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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.