‘Typhoon Inc.’ Art Director Kim Min-hye: “Reviving 1997 Like Opening a Time Capsule”
tvN's weekend drama ‘Typhoon Inc.’ is garnering heated responses for its meticulous restoration of the 1997 IMF financial crisis era. Art Director Kim Min-hye, who played a crucial role in the drama's immersion, shared the behind-the-scenes efforts to perfectly recreate the period.
Director Kim focused on writer Jang Hyun’s intention: “I wanted to capture the spirit of the era, not just its aesthetics.” To achieve this, she aimed to visually express how the corporate culture of the time, where ‘the company was family,’ and the individualistic values of the younger generation became intertwined through the IMF crisis. Before the crisis, Kang Tae-poong’s (Lee Joon-ho) spaces were depicted as free and vibrant, while Oh Mi-seon’s (Kim Min-ha) spaces were subdued with lower saturation, reflecting the weight of reality.
To accurately portray the specific year 1997, Director Kim and her art team extensively researched documentaries, news footage, newspapers, magazines, press photos, and local archive materials from the period. There were days spent entirely in libraries immersed in research. Special attention was paid to subtle differences in font kerning and strokes of signboards. The graphic design incorporated the blue and yellow tones of Euljiro, the hot pink and purple colors against white backgrounds of Apgujeong’s English signs, and the red, yellow, and blue commonly used by printing companies of the time, all contributing to the authentic period feel. The sets were completed referencing 1990s Korean architecture books and university library resources.
Regarding Euljiro, now known as a ‘Newtro’ hotspot, Director Kim noted, “Back then, Euljiro was a bustling space where countless office workers commuted.” She recalled its transformation into a lonelier street after the IMF crisis, filled with shuttered businesses, yet emphasized its significance as a place holding traces of the parent generation’s lives. The drama portrays Euljiro as a space to glimpse the intense lives of the past, with scenes of people in suits walking the streets holding newspapers.
The ‘Typhoon Inc.’ office was designed to reflect the sophisticated taste of Kang Jin-young (Sung Dong-il), who led the company since the early 1970s, and his vision for a ‘100-year company.’ To foster a family-like atmosphere, the office featured an open layout and a glass-windowed CEO’s office. Imported furniture, unique flooring, a self-assembled ceiling, American-style light fixtures, and round pillar walls showcased his aesthetic. Finding the green stone cladding the office interior required extensive searching. Sourcing props was also challenging. Computers were acquired through online auctions, and a Telex machine, located in a museum in Daejeon, was borrowed after considerable persuasion. Many other 1990s props were found through second-hand markets, auctions, or imported.
For the Thailand filming scenes, references included films, dramas, and documentaries from the era. With the help of local staff, natural everyday life and color palettes were emphasized. The Thailand sets filmed in Korea were meticulously recreated with large banners in common Thai colors like purple, pink, and light green, characteristic ventilation blocks found in Thai architecture, small prayer spaces, and tile textures, reflecting the local ambiance.
Director Kim encouraged viewers to look forward to the art team's continued efforts in exploring and challenging new spaces alongside Tae-poong in the second half of the drama. She also highlighted the diverse products that will feature, given the company’s nature as a trading firm. ‘Typhoon Inc.’ airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM on tvN.
Netizens are praising the drama's detailed historical accuracy, with comments like, “It feels like time-traveling to the 90s.” Many expressed awe at the art director's efforts, saying, “It’s amazing how they recreated every small detail so perfectly,” and “Thanks to this, I could immerse myself in the drama.”