Lee Jun-ho Stirs Up the Small Screen with 'Typhoon Inc.', Heralding a New Sensation

The praise 'He's just too good at acting' comes naturally. Singer and actor Lee Jun-ho is truly creating a 'typhoon' on the small screen with the tvN weekend drama 'Typhoon Inc.'

Playing the lead role of Kang Tae-pung, Lee Jun-ho is exuding an overwhelming presence as the titular character, captivating viewers with his passionate and profound performance. 'Typhoon Inc.' depicts the arduous growth journey of Kang Tae-pung, a novice trading company executive who becomes president of a company with no employees or assets during the 1997 IMF financial crisis. Set in the late 1990s, against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in modern Korean history, the drama unfolds a story that is both cheerful and dramatic, centered around the protagonist's struggles.

Initially, Lee Jun-ho delighted viewers with his natural '90s slang and Seoul dialect. As the story progresses, he delicately portrays Kang Tae-pung's growth as a trading company executive, mirroring the transition from 'in progress' to 'complete' akin to the drama 'Misaeng'. Unlike his previous roles in 'The Red Sleeve' and 'King the Land,' where he showcased charm through already established characters, in 'Typhoon Inc.', he emphasizes his transformation from a privileged 'Orange Tribe' member to a 'novice trading company executive,' highlighting a 'growth character' with a different kind of appeal.

Notably, Lee Jun-ho's ability to maintain character consistency amidst the rapidly changing plot in the drama evokes admiration for his deep character interpretation and intense passion as an 'actor'. The anecdote that he personally purchased 1990s attire with his own money during the preparation phase for the production further proves his exceptional dedication.

Furthermore, Lee Jun-ho does not neglect his romantic acting. In the 13th episode aired on the 22nd, the poignant romance with Oh Mi-seon (played by Kim Min-ha), who miraculously survived a warehouse fire, reached its peak. This storyline connects to Kang Tae-pung's earlier direct confession of 'I love you' to Oh Mi-seon, who had been keeping her distance, heightening viewer immersion.

Concurrently, Lee Jun-ho successfully portrays the weight of responsibility as both a family man and the head of the company. His relentless efforts to prevent the company's bankruptcy, his solitary drinking sessions reflecting on his father's burdens, and his logical approach to saving the company from crisis. Lee Jun-ho's captivating performance encapsulates the rise and fall of 'Typhoon Inc.', adding to the drama's entertainment value.

Fueled by Lee Jun-ho's performance, 'Typhoon Inc.' recorded a personal best viewership rating of 9.9% in its 12th episode, hinting at the potential for a major hit. All eyes are on whether Lee Jun-ho's 'typhoon' will propel 'Typhoon Inc.' to double-digit viewership ratings.

Netizens are flooding online communities and social media with comments such as, 'Lee Jun-ho's acting is insane,' 'What would we have done without Lee Jun-ho?', 'Kang Tae-pung is the perfect character for him,' and 'He really captured the 90s vibe.' They are lavishing praise on his acting skills and ability to embody the character.