South Korean tennis star Chung Hyeon arrived to a large crowd of fans at Incheon International Airport last week after an impressive showing at the Australian Open in Melbourne that catapulted him to celebrity status in his home country.
Chung, 21, is the first South Korean tennis player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal. He defeated former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic to get into the quarterfinals and then beat Tennys Sandgren to reach the semifinal, where he met the legendary Roger Federer. Unfortunately, Chung decided to withdraw due to blisters on his foot.
As a result of his successes, Chung’s ranking by the Association of Tennis Professionals jumped from 58th to 29th — the highest ever for a South Korean. His youth and newfound celebrity status are sure to provide a boost to the tennis industry in South Korea as he quickly becomes an idol for many youths interested in the sport.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Rebel”
Episodes 15-16
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Gildong faces off with a bunch of the town’s hoodlums. Prince Chungwon meets Song Do-hwan and schemes to escape from his exile.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Prince Choongwon returns to the capital after four years as quite a different man. Gildong is enraged to hear rumors of Ga-ryong’s relationship with another man. Ga-ryong finally confesses her feelings.
“Oh, The Mysterious”
Episodes 29-30
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jin-young is shocked when Pil-seung collapses after drinking the water she gave him. Il-seung comforts her. Director Gook comes to the police station to give information on the Odong Blowfish Restaurant murder case and gets closer to obtaining evidence against Lee Kwang-ho.
Episodes 31-32
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Soo-chil finds out the truth about Jong-sam’s identity and orders him arrested. Prosecutor Kim comes to the rescue. After leaving the department, Jong-sam comes across vital evidence. Pil-seong tries to reverse the case using the evidence held by Butler Cha.
“Return”
Episodes 5-6
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Dok-go Young reminds Ja-hye of the heinous things the men have committed with their parents at their back. Tae-suk warns the princes to remember that they did the murder together. Dok-go Young tells Na-ra she needs to find Joon-hee to prove her husband’s innocence. Joon-hee heads for the police station, saying he’d prove In-ho’s innocence.
Episodes 7-8
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Everyone is suspicious of the murder location. Hak-bum denies knowing anything and works on an alibi. Dok-go is targeted, making him want to get to the truth even more. Dok-go and Ja-hye have a tug of war over the case.
“Bravo My Life”
Episodes 45-46
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Joon-ho’s father tells him to bring Hye-mi home, and he’s forced to beg her. RaRa’s condition deteriorates rapidly to the point of being unable to recall Do-na’s name. Dong-woo changes the script to accommodate her. Bum-woo and Do-na make the news.
Episodes 47-48
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-woong is heartbroken over RaRa’s condition. Dong-woo is in pain thinking RaRa will leave. Bum-woo is on the verge of getting sued over an endorsement contract. RaRa reveals her condition to Hwa-im to plead with her to let Dong-woo be.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
