Lee Junho on “Typhoon Family”: “I Wanted to Convey the Hearts of Those Who Endured the IMF Crisis”

tvN’s hit drama “Typhoon Family” closed on a high note, and star Lee Junho is reflecting on the emotional message behind the series that resonated with viewers across generations.

A Career-High Finale With Double-Digit Ratings

The IMF-era drama recorded its highest rating of 10.3% in the final episode, ranking No.1 in its time slot across all channels, including terrestrial networks, according to Nielsen Korea.

The series followed Kang Tae-poong, a rookie CEO who unexpectedly inherits a struggling trading company during the 1997 financial crisis and fights to rebuild it with his colleagues.

For Lee Junho, the success carried deep personal meaning.

“Life is always difficult,” he said. “I wanted to show what kind of mindset people had when they endured the IMF era and create a bridge between those who lived through it and the younger generation who didn’t.”

Recreating the 1990s — From Fashion to Emotion

To bring the period to life, Lee studied 1990s trends in detail, referencing styles from singer Lee Jae-hoon of COOL and actor Kim Min-jong.

Although he did not personally experience the IMF crisis, he recalled memories of his parents working tirelessly to support the family, which helped him connect emotionally with the character.

He described the decade with one word:

“Romance.”

Not in a glamorous sense, but in the warmth of handwritten notes, family bonds, and the emotional closeness that defined the era.

A Story About Falling — and Standing Up Together

At its core, Typhoon Family is not just a business drama but a story about solidarity.

Lee emphasized that Kang Tae-poong’s journey was meant to deliver a clear message:

“If you have someone beside you when things are hard, you can stand up again no matter how many times you fall.”

His on-screen partnership with Kim Min-ha, who played Oh Mi-sun, was also widely praised. The two built natural chemistry after growing close during filming, making the romance in the later episodes feel more authentic.

Three Consecutive Hits After Military Service

With:

• The Red Sleeve (2021)
• King the Land (2023)
• Typhoon Family (2025–2026)

Lee Junho has now achieved three consecutive drama successes, firmly establishing himself as a “trusted actor.”

He is already preparing for his next projects, including the Netflix series “Cashero,” and is in talks to appear in director Ryoo Seung-wan’s film “Veteran 3.”

His long-term goal?

“To be remembered as an actor people trust to watch and a singer people trust to listen to.”

Kim Min-ha’s Breakthrough as a Terrestrial TV Lead

For Kim Min-ha, the drama marked her first leading role in a traditional TV series after gaining global recognition through Apple TV+’s Pachinko.

She said seeing real-time ratings for the first time was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, describing it as “getting a report card every week.”

Her character, a devoted eldest daughter who gives up her own dreams for her family, drew strong empathy from viewers and added emotional weight to the series.

Why “Typhoon Family” Connected With Viewers

The drama’s success reflects a growing audience appetite for:

• stories about ordinary people overcoming crisis
• intergenerational empathy
• realistic portrayals of perseverance

By combining a historical backdrop with a deeply human narrative, Typhoon Family delivered both nostalgia and comfort — a rare balance in today’s K-drama landscape.