Today, Korean-Americans are celebrating the 110th anniversary of Korean immigration to the U.S. On Jan. 13, 1903, the first Koreans arrived in Honolulu aboard the USS Gaelic to work on the plantation fields in Hawaii. In commemoration of the anniversary, following a ceremony that was held at Pawaa In-Ha Park on Saturday, there will be a gala dinner tonight at Hawaii Prince Hotel.
"Arirang," a special documentary of the history of Korean immigration, airs in two parts today on KBFD at 1:15 and 9:25 p.m.
A side note: There have been celebrity sightings in Honolulu recently as stars escape freezing temperatures in South Korea. One such celebrity is actor-singer Hyun Bin, and actor Bae Yong-joon was spotted eating at the new Doraku Sushi restaurant in the Pacifica building on Kapiolani Boulevard, as well as shopping at Ala Moana Center.
This week’s synopses
"The Great Seer"
Episodes 14 and 15
Today, 6:45 p.m.: Jung-geun is shocked by the existence of Young-ji’s birth son, and Ji-sang thinks Young-ji is the woman who killed his father. Young-ji finds out someone has broken into the secret library and reports it to Noh Young-soo. Lee Sung-gae’s men try to break Lee Sung-gae out of jail.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-geun throws Ji-sang’s ring into the pond. Ji-sang makes a futile attempt to look for the ring. Jung-geun seeks out Hae-in for comfort. The queen asks Young-ji to recommend a good place for the king and Ban-ya to consummate their relationship.
"The Lord of the Drama"
Episodes 11 and 12
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: The first episode of "Morning in Gyeongseong" finally goes on the air, and Anthony and Go-eun watch nervously in the main control room. But the ratings remain low for the first half hour of the drama, and Anthony is devastated.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-min and Min-ah never seem to agree on anything, but the two team up and ask Go-eun to change the script when they see a kissing moment in an upcoming scene. Go-eun takes a call for Anthony and goes to visit Anthony’s ailing mother. Oh Jin-wan presses charges against Anthony, and he is arrested on the spot.
"My Love, Madame Butterfly"
Episodes 17 and 18
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Woo-jae’s grandfather summons Nabi to his house. He tries to buy her off, but she refuses and Woo-jae intervenes. The whole family is surprised and yet pleased that Chan-gi stayed out all night with his girlfriend. Chan-gi does what he thinks is the honorable thing to do by asking Soo-jung to marry him. Woo-jae threatens his grandfather with telling the press that he is not his grandson, but in fact his son, before the chairman can announce the merger and Woo-jae’s wedding to Sul-ah.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Nabi and the chairman strike a deal. The chairman will continue backing her drama as long as she never sees Woo-jae again. If Nabi doesn’t keep her end of the bargain, she is to leave the entertainment business altogether. She means to keep her promise, but can’t because of another one of Sul-ah’s ploys. Sul-ah sends photos of Nabi and Woo-jae together to Byung-ho. Nabi is accused to cheating and is kicked out. She vows to clear her name.
"Cheongdam-dong Alice"
Episodes 5 and 6
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-gyeong is at a loss over what to do when Yoon-joo tells her to find a new White Rabbit. Se-gyeong comes back to see Tommy Hong for an apology, and Tommy Hong realizes what Se-gyeong is really after. Seung-jo finally catches up with Se-gyeong and offers her a job as a stylist for the chairman of Artemis.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: Ah-jeong finds Yoon-joo’s secret diary in Se-gyeong’s room, and tells Se-gyeong not to change. Seung-jo pretends to be a secretary to the Artemis chairman and tries to help Se-gyeong. But his earnest effort to help Se-gyeong lands him in a hospital emergency room.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
