. Like a storm you don’t notice until you’re soaked through.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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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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