Lee Jun-ho And Kim Min-Ha Join Forces In K-Drama ‘Typhoon Family’

Kim Min-ha and Lee Jun-ho star in ‘Typhoon Family.’

Studio Dragon

The upcoming k-drama Typhoon Family is set in Korea during the widespread East Asian financial crisis of 1997, referred to as the IMF Crisis. The crisis not only led the South Korean government to ask for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, but saw longterm economic consequences for its citizens. It was a traumatic time in which many businesses collapsed one after the other.

The characters who inhabit the darkly funny Typhoon Family must face unexpected challenges and harsh realities, forcing them to grow up fast, confront loss, take responsibility, and fight for survival. The drama focuses on the struggles of ordinary people during these difficult times, but also the story of one previously well-to-do character who faces unexpected challenges.

Lee Jun-ho (King The Land) plays Kang Tae-poong, a carefree young man whose life was a party before the crisis unfolded. Then suddenly he finds himself the CEO of his father’s company, a company with no employees, no money and nothing to sell. Making things worse is that he has no experience, so he’s forced to learn fast and do what he can to save the company.

At a recent press conference for the drama Lee Jun-ho described his character as absolutely lovable. He’s a man who has what it takes: incredible drive, quick wit, and the “magnetic charm that allows him to bring different people together.”

Kim Min-ha (Pachinko) plays the quirky, effervescent character Mi-seon. She’s a diligent bookkeeper at Typhoon Company, a responsible daughter working 11 hours a day to help support her family. Like Tae-poong she occasionally gives in to her emotions. While it’s good to generally control your emotions, Kim notes that it’s sometimes important to be emotional about the things that matter. She enjoyed playing Miseon, because the character has a transparent and honest heart.

The drama was directed by Lee Na-jeong who directed the dramas See You In My 19th Life, Mine, Love Alarm and Fight For My Way. Rather than relying on his own memories of the time, the director interviewed a range of people who lived through that era. He spoke with former office workers and trading company employees. He found that when people discussed the time, their eyes would sparkle. It was a difficult time, but they remember overcoming it together and never losing their spirit. That’s also the impression that Lee Jun-ho got from the drama’s script.

“I believe that period was filled with romance, warmth, and genuine human connection,” said Lee Jun-ho at the press conference, where he described the drama’s theme as the strength that comes when people unite.

Those were very dark times, Kim Min-ha added, but they drove people to seek hope. She was drawn to the script because it was beautiful and filled her with nostalgia.

Typhoon Family also stars Sung Dong-il (The Tale of Lady Ok), Kim Ji-young (Link: Eat, Kill, Love), Kim Min-seok (A Good Day To Be A Dog) and Mu Jin-seong (The Tyrant).

Typhoon Family was written by Jang Hyun-sook and produced by Studio Dragon, the studio behind many successful k-dramas, including: Signal, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Mr. Sunshine, My Mister, Crash Landing on You, Sweet Home, Vincenzo, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Yumi’s Cells, Twenty Five Twenty One, Our Blues, Alchemy of Souls, Little Women, Under the Queen’s Umbrella, The Glory, Crash Course in Romance, Marry My Husband, Queen of Tears, Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, Our Unwritten Seoul and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The drama airs on Oct. 11 on tvN in Korea and can be seen internationally on Netflix.