Kim Min Ha is ready to prove once again why she is one of the most exciting rising actresses in Korean dramaland!
After earning global acclaim for her nuanced and emotional performance in Pachinko, the actress is returning to television with tvN’s new weekend drama Typhoon Family, premiering this October. This time, she takes on the role of Oh Mi-sun, a character who embodies the determination and resilience of South Korea’s young people during the 1997 IMF financial crisis.
Typhoon Family (directed by Lee Na-jung, written by Jang Hyun, and produced by Studio Dragon in collaboration with Imagineus, Studio PIC, and Tree Studio) tells the story of Kang Tae-pung (played by Lee Jun Ho), an inexperienced man who suddenly finds himself as the president of a trading company. The catch? He has no employees, no capital, and nothing to sell. Set against the backdrop of South Korea’s financial collapse, the drama promises to mix survival, humor, and heartfelt stories that reflect how ordinary people kept moving forward despite economic despair.
The production team has emphasized that the drama will not only revisit the struggles of 1997 but also deliver comfort and courage to viewers today, many of whom may be facing their own uncertain times.
Kim Min Ha as Oh Mi-sun, the “Brain Manager” of 1997
In Typhoon Family, Kim Min Ha plays Oh Mi-sun, an accountant who is both practical and ambitious. She is introduced as the textbook example of a “K-eldest daughter”: someone who sacrifices her own comfort to support her family financially. Despite her heavy responsibilities at home, Mi-sun dreams of a bigger world and a professional career.
Her character is meticulous and highly skilled—earning her the nickname “human Excel” for her ability to organize receipts, calculate figures without error, and keep everything in perfect order. Even in an era where her daily tasks include housework and repetitive office chores, her bright determination never fades. She studies English every morning through “Oh Sung-sik’s Good Morning Pops,” carefully reads editorials, and scans job ads in discarded newspapers, preparing herself for opportunities beyond her immediate circumstances.
The released stills of Mi-sun show her tapping away at a calculator with focus and precision, embodying the quiet strength and discipline that defined so many young people navigating the IMF crisis.
One of the key arcs of the drama is Mi-sun’s relationship with Kang Tae-pung. While Tae-pung stumbles his way into leadership, Mi-sun evolves from a diligent accountant into someone who begins to embody the qualities of a leader herself—eventually nicknamed “Boss Mi-sun.” Their intertwined journeys highlight the resilience, fierce will, and passion of youth who had no choice but to fight for survival during one of South Korea’s toughest economic periods.
The production team praised Kim Min-ha’s performance, noting:
“She delivers details and dense acting that fully embody that era. She brings authenticity to the stories of ordinary people who survived the IMF crisis in 1997.”
They also emphasized that Mi-sun’s “record of youth” will resonate deeply with audiences, offering both comfort and inspiration.
Why Kim Min Ha is the Perfect Fit for Period Dramas
Kim Min-ha’s international breakthrough came with Apple TV+’s Pachinko, where she portrayed the young Sunja, a woman navigating love, hardship, and identity during the Japanese colonial period. Her delicate yet powerful performance earned praise from both critics and global audiences, proving her ability to breathe life into historical characters.
Now, with Typhoon Family, Kim Min-ha is once again stepping into a role that requires her to channel the struggles of an ordinary woman during extraordinary times. From colonial-era Korea in Pachinko to the IMF-era struggles of Typhoon Boss, she is establishing herself as an actress who can authentically portray characters rooted in history, emotion, and survival.
Fans won’t have to wait long. Typhoon Family is scheduled to premiere on tvN in October 2025 as a Saturday-Sunday drama. Given its strong creative team, star-studded cast led by Lee Jun-ho and Kim Min-ha, and its relatable yet inspiring storyline, it is expected to become one of the standout K-dramas of the season.
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