‘Typhoon Inc.’ Dominates Buzz Rankings for 2nd Week, Hits New Ratings Highs
tvN’s Saturday-Sunday drama ‘Typhoon Inc.’ is soaring to new heights, maintaining its top position in drama and cast buzz for the second consecutive week.
The latest episode, the 8th, recorded an average nationwide viewership rating of 9.1% (AGB Nielsen Korea, paid households), with a peak of 9.6%. In the Seoul metropolitan area, ratings averaged 9% and peaked at 9.7%, setting a new personal best.
According to the FUNdex rankings released by Good Data Corporation, a leading K-content analysis firm, ‘Typhoon Inc.’ secured the No. 1 spot in TV-OTT drama buzz for the 5th week of October, holding its ground for two weeks straight. The cast also saw immense popularity, with Lee Jun-ho topping the individual buzz chart for the second week, and Kim Min-ha ranking second. Furthermore, the series has been a consistent presence in Netflix’s Global TOP 10 TV (Non-English) list for three consecutive weeks, fueling its widespread discussion.
This remarkable success is largely attributed to the passionate performances of Lee Jun-ho and Kim Min-ha, who fully immersed themselves in their characters. Lee Jun-ho masterfully portrayed Kang Tae-poong, a young man relentlessly pushing forward against all odds, with his signature nuanced emotional expression. He captured the character’s unwavering human warmth and romantic spirit even when faced with harsh realities, adding layers of charisma through his expressions and gaze. The dynamic portrayal of Tae-poong’s various facets—sometimes reckless with passion, other times remarkably delicate—flowed seamlessly through Lee Jun-ho’s acting, enhanced by humor and humanity, completing the image of an outstanding company man shining even amidst crisis.
Kim Min-ha brought the ‘K-eldest daughter’ Oh Mi-sun to life with a three-dimensional portrayal of a diligent and responsible character. She breathed vitality into a potentially straightforward role with her distinctive subtle expressions and dynamic acting that utilized her entire body. Within the character’s honest and sturdy core, wit and energy shone through. Her comedic moments possessed a palpable rhythm, and her emotional outbursts conveyed deep resonance, skillfully driving the narrative’s nuances with just her facial expressions. Her performance transcended that of a mere realistic office worker, creating an endearing Mi-sun that audiences could empathize with and adore, adding warmth to the drama.
Crucially, both actors engaged in constant dialogue on set, meticulously building scene details together. Beyond the script’s emotions, their chemistry and spontaneous ad-libs, along with subtle glances, amplified the characters’ realism. This process infused scenes between Tae-poong and Mi-sun with genuine breath, naturally bringing to life humor and emotional depth. The actors’ vivid energy infused ‘Typhoon Inc.’s narrative with a sense of everyday life and warmth, making the world of company men relying on each other through crises more convincing.
The struggles of the company men who refuse to give up unfold with a mix of humor and poignancy, delivering thrilling catharsis to viewers. Their intense survival story, striving to live together amidst the harsh reality of the IMF crisis, leaves a moving impression with each episode, like a small miracle. As the unwavering hope and solidarity in the face of crisis resonate deeply with the audience, anticipation is building for the next chapter, focusing on the fate of sales manager Go Ma-jin (Lee Chang-hoon), who has been apprehended by Thai police, and how Tae-poong and Mi-sun will overcome this impending crisis.
Netizens are showering the drama with praise, with comments like, 'Lee Jun-ho's acting is truly amazing,' and 'Thanks to Kim Min-ha, I'm completely hooked on the drama.' Many are also expressing their anticipation for future episodes, saying, 'I can't wait for next week,' and 'The OST is so good too.'