Lee Jun-ho Steers ‘Typhoon Family’ Through Korea’s Financial Crisis
The actor adapts the role of a young man who leads his family’s struggling business through a phase of financial crisis in Korea
Lee Jun-ho plays Kang Tae-poong in 'Typhoon Family.' Photo: Netflix, courtesy of Han Cinema.
Lee Jun-ho of 2PM stars in Typhoon Family as Kang Tae-poong, a young man challenged to trade in his once carefree lifestyle for the weight of responsibility when he’s suddenly compelled to head Typhoon Company, his father’s struggling business.
South Korea’s 1997 International Monetary Fund (IMF) crisis serves as the backdrop for this new slice-of-life period drama series, tracing the complexities of the time, with Tae-poong embodying the spirit of a generation grappling with the crisis.
If anything, Tae-poong’s journey is one of transformation, from a footloose to a figurehead. But it’s not just him—it’s the people around him as well, like Oh Mi-seon, a bookkeeper at the Typhoon Company, played by Kim Min-ha. In a competitive culture, Mi-seon juggles the responsibilities of her family with her own ambitions. As she shares with Netflix in its press statement, “I’m honored to play Oh Mi-seon. Typhoon Family was created with heart—from the cast to every member of the production team.”
Typhoon Family is like a time capsule of a defining moment in South Korean history in its portrayal of events around the 1997 financial chaos, which brought significant changes in the country’s economic and social landscape, forcing Koreans to re-evaluate their values and priorities. It’s a story of resilience, framed by a nation in flux. Speaking of which, Lee Jun-ho says, “I hope this story brings laughter, comfort, and genuinely resonates with you.”
Directed by Han Ji-seung and written by Park Jae-beom, the show fundamentally is about the power of human strength and connection in the face of adversity, highlighting the importance of community and support during difficult times. “I hope viewers not only watch but feel each moment—youth, hope, hardship, and triumph,” says Kim Min-ha.
The drama will be available on Netflix on October 11, taking you back to the 1990s, with all its quirks and charms. “I hope you experience the 90s nostalgia and emotional journey with us,” adds Lee Jun-ho.
