tvN "Typhoon Family" Junho Lee faces all kinds of storms but has no worries. He has the unbreakable tenacity and conviction of a trading company man, and typhoon-like abilities.
tvN weekend drama "Typhoon Family" (directed by Na Jeong Lee and Dong-hwi Kim, written by Hyun Jang, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Imaginus, Studio PIC and Tris Studio)'s Kang Taepung (Junho Lee) grows stronger the more crises approach. Hope over despair, solutions before discouragement, and the action-oriented Taepung's attitude of running forward rather than sitting down and ultimately finding a breakthrough are the driving forces that make viewers anticipate "Typhoon" performances.
The source of Taepung's crisis-response ability is innate instincts and powers of observation. When he scanned Daebang Textile's office, which was supposed to receive delivery of high-end imported fabrics, he sensed bankruptcy at a glance from the cut telephone lines, empty paper trays and the sight of employees wearing thick padded jackets. When they could not find a fabric storage warehouse, he immediately came up with the idea of a temporary warehouse upon seeing the empty Incheon Port parking lot. When he heard O Mi-seon's (Min-ha Kim) plan to return the fabric, he proved it would be profit, not loss, due to rising exchange rates, and even proposed a "market half-price strategy" in case the return was rejected. His knack for creating a path for himself under unfavorable conditions is his way of surviving.
Also, the scene in which he exploited the omission of the contract unit to induce a mistake by shipping company president Park Bak-ho (Sang-ho Kim) and then resold the remaining fabric at three times cost to complete a reversal proved Taepung's gambler streak. Later in Busan, he immediately recognized the value of Shubak safety shoes, proving he also had an eye for merchandise.
Above all, his greatest strength is his faith in people. He could not abandon Shubak owner Park Yoon-chul (Seon-gyu Jin), who lost everything to vicious loan shark Ryu Hee-gyu (Jae-gyun Lee), and his decision to stake his own eyes as collateral to sell 7,000 pairs and repay 100 million won was both a conviction as a trading company man and the instinct of the human Kang Taepung.
To prove that conviction, Taepung foresaw the future when "an era will come when people watch videos to buy goods," produced a promotional video he planned himself, and actively promoted it by showing videotapes to foreign buyers. He even used the dance skills from his Apgujeong bad-boy days to personally demonstrate the safety shoes' performance; his sense was ahead of its time. Based on the analysis that the market was one of strict industrial safety laws, Taepung targeted Europe and the United States for exports and closed deals, demonstrating the survival skills of a trading company man who steadfastly carved out his own path even amid the fierce rains of the IMF era.
Although he succeeded in the safety shoe contract, he was blacklisted by shipping companies due to the interference of Byung Pyo-jun (Moo-jin Seong), who envied him, cutting off sea routes, and he was doused with salt by the captain of a deep-sea fishing vessel. But Taepung does not waver even in crisis. His figure, which ultimately takes root amid the fierce storm of the IMF, resembles the sturdy vitality of people that "Typhoon Family" aims to portray.
Carrying on the belief left by his father (Dong-il Sung) that "people are more important than results," Taepung has become a seed on that fruit and is growing on his own. Rising again nourished by the trust and honesty of those around him, he is broadening his path with a belief in people. Expectations are rising for what flowers and fruits Taepung's sense, keen eye, judgment and faith in people will yield.
Viewers are curious what other wild feat will lead Taepung to load safety shoes onto a deep-sea fishing vessel; episode 7 of "Typhoon Family" airs tonight (1) at 9:10 p.m. on tvN.
[Photo] tvN
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