Episode 2 of Typhoon Family focuses on Tae-Poong trying to learn the ropes of Typhoon Trading after his father’s funeral. It’s also about how Tae-Poong never truly communicated with his father and wasn’t able to tell him everything he wanted to before he passed. But the same goes for Mr. Kang as well. This is why we say communication is key, especially between two men, eh? Jokes aside, the episode is slightly emotional but not nearly as hard-hitting as that one scene from Reply 1989, also starring Sung Dong-Il. Anyway, why did the man have to die? Tae-Poong could’ve learned his lesson if he were just critically ill, no? But fine, I understand; it’s crisis after crisis, or one could say, “One Battle After Another?” At least we get to see him in flashbacks. With that said, though, let’s jump straight into episode 2.
Spoiler Alert
Who Does Tae-Poong Ask For Help?
Episode 2 begins with the “Typhoon Family” preparing for the funeral of Mr. Kang. One of the employees, Go Ma-Jin, is making calls before he breaks down, realizing how much Mr. Kang cared about the company and that he really had nothing to apologize for in that last moment that he visited the office. Soon after, at the funeral, when everything seems to be going okay, an old creditor shows up claiming that Mr. Kang owed him money. He even tries to grab the box that holds the condolence money, but it’s Mi-Sun who speaks up about how Mr. Kang doesn’t owe the guy right now because of the Chuseok break. She basically makes him realize that he’s making a fool of himself trying to steal from the Kang family, rather than handling things in a civil manner. But on the other hand, Tae-Poong’s only rhetoric is to call the man petty for some money. Mr. Choi also makes a visit at the same time, and it seems he’s looking for something specific from Mr. Kang. He had also visited the man during his time at the hospital, but the only thing he asked him was, “Where is it hidden?” Whatever he’s looking for, I assumed it would be in the secret safe, but now it seems like it’s something else.
Speaking of that, later, while looking around his father’s office, Tae-Poong discovers that a family photo had been hiding a key that opens a hidden cabinet with a secret safe in it. Tae-Poong shows up at the office the next day dressed in business casuals to take his dad’s stuff back. Meanwhile, the office workers try to figure out their finances, and Mi-Sun is always first when it comes to the number game. Additionally, she has decided not to attend university in this struggling economy because it won’t benefit anyone. Later, the creditor from earlier shows up again, getting Tae-Poong to sign a joint surety agreement, taking Mr. Kang’s office lease as collateral (did I mention that while Tae-Poong was walking to work, almost all the places said “for sale?”).
When Tae-Poong and Nam-Mo are out, the latter tells him that he’s gotten through the preliminary round to make it as a singer. Tae-Poong rejoices in excitement, only to be reminded by Hyun-Jun that he’s now broke. Nam-Mo tells him to ignore the other guy, though I’m sure their story is not over just yet. When Tae-Poong returns home, he first thinks his mother’s gone cuckoo because all the lights are off in the house, with only Christmas lights on, and his mother digging through boxes, playing around with the mink coat her husband bought her. Turns out she’s also disconnected the phones so that the creditors leave them alone.
Back at work, Tae-Poong is eager to get a code for the secret safe because he thinks it might save him and his father’s company from all the mess they’re in. After an important meeting discussion, which he attends, he asks what 4 digits might be important to the office. Nobody answers him. However, Mi-Sun later tells him it’s 2072, and she gets this from the calligraphy that’s been put up in the office, “Plan for a 100-year business.” The 100th anniversary would be 2072. At Mi-Sun’s place, she gets rid of all her books because there’s no point in studying anymore, considering she skipped the exam. Her sister is no longer in the race to become an air hostess because of the IMF thing either. But Mi-Sun insists that she needs to try again next year.
Later at night, Tae-Poong tries to unlock the safe. He tries all the important dates he can think of, but ultimately, it’s Mi-Sun’s suggestion that works. Inside are savings account passbooks with all of the employees’ names on them, but there’s one for him as well. Turns out, unbeknownst to Tae-Poong, his dad has been depositing 300,000 won regularly to his savings account for his dream. But did Tae-Poong ever tell his dad about his dream? I don’t think so, but we learn that he started to love flowers because of his dad. The passbook is finally what pushes him to cry because his dad’s advice to him is that money and flowers will be around, but people are what matter the most. Finally, the next day at work, he asks Mi-Sun to go out to lunch with him and asks her to help him learn the business. She’s the only one he can turn to for help.
What Happens With Daebang Textiles?
The next day, when Tae-Poong and Mi-Sun get to work, Ma-Jin is heading out to get the shipment to Daebang Textiles. They ask to tag along, and though he’s annoyed, he agrees. Mi-Sun has to go because the fax machine seems to be broken, and she needs to give them the payment receipt in person. At the port, Ma-Jin tells the truck driver that Tae-Poong’s going to be useless at the company and is nothing like his dad, belittling him, but the truck driver says he sees potential. The younglings get left behind while Ma-Jin drives off with the truck drivers. Fortunately, Mi-Sun has the address memorized, and despite his bad driving skills, Tae-Poong drives them there. Mi-Sun’s directions are so good, they get there first, and this allows Tae-Poong to make some interesting observations.
Tae-Poong notices that the phones are not plugged in, and there are no papers or books in the office, i.e., the “stain of time,” as his mother called it, is missing. Also, the heating is off, and everyone in the office is wearing padded jackets to battle the cold. Tae-Poong quickly realizes that something is terribly wrong and that Typhoon Trading should not make the shipment to Daebang. He rushes out of there, but not before telling Mi-Sun to make sure she doesn’t give them the papers or stamp anything.
At the end of Typhoon Family episode 2, Tae-Poong rushes to find the trucks and physically obstructs them from getting to Daebang. Ma-Jin is furious because he doesn’t trust Tae-Poong’s childlike behavior, but the man is literally standing in front of the truck like he’s throwing a tantrum. To make matters worse, he ultimately lies down on the road, making sure that the trucks don’t pass. At first, he’s afraid, but eventually, when the flower petals fall on his face, he’s reminded of his dad and knows he’s making the right decision (hence the episode title “Asphalt Man”). But will Tae-Poong really be able to save “Typhoon Family”? We’ll find out next week.
