This review may contain spoilers
A Patience-Rewarding Underdog Tale
Typhoon Family has one of the slowest first episodes I’ve sat through. I was genuinely fighting for my life to stay awake. But it’s also the kind of show where you feel the potential underneath, and I’m glad I pushed on because it eventually delivers.
What sets this drama apart from other underdog stories is both what makes it endearing and what makes it frustrating. Unlike Hot Stove League, Designated Survivor, The Winning Try, and similar dramas, there are no small victories along the way. There’s no steady progress or tiny wins to keep you hopeful during the journey. Instead, the drama seems to save everything for one big, ultimate payoff in the final episode. It’s realistic, but the lack of progress almost made me quit more than once.
One of my disappointments was the wasted potential of the female lead. Kim Min-ha is a genuinely great actress, and I’ve seen her shine in other works, but this drama never gives her the room to do so. The way her character is introduced makes you expect major growth and meaningful contribution. Instead, she keeps trying but never truly delivers, and it is consistently the male lead who ends up saving the day. She feels more like an extension of the story rather than a central force in it.
The romance is subtle and charming, even if it doesn’t offer many fluttery moments beyond the Thailand sequence. What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in sincerity. Their chemistry builds quietly and steadily, and the development of their relationship is handled with care, making each shift in their dynamic feel natural, authentic, and earned.
The standout of the entire show is Lee Jun-ho. He is the heart of this drama and steals every scene with ease. The way he portrays Kang Tae-poong, with sincerity, joy, sorrow, hope, and that dorky charm, is infectious. You feel everything with him. Watching his growth from an easygoing, carefree person to someone who carries real responsibility and becomes someone others rely on is one of the show’s best qualities. He is also incredibly good looking, to the point where it’s impossible not to stay glued to the screen.
The group dynamic is another major strength. They may be a company, but they function as a true family. Their camaraderie, playful banter, loyalty, and determination to survive together are heartwarming. The found family element shines throughout, and each supporting character feels unique, consistent, and delightful in their own way.
Typhoon Family is a drama that takes its time, sometimes to a fault, but it ultimately finds warmth, heart, and purpose. It succeeds in creating characters you genuinely root for and moments that feel earned. By the end, the journey feels worthwhile, and their victories feel like your own.
What sets this drama apart from other underdog stories is both what makes it endearing and what makes it frustrating. Unlike Hot Stove League, Designated Survivor, The Winning Try, and similar dramas, there are no small victories along the way. There’s no steady progress or tiny wins to keep you hopeful during the journey. Instead, the drama seems to save everything for one big, ultimate payoff in the final episode. It’s realistic, but the lack of progress almost made me quit more than once.
One of my disappointments was the wasted potential of the female lead. Kim Min-ha is a genuinely great actress, and I’ve seen her shine in other works, but this drama never gives her the room to do so. The way her character is introduced makes you expect major growth and meaningful contribution. Instead, she keeps trying but never truly delivers, and it is consistently the male lead who ends up saving the day. She feels more like an extension of the story rather than a central force in it.
The romance is subtle and charming, even if it doesn’t offer many fluttery moments beyond the Thailand sequence. What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in sincerity. Their chemistry builds quietly and steadily, and the development of their relationship is handled with care, making each shift in their dynamic feel natural, authentic, and earned.
The standout of the entire show is Lee Jun-ho. He is the heart of this drama and steals every scene with ease. The way he portrays Kang Tae-poong, with sincerity, joy, sorrow, hope, and that dorky charm, is infectious. You feel everything with him. Watching his growth from an easygoing, carefree person to someone who carries real responsibility and becomes someone others rely on is one of the show’s best qualities. He is also incredibly good looking, to the point where it’s impossible not to stay glued to the screen.
The group dynamic is another major strength. They may be a company, but they function as a true family. Their camaraderie, playful banter, loyalty, and determination to survive together are heartwarming. The found family element shines throughout, and each supporting character feels unique, consistent, and delightful in their own way.
Typhoon Family is a drama that takes its time, sometimes to a fault, but it ultimately finds warmth, heart, and purpose. It succeeds in creating characters you genuinely root for and moments that feel earned. By the end, the journey feels worthwhile, and their victories feel like your own.
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