tvN’s new weekend drama ‘Typhoon Family’ (written by Jang Hyun-sook, directed by Lee Na-jeong and Kim Dong-hwi) aired its first two episodes on October 11 and 12, immediately grabbing attention for both its nostalgic setting and strong performances.
The series tells the story of Kang Tae-Pung (played by Lee Jun-ho), an ordinary salaryman who suddenly becomes the president of a failing trading company during the 1997 IMF financial crisis—a time when wallets, hearts, and even hope were frozen. The drama captures the struggles of survival and revival in that unstable era, portraying how Tae-Pung faces the chaotic economy with almost nothing to start with.
It also marks Lee Jun-ho’s long-awaited return to television after about two years, following his acclaimed performances in MBC’s ‘The Red Sleeve’ and JTBC’s ‘King the Land’. Naturally, anticipation was high to see whether he could pull off another hit—and so far, it looks like he did.
‘Typhoon Family’ faced quite the challenge, taking over tvN’s powerful Saturday-Sunday lineup slot from ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’, which had set a remarkable 17.1% viewership record (Nielsen Korea, nationwide paid households). But those concerns faded fast. The premiere instantly captivated audiences by realistically capturing both the collapse of the Korean economy and the unique emotions of the late ’90s.
Lee Jun-ho impressed with his sharp portrayal of the so-called “Orange Tribe”—a term for wealthy youth of that era—while also showing his character’s transformation into a man facing real hardship. The ensemble cast, including Kim Min-ha, Kim Jae-hwa, Lee Chang-hoon, and Lee Sang-jin, also earned strong praise for their authentic performances that grounded the story.
Numbers reflect that momentum. The first episode recorded a 5.9% rating, the highest premiere rating among tvN’s Saturday-Sunday dramas in 2025. Then came the second episode, which jumped to 6.8%, making it the fourth-highest rating for any tvN weekend drama this year.
That second episode, by the way, was where Kang Tae-Pung took a decisive turn. After the death of his father Kang Jin-Pung (played by Sung Dong-il), he decided to revive his father’s company—Typhoon Family—and abandon his flashy “Orange Tribe” past. The ending hinted at the start of his real journey as the reluctant but determined new boss.
Industry watchers and fans are already buzzing about what comes next. The upcoming third episode is expected to show Tae-Pung teaming up with the company’s accountant Oh Mi-sun (Kim Min-ha) as they begin rebuilding the business.
With its solid writing, engaging direction, and cast chemistry, ‘Typhoon Family’ is already showing what many are calling “typhoon-level success.” It’s even surpassed the 6.6% viewership that ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’ achieved by its third episode—proof that word-of-mouth is spreading fast.
All eyes are now on whether Lee Jun-ho and his “Typhoon Boss” journey will continue to gain traction, possibly setting a new success record for tvN’s weekend drama lineup—following hits like ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’.
