'Typhoon Company', which deals with the IMF period of 1997, is coming. Will the collaboration of actors Lee Junho and Kim Min-ha, along with the delicate directing of Lee Na-jung, be able to continue the high box office success recorded by the previous work 'The Chef of the Tyrant'?
On the afternoon of the 1st, a production presentation for tvN's new weekend drama 'Typhoon Company' (directed by Lee Na-jung, written by Jang Hyun, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Imaginerus, Studio PIC, and Tristudio) was held at The Link Seoul Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Lee Na-jung, Lee Junho, and Kim Min-ha.
'Typhoon Company' depicts the struggles and growth of 'Kang Tae-poong', a rookie businessman who becomes the president of a trading company with no employees, no money, and nothing to sell during the 1997 IMF crisis.
Through the heartwarming survival stories of ordinary people who did not stop their lives and held their ground even during a time when it felt like the world had ended due to the crisis that hit South Korea, the drama aims to provide warm comfort and courage to those who are going through tough times today.
On this day, director Lee Na-jung introduced the drama by saying, "While many period dramas set in 1997 focus on the dark stories of companies or countries, or on romance and nostalgia, 'Typhoon Company' portrays how ordinary people who lived during that time worked and overcame challenges in a cheerful and warm tone."
'Typhoon Company' is a sequel to the popular drama 'The Chef of the Tyrant'. Lee Junho, who worked with Im Yoon-a, the lead actor of 'The Chef of the Tyrant', in the previous work 'King the Land', shared, "The actors from 'King the Land' had a messenger group where we congratulated each other and exchanged good wishes."
He continued, "Since 'The Chef of the Tyrant' achieved global success, I believe there will be expectations for our sequel as well," adding, "We are looking forward to it with the mindset of carrying on the good energy."
He further elaborated, "Our big goal is to create a complete story for the drama in our own way," and stated, "We are focusing well on the filming."
Director Lee Na-jung explained that to ensure authenticity, they even brought props from museums that were used in 1997 for filming, saying, "The goal was to recreate the office of that time as it was, while also trying to give it a warm and soft feel."
Lee Junho, who plays the immature character Kang Tae-poong in 'Typhoon Company', established a one-man agency after leaving JYP Entertainment this year. He mentioned that while filming 'Typhoon Company', he felt a strong connection to the character Kang Tae-poong.
Lee Junho said, "Personally, after launching my company, I started filming 'Typhoon Company', and since all these schedules happened simultaneously, I found it interesting that I could focus more on the character Kang Tae-poong and relate to him in many ways. Watching the first episode, I felt a lot of similarities between my experiences this year and those of Tae-poong, which made me feel a connection to the character."
Kim Min-ha, who plays the sharp accountant Oh Mi-seon in 'Typhoon Company', described it as "a beautiful work." He said, "I was drawn to its warmth, and there are moments when it feels beautiful and nostalgic, which are precious. There is no character in the drama that doesn't shine."
Director Lee Na-jung commented on Kim Min-ha, saying, "On the first day of filming and reading, when his face appeared on screen and he delivered his lines, my co-writer and I felt we could capture the essence of the era we wanted to portray all at once. I think it is meaningful that we created the most Korean drama-like drama with good actors."
The two actors particularly praised their chemistry, saying they had a great rapport. Kim Min-ha remarked, "It was really good and fun," adding, "Even when we did something unexpected, we accepted it and kept creating more interesting scenes."
Lee Junho added, "Even when we were just standing there looking at each other without lines, there was a subtle chemistry. After feeling that fun, we tried to fill in the ad-libs and empty spaces, which I think added a lot of enjoyment to the drama. I believe that is another charm point of the drama."
Having recorded box office success through his works, Lee Junho expressed his ambition for the success of 'Typhoon Company' as well. He said, "As a person, I have desires, and there are always things I want. I believe that good works and good timing come together to create such situations," and added, "This time, I want to be ambitious because I have good people, good timing, and a good story."
Director Lee Na-jung, who conducted research and investigation to ensure authenticity for the 1997 setting, shared, "It was a difficult time, but there was no disagreement that many people overcame it together without losing energy or spirit in our country," and said, "While preparing, I felt heartbroken at times, but at the same time, I learned that this is how we overcome challenges."
Finally, Lee Junho stated, "I believe viewers will not regret watching this work," and added, "I think it will evoke great nostalgia from autumn to winter. I hope you enjoy it." Kim Min-ha also expressed, "I think it will air right after a long holiday and continue until it gets really cold, and I hope it becomes a work that warmly wraps around the cold winds," raising expectations.
'Typhoon Company' will premiere on the 11th at 9:10 PM on tvN.
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
