There has been some debate as to the proper name for what we call the "Korean dramas" here at KBFD. Some people call the dramas "soap operas" — linking them to American daytime soaps.

Some fans take offense at this term, preferring to call the shows Korean dramas or Korean miniseries. Although the intensity of this debate is nowhere near that on the origins of spaghetti — Koreans claim ja jang myun (black-bean noodles), brought to Europe from China during Marco Polo's time, is the original — the soap-opera-vs.-Korean-drama controversy has been gaining momentum in Hawai'i. Since Hawai'i is on the U.S. forefront of Hallyu (the "Korean wave"), I believe it is important that we set a precedent in calling these programs Korean dramas, not soap operas.

When Hallyu came about, people didn't know how to refer to the Korean dramas, and there was no collective decision to call it a specific name. The programs have been called Korean soaps, Korean dramas, K-soaps, K-dramas, Korean mini-series and Korean soap opera.

Soap operas are daytime TV series shown on network television in the U.S. The "soaps" nickname came about because the primary sponsors of these programs were soap companies, such as Tide, back in the days when television was still in black and white and the audience for these shows was stay-at-home housewives.

There are similarities and differences between American soaps and Korean dramas. Interestingly, the generation in their 50s and older often refers to Korean dramas as Korean soaps, while younger demographics call them Korean dramas or miniseries.

When Japanese dramas were popular in the '80s, they were sometimes referred to as Japanese soap operas, so it's possible that the name simply moved over to the Korean shows.

American soaps and Korean dramas are similar in that they have a lot of drama and high emotion. Both appeal to women. American soaps air during the day while Korean dramas are televised in the evening when most family members are home — except that men in Korea tend to work late and, with traffic, don't get home until past 9 p.m. In American soaps, many plots revolve around a love story, a love triangle or a faithless lover, and these themes appear in Korean dramas, too.

But really, Korean dramas are a completely different genre. First, Korean dramas are culturally different and therefore the content is very different. Sure, there are love stories and some cheating going on, but the writers of the Korean dramas try to target their programming to appeal to all ages and both sexes. In any given Korean drama, there are sub-story lines that appeal to teens, young adults, parents and grandparents. This is played out with characters of multiple generations living in the same household and storylines in which the key elements are family and respect — and then romantic love.

Also, unlike American soaps, Korean drama series have a definite ending, with series ranging from 10 episodes up to 24 on average. With two episodes airing per week, that means an entire series is completed in five to 12 weeks. American soaps run for years, even generations, with characters coming and going and plots segueing into other plots.

To call Korean dramas or Korean miniseries Korean soaps simply confuses people, because they are very different. It is stereotyping programming that is really a genre of its own.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises Korean dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach Chung at jeffchung@kbfd.com.

YOON-CHUL GOES BANKRUPT ON 'THANK YOU, LIFE'

'THANK YOU, LIFE'

EPISODES 15 AND 16

Tonight at 7: Yoon-ho tells Yeon-kyong he hates himself for not being level-headed, and leaves on a business trip. Yeon-kyong decides to move to another hospital. Ki-ho tells Yeon-kyong why In-seok had to leave her years ago. In-seok and Yeon-kyong go through another heartbreaking farewell.

Tonight at 8: Yoon-chul goes bankrupt, and creditors swarm Yeon-kyong's house. Kyong-sook takes Yeon-kyong to her house. In-seok is having a hard time trying to get over Yeon-kyong. Yoon-ho comes running home when he hears the news.

'WHAT'S YOUR STAR'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Seung-hee and Bok-shil fly down to Jeju. The two have fun touring the island. Bok-shil is surprised to find Soon-ho at home when she returns to Seoul. Seung-hee tells Jung-hoon he's ready to give up on his movie career for Bok-shil.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Seung-hee visits Jin-hee at the hospital and finds out Bok-shil was kicked out of the house. Soon-ok begs Seung-hee not to see Bok-shil. Jin-hee mistakes Bok-shil for Hye-soo, and Bok-shil promise never to see Seung-hee again.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 19 AND 20

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Mi-ja is overcome with regrets after director Kim's death, and pours her heart out to Hong-jo when he visits her. Hae-joo and Hae-young are anxious about Kim's last movie, which seems to be a flop.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Tae-joon decides to give up on the bar exam and get a job. Tae-soo is devastated when Jung-ja tells him she is pregnant with their second child, and suggests an abortion. Hong-jo tells Mi-ja and Tae-joon to call each other, but neither of them makes a move.

'ALONE IN LOVE'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: A rumor of Eun-ho and Hyun-joong abounds at the gym. Eun-ho is put in a spot, and begs Hyun-joong not to come to the gym anymore. Mi-yon offers to take revenge on Dong-jin for Eun-ho. Hyun-joong finally tells Eun-ho how they first met.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Dong-jin, Eun-ho, Mi-yon, Hyun-joong, Ji-ho and Dr. Gong go out for drinks after Yuri's wrestling match, and everyone gets drunk. Dong-jin takes Mi-yon home, and Hyun-joong takes Eun-ho home. Dong-jin is surprised to find Mi-yon's daughter at home.