Lee Joon-ho Navigates IMF Crisis in 'The Typhoon Corporation,' Securing Top Ratings

tvN's weekend drama 'The Typhoon Corporation' has once again captured the top spot in viewership ratings, delivering a powerful narrative of resilience amidst the IMF crisis.

The 7th episode, aired on the 1st, garnered an average nationwide viewership rating of 8.2% and a peak of 9.3%, making it the number one program in its timeslot across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters. The 2049 target demographic rating also secured the top position with an average of 2.2% nationwide.

The episode highlighted the enduring human spirit and the power of solidarity. Cha Seon-tak (played by Kim Jae-hwa), a health drink vendor, quietly offered yogurt to homeless children. Gu Ma-jin's (played by Lee Chang-hoon) father, a shoemaker, slipped money into his son's pocket despite his own hardships. Yoon-seong (played by Yang Byung-yeol), separated from his family, repaid his friend Kang Tae-pung (played by Lee Joon-ho) with his first paycheck.

Amidst a nationwide gold-collecting campaign to repay national debt, Tae-pung's mother, Jung Jeong-mi (played by Kim Ji-young), contributed her wedding ring, symbolizing collective sacrifice. A food stall owner (played by Nam Kwon-ah) offered words of encouragement, stating, “Even with no money or anything else, as long as you have people by your side, you can get through it.”

The critical issue of shipping safety boots for an offshore fishing vessel was resolved through the efforts of Jung Cha-ran (played by Kim Hye-eun), president of Hongshin Sanghoe, and Park Yun-cheol (played by Jin Sun-kyu), president of Shoopack, who had experience with oil tankers. During this process, the identity of Tae-pung's father, Kang Jin-young (played by Sung Dong-il), also known as 'Caesar Kang,' was revealed.

Displaying remarkable quick-thinking, Tae-pung managed to evade police inspection by scattering flour from a flour sack, allowing the safety boots to be loaded onto the ship. In a moment of panic, Oh Mi-seon (played by Kim Min-ha) prepared to jump into the sea with a lifebuoy, fearing Tae-pung had fallen overboard, but was relieved when he returned safely. Tae-pung confessed his feelings to Mi-seon, saying, “I think I like you, Ms. Oh.”

Tae-pung successfully settled his debt with a predatory moneylender, earning over $10,000 in profit. In contrast, Pyo Hyun-joon (played by Moo Jin-sung), who had plotted Tae-pung's downfall, faced harsh criticism from his father, Pyo Bak-ho (played by Kim Sang-ho), and incurred financial losses.

Having secured both financial stability and trust, Tae-pung immediately began searching for his next venture. While exploring potential export items at an expo, he found inspiration in the "helmets that are number one in Europe and America" currently being manufactured at Yoon-seong's factory. Although the export item was found, the method of execution remained elusive. Tae-pung sought guidance from Ma-jin, the former sales manager, asking him to teach him the ropes. Initially hesitant due to the risks involved with the struggling Typhoon Corporation, Ma-jin was eventually persuaded by Tae-pung's sincerity and arrived at the company with a helmet.

Netizens lauded the drama's compelling storyline and the cast's powerful performances, with particular praise for Lee Joon-ho and Kim Jae-hwa. Comments like 'Lee Joon-ho's acting is incredible,' 'The depiction of the IMF era is so authentic,' and 'Kim Jae-hwa's acting is chilling' flooded online forums. Many also expressed excitement about the developing romance between Tae-pung and Mi-seon.