North Korean defector Yeonmi Park’s book “In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl’s Journey to Freedom” (Penguin Press, $27.95) is now available in bookstores and at amazon.com. I wrote about Yeonmi for the 10th anniversary of this column. She gave a free talk on North Korea, human rights and her life before she defected from the country. Her problems escalated when she made it into China and met a man who, unbeknownst to her and her mother, was a human trafficker.
She and her mom managed to cross the desert on foot into Mongolia before eventually entering South Korea. Many North Korean defectors are unable to adjust to a life of capitalism in South Korea and a return to the North. There are 27,000 North Korean defectors and many are still in China hoping to get to Europe, South Korea or neighboring countries in hopes of freedom.
They live every day in fear, they have lost families, and many lose hope. Yeonmi’s book sheds light on many things we take for granted. She hopes to return to Hawaii next spring.
This week’s synopses
“The Legendary Witches”
Episodes 1 and 2
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Sooyin (Han Ji-hye) loses her husband Dohyon (Go Joo-won) in a helicopter crash. Mio (Ha Yeon-soo) goes to Dohyon’s funeral and causes a scene, saying she’s pregnant with Do-jin’s (Do Sang-woo) baby. Boknyo (Go Doo-shim) gets a furlough from prison after 30 years, but passes out after drinking juice given to her by Poonggeum (Oh Hyun-kyung).
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Woo-seok (Ha Seok-jin) has lost his childhood memories. He goes to see his orphanage director in a care home to investigate his past. Sooyin also goes to the care home when she hears that the lady she’s been taking care of is in critical condition. Woo-seok and Sooyin have their second encounter at the care home.
“Mrs. Cop”
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-jin tells Chief Yeom that it was Chairman Kang who killed her father, not Park Dong-il. Jin-woo accepts Do-young as his partner. Kang Jae-won escapes from prison.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-jin arrests Chairman Kang for helping his son escape from prison, but lets him go to catch him in something bigger. Do-young is attacked by a mystery group of men. Young-jin and her team start investigating the people around Chairman Kang.
“The Gang Doctor”
Episodes 13 and 14
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Do-joon is arrested at Yeo-jin’s funeral. Yeon-jin starts her revenge as soon as she returns home. Tae-hyun also moves into Yeo-jin’s house, but has a hard time getting used to his new status as Yeo-jin’s husband.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Yeon-jin becomes even more vicious to protect herself and her throne. Dr. Lee tells Tae-hyun the reason no one came to operate on his mother was because that was the day Yeo-jin was admitted with her boyfriend.
“Identical Affairs”
Episodes 9 and 10
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Jin-eon is on his knees tearfully begging his father to make Hae-kang disappear from his life. Hae-kang finally signs the divorce paper and leaves. Bae-seok is shocked when he finds out Seol-ri is involved with a married man.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Four years later, Hae-kang has lost her memory and is living as Yong-gi. She works with Baek-seok at his law firm. Jin-eon comes back from the States. Baek Ji pickpockets Jin-eon’s wallet under pressure from her friends.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
