Image Courtesy of Netflix

MASTERY FILMS – FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY

Behind the scenes of the Production Services of Netflix's Typhoon Family Korean Film Production in Thailand

Netflix's hit Korean drama Typhoon Family needed to recreate Thailand during the 1997 IMF crisis for its internationally acclaimed production. They turned to the newly established Bangkok-based film production company, Mastery Films, to make it happen. The result was a seamless, production service in locations across multiple provinces in Thailand that brought to life one of 2025's most-watched K-dramas. From floating markets and riverfront ports to well-dressed Chinatown streets locked off for filming, Mastery Films delivered on time and on budget for the Korean Film Production in Thailand.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how the production came together, what it took to pull it off, and what international productions can learn from the experience.

The exact role of Mastery Films on Typhoon Family was to serve as the full-service production company for the Thailand portion of filming for Typhoon Family; handling everything from prep through shoot. The scope was comprehensive: location scouting, film permits, work permits for the foreign crew, accommodations, and the assembly of all local departments. Mastery Films began prep work in April 2025 and wrapped the Thailand shoot in early July, with several key production roles were filled in-house as follows: 

• Andrew Millet – Line Producer
• Ai Chanyanuch – Production Manager
• Ace Nawalakul – Production Coordinator
• Cathrine Hedley – Production Coordinator
• Lenah Chantakarn – Art Director

Beyond the in-house team, Mastery Films sourced and managed virtually every local department the shoot required.

Notably, the company also extended its support to the Korean production team when they returned home, providing picture vehicles and local talents for scenes that couldn't be completed during the Thailand shoot. 

On the larger shoot days, the production swelled to between 300 and 400 people, including cast, crew, and extras. On some days alone, over 100 extras were on set. The physical footprint was substantial—at peak, the production was running two to three motorhomes for our VIP cast, wardrobe trucks, HMU trucks, toilet trucks and more. Mastery Films supplied virtually every local department: production crew, lighting and grip, camera support, locations team, art department, set dressing, picture vehicles, craft and catering, casting, hair and makeup, and wardrobe. 

All lighting and grip equipment for the shoot was sourced locally in Thailand. Most of the camera equipment was flown in by the Korean crew for the shoot, so only camera department accessories were sourced from Thailand. Mastery Films also provided full local transportation throughout the project. Production vans assigned per department, and also VIP vehicles for celebrity talents.

Working on a production destined for a global streaming platform like Netflix raises the bar across every department. There is an implicit expectation of quality that permeates every decision—from location selection to prop sourcing to the standard of catering. For Mastery Films, that meant maintaining a constant eye on production quality while simultaneously managing costs with the discipline that any large-scale shoot demands. Unlike a commercial shoot, which has a finite and often brief run, a long-format drama production requires sustained momentum over weeks and months. Crew morale, consistency of quality, and the ability to absorb last-minute changes without compromising output are all critical, and more challenging to maintain the longer a production runs.

Mastery Films approaches every production—commercial, feature, or streaming series—with the same commitment to quality. But Netflix-level work sharpens focus in ways that other productions don't always demand.

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Let’s talk about the Filming Locations in Thailand for this shoot.

The Thailand filming locations were quite extensive. The director wanted to embody the characteristics of Thailand in the 1990s. Here’s a quick breakdown.

The three-month prep period was essential to making those 10 days as efficient as possible—every location locked, every permit secured, every department briefed well before the first camera rolled.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

Film Permits, Visas, and Work Permits

Thailand Film Permits for the shoot along with visas and work permits approvals of course were always of paramount importance to us. Apart from the standard Thailand Film Permit for the shoot, location-specific permits, along with the work permits for all the cast and crew from abroad, there were other major permitting hurdles for the shoot.

The Thailand Drone Permit proved to be a bit more complex than the international production expected. In Thailand, every drone must be registered with both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Because virtually all of Bangkok falls within restricted airspace, each drone shoot requires a separate area-specific permit from the CAAT—and if the shoot is near a royal palace, an additional layer of approval is required. There was also drone usage at night, which is a restricted flying time, so we had to get additional permissions for that as well. Visit the NBTC website for more information on Thailand drone permits.

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As a Thailand Film Production Company, what do you think International Productions should know about Production Services here?

Firstly, I think locations are a highly underestimated aspect in Thailand. As a film production company in Thailand, we are able to provide far more versatile location options than most people think. Thailand as a filming destination is much more than just what its postcard reputation suggests. Yes, there are beaches, temples and floating markets, but there are also colonial-era ports, dense urban neighbourhoods that can be dressed for virtually any period, and a landscape that can stand convincingly for multiple countries and eras for your production services. Throughout the years, Thailand has been chosen to double as another filming country altogether due to costs, the strong logistical infrastructure and human resources available for film production. 

But perhaps more importantly, international productions should know that they can trust Thai crews. Many of the Thailand crew that worked on Typhoon Family have also worked on major blockbuster productions such as The Hangover Part II, The Meg, Alien: Earth, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and The White Lotus. These are not crews learning on the job—they are experienced, internationally minded professionals who have worked alongside Hollywood, Korean, Chinese, Bollywood, Russian, and European productions. That breadth of experience matters. Thai crews understand that different national productions operate differently—Korean shoots, for example, tend to involve frequent last-minute changes and significant improvisation on the day. A crew that has worked across multiple industries and nationalities takes that in stride. They adapt without losing composure, and that composure is what keeps a shoot on track when things inevitably shift.

And then there's value. Thailand's cost-to-quality ratio for film production is exceptional. Productions that might struggle to afford a certain level of craft in other countries can achieve it here—with crews, equipment, and locations that meet the highest international standards at a fraction of the cost. 

What are the Key Challenges of working with Top-Tier Korean Productions?

Working with a high-profile Korean production brought its own unique set of challenges. The most immediate was scale: celebrity talent requires air-conditioned green rooms or motor homes at every location, 24-hour personal security, and full entourages. Managing all of that while keeping the shoot moving is a logistical puzzle in itself.

Fan management was another dimension the team had to navigate carefully. K-drama fans are passionate and organised—they track filming locations online and show up in numbers. The production had to strike a delicate balance between keeping fans at a safe distance from the shoot and not alienating people whose enthusiasm is, ultimately, part of what makes these productions successful. Allowing fans to feel included while preventing them from disrupting filming or leaking sensitive production details required constant, thoughtful management.

Vehicle logistics were another significant challenge. With the large volume of production vehicles on the road each day across all departments, finding and securing adequate basecamps with sufficient parking was an ongoing task for the location team, especially when filming in the heart of Bangkok. 

Weather also compounded everything—shooting in Thailand means contending with tropical rain, which slows traffic, requires equipment waterproofing, and can threaten flooding on certain sets.

The solution to all of it, ultimately, was people. Having a professional, experienced team that knew how to anticipate problems before they became crises made the difference. The locations team in particular kept every shoot day on track—no locations were lost, time restrictions were worked around, and the production kept moving.