The South Korean drama scene is undergoing a notable shift, as OTT-exclusive content increasingly dominates viewer interest. Yet amid this wave of bold, high-rated originals, tvN’s Typhoon Family has remarkably held its own—ranking No. 1 in drama buzz for three consecutive weeks.
According to the Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex results for the first week of November, Typhoon Family scored a 13.52% buzz share across both TV and OTT dramas, surpassing popular 19+ OTT originals. The drama’s sustained popularity highlights its unique crossover appeal to both traditional and digital audiences.
Typhoon Family, a weekend drama airing on tvN, first topped the chart in the fourth week of October and has not budged since. Episode 10, aired on November 9, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 9.4% (Nielsen Korea), setting a new high for the series. Set during the 1997 IMF crisis, the show paints a realistic portrait of workplace dynamics and personal growth amid economic turmoil, winning praise for its complex characters, compelling societal themes, and nuanced performances.
Leading the cast are Junho (as Kang Tae-poong) and Kim Min-ha (as Oh Mi-seon), whose chemistry continues to garner acclaim. Their dynamic—combining Tae-poong’s fast instincts with Mi-seon’s analytical precision—forms the narrative’s emotional and strategic core. Dubbed the “Crisis-Busting Duo,” they consistently steer the company through challenges, turning obstacles into opportunities.
With six episodes remaining, viewers are eager to see how this powerful synergy evolves. Typhoon Family airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM KST.
OTT 19+ Originals Sweep 2nd to 4th Place
While Typhoon Family stands alone as a broadcast drama in the top rankings, the rest of the top four slots are claimed by OTT-only 19+ titles, underlining a growing appetite for mature, boundary-pushing content.
2nd place: Dear X (Tving, 12.19%)—Starring Kim Yoo-jung, this drama shocked fans with her drastic image transformation. Its intense themes of violence, desire, and female identity have sparked strong reactions, making it her boldest role yet.
3rd place: The Manipulated (Disney+, 12.15%)—Led by Ji Chang-wook and Do Kyung-soo, this psychological thriller explores the darkness of urban human relationships. Its intricate narrative and stunning visuals have made it one of Disney+’s standout titles this year.
4th place: As You Stood By (Netflix, 9.67%)—A remake of the Japanese novel Naomi to Kanako, this Korean adaptation has polarized audiences with its violent content and provocative plot. Still, it’s earning praise as a new direction for female-led thrillers in Korea.
Notably, all three of these OTT titles are rated 19+, a trend that reflects the platform’s growing ability to tackle topics and storytelling styles deemed too risky for traditional broadcasters.
Rounding Out the Top 10: Broadcast Dramas Resurface
From 5th place onward, the list features a blend of dramas from major networks and streaming platforms:
- The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, JTBC – 8.82%
- Would You Marry Me?, SBS – 7.03%
- Moon River, MBC – 5.91%
- Nice to Not Meet You, tvN – 5.77%
- Ms. Incognito, ENA – 5.45%
- Genie, Make a Wish, Netflix – 4.47%
The contrast between these diverse offerings demonstrates how Korea’s drama ecosystem continues to evolve, where OTT and TV coexist—each targeting different viewer appetites.
As Typhoon Family continues its winning streak, it raises a compelling question: Can traditional TV dramas maintain relevance and buzz in an era dominated by edgy OTT content? For now, at least, the answer seems to be yes.
Sources: wikitree