This year marks the 44th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Honolulu and Seoul. The late Mayor Frank Fasi proposed the idea, and it was adopted by the City Council on April 17, 1973, to be effective May 20, 1973, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Korean immigration to Hawaii.
My uncle, Taek Shik Yang, was mayor of Seoul at the time and supported the sister-city proposal, which was approved by the Seoul metropolitan government on July 27, 1973.
During my 43 years in Hawaii, I have witnessed numerous cultural exchanges and shared goodwill, tourism, trade and mutual respect between the two cities. Koreans have been a part of Hawaii since 1903, when the first immigrants arrived on the SS Gaelic to work as laborers in plantation fields. Today their descendants have become part of the fabric of our community.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Breezy Love”
Episodes 12-13
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Realizing Jangsoo is the man Heera’s been seeing, Cheongja forbids her from further contact. But Heera and Jangsoo get engaged at a church despite Cheongja’s disapproval. Jango runs into a friend, Hayeon, and Mipoong is heartbroken at seeing them together.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: The trial ends, and Jango and Mipoong spend quality time together. Heera tells Cheongja she wants to marry Jangsoo. Mipoong finds Deokcheon ready to collapse on the street and helps him.
“My Sassy Girl”
Episodes 21-24
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Kyun Woo and the princess confirm their love with a kiss. Kyun Woo is reinstated as the prince’s teacher. Pil-hyung and Lady Heo’s concerns escalate, as Kyun Woo’s nightmares continue.
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Kyun Woo discovers the princess’s mother was removed from the queen’s position. He is unable to relay the news and suffers in silence. The princess senses he is hiding something from her and probes.
“Love in Trouble”
Episodes 37-40 (finale)
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-soo confesses to the charges. Both Bong-hee and Ji-wook get suspicious of the chief prosecutor. Ji-wook is confirmed as a prosecutor and tries to end his ill-fated relationship with Jung Hyun-soo once and for all. Meanwhile, Moo-young takes Hyun-soo to the site of his son’s death.
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Ji-wook professes his feelings for Bong-hee and asks to start their relationship over again. Eun-hyuk pines over Yoo-jung. Will they begin a passionate romance?
“Band of Sisters”
Episodes 25-26
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Chairman Goo meets Eun-hyang and Ha-ri. They are surprised at who he is. Deul-re finds out Chairman Goo is Gongryong Group’s chairman. Kye-hwa tells Ha-ri to leave the company so Se-joon doesn’t find out.
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Hwan-seung sees Eun-hyang standing outside in the rain and rushes out. Eun-hyang jumps into his arms. Se-kyung screams at seeing them. Dal-hee goes to see Hong-shi at the kindergarten.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
