Typhoon Family is not just another period K-drama — it’s an emotional hurricane set during one of South Korea’s most turbulent eras. Blending family politics, corporate warfare, and personal reckoning, this tvN series brings a compelling narrative that sweeps viewers into the chaos of the 1997 IMF financial crisis. At its center is Kang Tae-poong, portrayed brilliantly by Lee Jun-ho, whose transformation from a reckless heir to a responsible leader anchors the show’s heart.
Plot Summary
The story begins in Seoul, 1997, when the once-flourishing Typhoon Trading Company faces collapse after the economic crash. Kang Tae-poong, the pampered youngest son, suddenly inherits the family business after a shocking tragedy — his father’s mysterious disappearance during a business trip. With no experience and a reputation as a carefree playboy, Tae-poong struggles to take control of the sinking company. Enter Oh Mi-seon (Kim Min-ha), a diligent bookkeeper who has silently kept the firm afloat. Her quiet strength and fierce determination become the company’s moral compass as the financial storm worsens.
But the company’s troubles run deeper than expected. Hidden debts, secret transactions, and an internal betrayal begin to unravel. As Tae-poong dives into his father’s old ledgers, he discovers a shocking truth — Typhoon Trading was involved in black-market dealings tied to influential political figures. This revelation becomes the first major plot twist that changes everything.
Quick Drama Facts — Typhoon Family (2025)
Genre: Family, Period, Business, Melodrama
Network: tvN
Streaming Platform: Netflix (available internationally)
Release Date: October 2025
Episodes: 16
Runtime: Approximately 70–80 minutes per episode
Director: Lee Na-jeong (Mine, Fight for My Way)
Writer: Jang Hyun-sook (Secret Love Affair)
Main Cast: Lee Jun-ho as Kang Tae-poong — the carefree heir forced to lead his collapsing family business
Kim Min-ha as Oh Mi-seon — the loyal accountant hiding secrets from the pas
tSung Dong-il, Kim Ji-young, and Yoon Je-moon in key supporting roles
Setting: Late 1990s, during South Korea’s IMF financial crisis
Production Company: Studio Dragon
Tagline: “When the storm hits, only the truth remains.”
Major Plot Twists and Turns
1. The Father’s Secret
What initially seems like a financial scandal turns into something darker when Tae-poong learns that his father might still be alive — living under a new identity after being betrayed by his own business partner. This revelation flips the family’s perception of loyalty and ignites a quest for truth.
2. Mi-seon’s Hidden Past
While Mi-seon appears to be an honest and modest employee, it’s later revealed that she once worked for Tae-poong’s father as a secret accountant — and she might hold the key to exposing the corruption that led to his downfall. Her emotional turmoil between love, guilt, and justice adds layers to her character.
3. The Corporate Coup
Midway through the series, a shocking corporate coup shakes Typhoon Trading when Tae-poong’s older brother and uncle conspire to take control of the company. This betrayal leads to one of the most intense boardroom showdowns in recent K-drama history.
4. Love in the Eye of the Storm
Despite their opposing worlds, Tae-poong and Mi-seon develop an unspoken bond. Their slow-burn romance, set against the backdrop of betrayal and financial ruin, becomes one of the show’s most humanizing elements — proving that even in chaos, love can bloom.
5. The Final Redemption
In the finale, Tae-poong chooses integrity over power, risking everything to rebuild Typhoon Trading the right way. The closing episodes are filled with emotional reunions, confessions, and a powerful sense of closure as each family member faces the consequences of their past.
The Cast That Carries the Storm
Lee Jun-ho shines as Kang Tae-poong, portraying a nuanced transformation from arrogance to empathy.
Kim Min-ha’s Oh Mi-seon is the emotional heart of the story — quiet, steadfast, and unexpectedly bold.
Supporting performances from Sung Dong-il and Kim Ji-young deepen the drama’s family and corporate layers, blending warmth and tension effortlessly.
Themes That Hit Home
Typhoon Family explores the cost of greed, the fragility of trust, and the redemption that comes with facing one’s mistakes. It’s also a love letter to resilience — the idea that even in economic or emotional collapse, humanity can rise above the storm.
Typhoon Family is a slow-building storm — full of suspense, heartbreak, and humanity. It’s a reminder that the greatest battles aren’t fought in boardrooms or stock markets, but within ourselves. As Tae-poong learns to lead with empathy instead of ego, viewers are left with one message: redemption is the calm after every storm.
Image Sources: X @tvN
