The highly anticipated new Korean drama “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” starts this week. The female star of this series is Young-ae Lee, who is making a return to the small screen after 14 years. Most will recognize her from one of the most popular K-dramas ever, “Dae Jang Geum,” in 2003.
Lee plays Saimdang Shin, a famous artist and calligrapher in the 16th-century Joseon era. The drama started airing in Korea the last week of January and already has a strong viewer base. Lee got married to a Korean-American businessman at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in 2009. Since then the resort is known by the nickname “Lee Young-ae’s hotel” to many Korean visitors.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Perfect Bride” — Episodes 27 and 28
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Shi-nae blows up when she finds out Se-gye resigned. She barges into Se-gye’s home and tells them to take Se-gye back. Finding out about Se-gye, Nae-shim calls Joong-nyun back home. Geum-shik sells all his assets and investments to make up for the loss the company incurred because of him.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-soon is concerned about her mother’s changed demeanor. She searches Nae-shim’s room for clues and is shocked at the divorce papers. Meanwhile, Gab-dol takes proactive steps to change his damaged relationship with Gab-soon.
“Dr. Romantic” — Episode 21 (final)
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Dong-joo hides the letter he received from the U.S. Seo-jung is bothered by Dong-joo’s distracted demeanor after receiving the letter. To everyone’s surprise, Teacher Kim’s first love visits Doldam Hospital.
“Innocent Defendant” — Episode 1
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-woo, a competent prosecutor, wakes up the day after his daughter’s birthday in a jail cell. He’s confused by being surrounded by prisoners, not by his loving family. Sun-ho meets up with Min-ho, who’s been named as a suspect in a murder case.
“Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” — Episodes 1 and 2
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Seo Ji-yoon, a lecturer of Korean art history, gets tangled in an authenticity dispute over Ankyun’s painting “Keumkangsando.” Professor Min, Ji-yoon’s supervising faculty, supports the authenticity of the painting. Ji-yoon unnerves Professor Min and is cast aside from a symposium in Italy. She comes across an antique book while roaming the streets in Italy.
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Ji-yoon discovers the antique book and finds the hidden story of Saimdang. A young Saimdang jumps the wall to see Ankyun’s paintings and runs into Yi Gyum.
“Happy Home” — Episode 30 and 31
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-ri gets furious at Jin-hwa for drawing on her face. Kang-min tells Sam-bong he will take Hae-won over the family. Ji-gun gets into an accident, which disables him from working as a surgeon.
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Sook-nyo announces she will no longer cook for the family. Hae-ryung tells Gyeong-ok that she saw her at the accident site. Hyun-ki asks Hae-ryung to accompany him for the last time to Seo-jin’s memorial service.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
