[CW: Spoiler for Ep 4 ahead]
Will 'Typhoon Family' break the viewer rating record set previously by the hit series 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty'?
The tvN weekend drama 'Typhoon Family' is sweeping the small screen, continuing its sharp ascent in viewer ratings. The latest series is perfectly replicating the success rate set by its predecessor, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' emerging as the new hit to continue tvN's drama success.
The fourth episode of 'Typhoon Family' (directed by Lee Na Jeong and Kim Dong Hwi, written by Jang Hyun, produced by Studio Dragon, Imaginus, Studio PIC, and Tree Studio), which aired on October 19, once again broke its own record for the highest viewership. It recorded an average of 9.0% and a peak of 9.8% across the nation (households), and an average of 8.5% and a peak of 9.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area.
It secured the #1 spot in its time slot among all cable and general programming channels, and also dominated all channels, including public broadcasters, by ranking first in the highly sought-after 2049 target demographic with 2.4% nationwide and a peak of 2.7%. (Nielsen Korea, paid platform standard)
'Typhoon Family' opened with a bang, immediately securing the overall #1 spot in its time slot, including public broadcasters, from its very first broadcast. Notably, it recorded the highest first-episode viewership among all tvN weekend dramas aired this year, surpassing the record set by the previous sensation, 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' and launching a new signal for success.
Just as 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' saw its rating skyrocket from 4.9% (Episode 1) to 11.1% (Episode 4), 'Typhoon Family' is also on a steep climb: 5.9% (Episode 1) → 6.8% (Episode 2) → 7.4% (Episode 3) → 9.0% (Episode 4). Given that it's following 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' growth rate almost exactly, analysts predict that the birth of a new tvN syndrome is imminent.
Episode 4 Recap
Episode 4 delivered a refreshing catharsis as protagonists Kang Tae Poong (played by Lee Jun Ho) and Oh Mi Seon (portrayed by Kim Min Ha) successfully executed their first joint effort. Just when they thought the head of Pyo Trading, Pyo Park Ho (Kim Sang Ho), had seized all their fabric, some stock was saved thanks to a freight driver. Tae Poong utilized a loophole in the contract, successfully inducing Pyo Trading to calculate the amount in '50,000 yards' instead of '50,000 meters,' a setup that ultimately made Pyo Trading suffer a loss.
Pyo Park Ho was consequently thrown into difficulty due to a shortage of material during the return process. Tae Poong, on the other hand, successfully launched an astonishing counterattack by reselling the remaining fabric at three times the original price. This "power move by the trading man," which reversed the scam using a single unit of measurement, earned praise from viewers who called it a satisfying resolution.
Following this victory, Tae Poong and Mi Seon headed to Busan to find a new buyer. Even amidst the chilling economic climate of the IMF crisis, the international market was buzzing with life. There, the two encountered the currency exchanger Jeong Cha Ran (Kim Hye Eun), taking a step closer to the world of a real 'trading man.' Mi Seon earned her trust by calculating exchange rates mentally, and Tae Poong immediately sensed export potential upon discovering the 32-year-old traditional brand, 'Shubak Safety Shoes.'
The owner of Shubak, Park Yoon Cheol (Jin Seon Kyu), stated, "I am a researcher, not a mere merchant," and personally demonstrated the shoes' safety by striking the product. The scene where the shoes withstood a steel pipe, a frying pan, and a torch flame felt like a real-life demonstration, not just a drama sequence. Seeing this, Tae-poong instantly secured an export contract for 500 pairs.
However, their joy was short-lived. Tae Poong's "reckless goodwill" in closing the deal for less than the cost price infuriated Mi Seon. Yet, on the Busan beach, Tae Poong wrote "I'm sorry" (Mi-Ahn Hae-Yo) in the sand, then erased the first and last syllables to leave the sincere apology "I won't" (Ahn-Hae), melting Mi Seon's heart. Their relationship is slowly evolving from 'colleagues' to 'partners.'
Despite this progress, storms continue to rage in Tae Poong’s path. On Christmas morning, he lost his footing in life as his home went up for auction, leaving him and his mother no choice but to return to the old Typhoon Company office. However, Tae Poong resolved to get back on his feet rather than give up.
Future Development and Audience Reception
Meanwhile, Pyo Park Ho, who was foiled by the unit calculation error, has vowed revenge. His ominous line, "How would that young man feel if he lost everything, one by one?" adds tension to the future plot. At the same time, Jeong Cha Ran also expressed doubts about the 'Shubak' brand, hinting at more trouble ahead.
Viewer response following the broadcast was overwhelmingly positive. Compliments poured in, such as: "A 10% rating is guaranteed next week," "The warmest family drama this year," "Lee Jun Ho and Kim Min Ha's chemistry is insane," "It's #1 on Netflix for a reason," and "It's been a long time since I watched a drama with my whole family." With word-of-mouth spreading quickly, the drama is now being predicted to grow into a 'National Drama.'
Set during the IMF crisis, 'Typhoon Family' depicts the value of money, trust, and people as young individuals struggle to get back on their feet. Its unique dramatic pleasure—reversing a situation with a 'single-line contract' and enacting revenge with a 'single unit'—combined with a realistic emotional arc, is resonating with all generations.
With 'Typhoon Family' rapidly following the upward curve of 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty,' all eyes are on whether this drama can continue the 'Highest Viewer Rating of 20%' syndrome and secure the title of the biggest hit of the first half of 2025.
'Typhoon Family' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.
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