Actor Lee Junho has opened up about his experience filming tvN’s hit weekend drama “Typhoon Family”, which wrapped up on November 30 with an impressive 10.3% final rating. The series, set during the 1997 IMF crisis, follows the chaotic rise of Kang Taepung — a young man who unexpectedly becomes the CEO of a failing trading company after his father’s sudden death.
Junho brought Taepung’s journey to life with heartfelt emotion, humor, and grit, turning the character into one of the year’s most beloved underdog heroes.
“I spent over a year on this project — it’s not easy to say goodbye.”
Junho first received the script more than a year ago, and the drama became a major part of his life:
“I poured so much time and love into this project. Of course every work is precious, but Typhoon Family left especially strong emotions behind. It’s hard to let it go.”
The finale surpassing 10% viewership felt particularly meaningful:
“I quietly hoped we’d pass 10%. It kept hovering around the line, so seeing it finally cross made me really happy — not just for me but for the entire team.”
The most physically demanding role of his career
Kang Taepung is no ordinary office worker. He climbs, runs, struggles, negotiates, and breaks down — all while trying to save the company left in his care.
Junho laughed as he recalled the filming experience:
“Taepung is supposed to suffer — and so did I. With the IMF setting, his struggles had to feel real.”
The team endured brutal cold and intense heat while filming, especially during a tough early shoot in Busan:
“We filmed on a real ship. Everyone took motion sickness pills — even the staff. Once the boat sailed out, we couldn’t return until everything was filmed.”
Beyond the physical demands, the emotional transitions were just as challenging:
“Taepung laughs, cries, bursts with frustration, softens again… his emotions move so fast. I worked hard to make those shifts natural.”
Real-life parallels: “Leaving JYP helped me understand Taepung.”
One of the most surprising revelations was how closely Junho’s personal life mirrored Taepung’s storyline.
In Typhoon Family, Taepung suddenly becomes a CEO overnight — a situation Junho related to after leaving JYP Entertainment to start an independent path.
“I didn’t leave JYP thinking, ‘Time to build a one-person agency.’ It just happened naturally. But Taepung being pushed into running a company felt similar to me starting fresh after 18 years.”
He also expressed warmth toward his former agency:
“JYP was like amazing parents — they supported me so much. Even after leaving, they cheered me on. I’m still learning every day.”
What did the 2PM members say? Junho bursts into laughter: “Nothing!”
Junho joked that his 2PM bandmates didn’t send dramatic reactions:
“We’re embarrassed giving compliments. If someone says ‘Good job,’ we ask, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ That’s the kind of family we are.”
Still, one member spoke up:
“Wooyoung said he enjoyed watching it. So thank you, Wooyoung!”
Next project: Netflix’s Cashero
Junho’s busy schedule isn’t slowing down. On December 26, his new Netflix series “Cashero” will premiere, where he plays a quirky superhero whose power depends on the amount of cash he’s holding.
With Typhoon Family ending on a high and another major release coming soon, Junho’s momentum is stronger than ever — proving once again why audiences love him both on screen and off.