Typhoon Family (2025) 태풍상사
Directed by Lee Na-jeong, starring Lee Jun-ho as Kang Tae-poong and Kim Min-ha as Oh Mi-seon.
Watched 25 October - 30 November 2025 — 16 episodes (NETFLIX)
*About a week ago I finished this drama. I enjoyed its underdog story about a small trading company and its struggles to survive during the 1997 financial crisis. I watched it while it was being aired and was confident it would keep the quality but unfortunately it did lose some of its initial spark as it progressed. At places it dragged. I primarily stayed for the romance and this was rewarding. I also like the feel-good vibe.
*Our OTP (Lee Jun-ho as Kang Tae-poong and Kim Min-ha as Oh Mi-seon) has great chemistry. The characters are just very likeable. I love the development of their sweet romance and love their first encounter on the platform and train. The show has great aesthetics and a beautiful color palette; the pink flowers in the train scene, in particular, make the screen pop. Incidentally, that song about Strangers with Flowers on a Crowded Train is an absolute winner but apparently not on the recently released soundtrack. Boo! The show does have a great OST. Also love Did You See the Rainbow? sung by Lee Jun-ho himself.
*Kang Tae-poong has a good heart, and we immediately root for him and like him, also because he loves flowers and shines his dad's shoes. He truly looks out for the people he cares about.
*I love the ending of episode 3 where Tae-poong asks Mi-seon to become his trader.
*I like the episodes with the Busan lady (played by Kim Hye-eun) and Mr. Park Shoe (Jin Sun-kyu). I was on Tae-poong's side when he disapproved of Mi-seon's attitude in regards to helping Mr. Park. In episode 6, she says they are not a rescue organisation but a trading company. Tae-poong retorts he cannot turn a blind eye to someone who needs their help, and Mr. Park Shoe is in trouble. I loved him in that scene.
*Tae-poong performing Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You at the night club was a bit strange. I guess it was only inserted to show off Lee Jun-ho's singing skills.
*Fave side characters: Tae-poong's mum (Kim Ji-young as Jeong Jeong-mi) and Mi-seon's little brother (Kwon Eun-seong as Oh Beom). I like these characters on their own but together they are so sweet. I also love the bond between Tae-poong and his mother.
*Love the episode where Tae-poong and Mi-seon take Beom to the sea side.
*The company suffers a LOT of setbacks, with the show's villain constantly interfering. Mu Jin-sung as Pyo Hyeon-jun, director of a container shipping company, who is Tae-poong's rival, shows up everywhere and I got fed up with him, to be honest. He was just a useless piece of shit, without any qualifications. It was understandable that his father (Kim Sang-ho as Pyo Bak-ho, the CEO of the company) reminded him of his shortcomings and that he preferred Tae-poong over his own son. I did feel a tiny bit sorry for Hyeon-jun when he broke down and cried. In the end he was just a boy longing for his father's approval.
*As an underdog story, it's no surprise Typhoon Trading will come out stronger eventually, beating their adversary, and living through the financial crisis. I'm glad their struggles and endeavours paid off and that they recognised the importance of working as a team.
*Initially I didn't find the team at Typhone Trading that lovable, except the leads of course, but they steadily grew on me.
*Though the show has its fair share of flaws, it was an entertaining watch. But I was a bit disappointed that it didn't live up to that initial promise. The romance between Tae-poong and Mi-seon is definitely the highlight. Love how these two support each other. I will miss them.