Shin Saimdang, subject of the drama “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors,” was a real person in Korean history. Born in 1504, her real name was Shin In-sun and she was a famous poet, writer, calligrapher and painter. She was the first woman to be printed on Korean currency, the 50,000-won note.
Shin was the eldest of five daughters in a Confucian era, when boys were favored. Her grandfather educated Shin as if she were his grandson. Her education and high social class allowed her to have many children, some of whom went on to become civil servants. Most notable was her son Yi I, whose pen name is Yulgok, who is one of the most respected Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty and is pictured on the 5,000-won note. On the backside of this note is his mother’s artwork.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Perfect Bride”
Episodes 49 and 50
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Bong and Ki-ja are happily dating. They get couple rings. Soo-jo gives Ji-ha a stroller as a present. Ji-ha feels both burdened and happy at Soo-jo’s attention.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-soon attends Ddol’s first day of school alone. Gab-dol and Young-ran are glued to each other, as they keep working together. Gab-soon starts to question their relationship.
“Whisper”
Episodes 4 and 5
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-joo barely escapes the club with an unconscious Dong-joon. Dong-joon accepts Young-joo’s offer to catch Soo-yun and Jung-il. Dong-joon starts to close in on them. Jung-il finds out Dong-joon’s assistant Yun-hwa is actually Shin Chang-ho’s daughter, Shin Young-joo.
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-joo and Dong-joon try to get the performance test results of the bulletproof vest, which is in Soo-yun’s safe. Soo-yun and Jung-il work together to prove Dong-joon slept with the defendant’s daughter, asking the judge for an internal audit. As Young-joo is devastated over Chang-ho’s cancer, Jung-il makes a proposition on a stay of execution of the sentence.
“Saimdang, Memoir of Colors”
Episodes 23 and 24
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Under the king’s royal order, Yi Gyum and Saimdang are to paint his portrait together. The king schemes to push out Saimdang, who won people’s hearts, along with Yi Gyum. Much to the king’s dismay, their finished portrait is received with much love from the people.
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Yi Gyum faces off against Min Chi-hyung, who has kidnapped Saimdang. Whieumdang rescues Saimdang, asking her to look after her son. Yi Gyum discovers Min Chi-hyung was under the king’s order to get rid of him and Saimdang. He confronts the king with a sword.
“Band of Sisters”
Episodes 1 and 2
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Ha-ri and Jae-il finally get married and happily leave for their honeymoon, when they realize the brakes are faulty. Eun-hyang comes home to find her house on fire with her daughter inside. The ambulance headed for the accident site gets into a multiple-car accident.
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Ha-ri comes to pay her respects to Jae-il’s parents. She’s shocked to find that her sister’s teacher is Jae-il’s father. Jae-il’s parents are not happy to meet the girl their son wants to marry. Dal-hee is framed for theft and is on the verge of being fired.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
