2
5
1
2
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.
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
