Despite the freezing winds of the 1997 IMF crisis, youth found ways to laugh, cry, and live and that very spirit now breathes again through Typhoon Family.
Directed by Lee Na-jeong and Kim Dong-hwi, and written by Jang Hyun, Typhoon Family masterfully captures the lives, emotions, and atmosphere of 1997 Korea. From the everyday struggles of ordinary people to the nuanced textures of the time, viewers are praising the show for its immersive storytelling.
Set against a backdrop of economic hardship, Typhoon Family has struck a nostalgic chord with audiences, thanks to meticulous production design and heartfelt performances. The show has quickly gained global traction, ranking #5 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) from October 13 to 19, according to Netflix Tudum.
People
The characters in Typhoon Family are like time travelers from 1997. Actor Lee Junho, who plays protagonist Kang Taepoong, immersed himself in the ’90s aesthetic researching old footage, buying period-specific outfits like leather jackets, denim-on-denim, combat boots, and earrings, and even custom-making pieces he couldn’t find. His signature 1997-style hair, complete with highlighted extensions, completed the look.
Kim Min-ha, who plays Oh Mi-seon, chose argyle knitwear and soft, muted colors to portray a woman grounded in reality, consumed by work and family. Her no-makeup look and simple hairstyle reflected Mi-seon’s choice to prioritize duty over appearance. Kim said, “Mi-seon isn’t someone who adorns herself; she’s focused on her responsibilities. I hoped her bare face would convey warmth.”
The rest of the cast also perfectly recreated the era Lee Chang-hoon’s neckties as manager Go Majin, Kim Jae-hwa’s bold makeup as deputy Cha Seon-taek, Kim Song-il’s rimmed glasses and arm sleeves as executive Gu Myeong-gwan, and Lee Sang-jin’s ‘90s K-drama hairstyle inspired by Star in My Heart for his role as Bae Song-jung. Even the language featuring Seoul dialects heard on old dating shows added texture and generational resonance.
Life
The drama doesn’t just use the ’90s as a backdrop it reconstructs its essence. Scenes show lint removal with tape instead of rollers, charcoal briquettes warming the home, driving with paper maps, quince-scented air fresheners, handwritten bankbook letters from fathers, and aluminum lunchboxes used for hospital visits.
Other moments like birthday celebrations with retro whipped cream cakes, family clocks from that era, learning about the world through comic books like Distant Countries and Neighbouring Countries, and passing time with games like “alkkagi” or knitting have left viewers nostalgic and amazed at the level of detail.
One standout moment came in the Busan episode, where a safety boot labeled “Top Quality” wasn’t just a prop it symbolized the city’s rich shoemaking legacy from the ’70s to ’90s. Such nuanced historical detail has led viewers to call the series “a time capsule in every frame.”
Warmth
Writer Jang Hyun shared, “With Typhoon Family, I wanted to show the warmth between people the love and humanity that held us together during hard times.”
True to that mission, the show tells deeply touching stories of ordinary people supporting each other through crisis. From coworkers rallying to protect Taepoong’s father’s legacy, to friends helping restore a warehouse overnight and then celebrating Taepoong’s birthday despite exhaustion, or Mi-seon gifting roses after a tough day, every episode overflows with emotional sincerity.
Moments like Taepoong’s mentor risking financial loss to help him, or giving everything to a bankrupt friend on the run, show the emotional generosity that helped Koreans survive the IMF crisis not just economically, but spiritually.
The production team said, “This week on Typhoon Family, you’ll again see the people, lifestyle, and warmth of 1997. We hope to take viewers on another emotional time-travel journey filled with forgotten items and cherished memories.”
Typhoon Family airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM KST on tvN.
Sources: Daum
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