The ethnic television landscape is changing right before our eyes.

Many of us grew up with KIKU and its Japanese programming, and KBFD has been airing Korean shows for 20 years. But these days the hundreds of channels on digital cable include networks dedicated to Asian and Asian-American programming.

The cable network AZN, originally called the International Channel, broadcasts programming from all over Asia, including Hong Kong action films, Bollywood spectacles, Filipino news and Japanese anime.

The new iaTV, or ImaginAsian TV, is another cable channel with pan-Asian programming. It bills itself as the "First 24-Hour Asian-American Network."

Locally based Japanese-language network NGN's multiple channels include one that airs only movies.

So where do Korean dramas fit in? AZN and iaTV both feature K-dramas, but the series — such as "Winter Sonata" and "Glass Slippers" — are a few years old and already have been shown on KBFD.

With this huge influx of Asian programming you have to wonder — what is next?

NEW ON DVD

The most recent K-drama DVD release is the modern-day Cinderella story "Lovers in Paris," aka "Romance in Paris."

In 2004, it was a smash hit in South Korea. Han Gi-ju, played by Park Shin-yang, is the chairman of GD Motors, divorced, and working in Paris. He hires impoverished student Gang Tae-yeong, played by Kim Jeong-eun, as a housekeeper. The two fall in love, return to South Korea and find that their socioeconomic differences make social pressures flare. Add Gi-Ju's nephew, who falls in love with Tae-yeong, and you have a recipe for drama.

"Lovers in Paris" even made it into the latest Central Pacific Bank TV ad. A tall, virile man blubbers in front of a portable DVD player — on the screen is "Lovers in Paris."

In addition to a portable DVD player, CPB also offers a "Lovers in Paris" DVD set as an option to clients who open an Exceptional Account. When one of Hawai'i's top financial institutions uses a K-drama in a promotion, you know that Hallyu has gone mainstream.

"In taking a closer look at the K-drama phenomenon from a marketing perspective, we were amazed at how broad-based the audience is, spanning across all ages and ethnic groups," explains Wayne Kirihara, head of marketing at CPB. "This is a testament not only to the quality programming but also the local attraction to themes around family and cultural values."

KBFD has been selling K-drama DVD sets for several years, but now they've hit the big time. About six months ago, major American retail chains — including Wal-Mart — started carrying K-dramas.

RESULTS ARE FRIGHTENING WHEN IL-HO COMES OUT OF SURGERY

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 53 AND 54

Tonight at 7:50: Sung-min pleads with Hae-sun to stop Il-ho Foods from going bankrupt. Il-ho collapses from stress. Yeo-jin asks Hae-sun to take over Il-ho Foods. Jung-woo and Seo-young get engaged with everyone's blessing.

Tonight at 8: Seo-young takes Jung-woo to Hae-sun's after the engagement party. Jung-woo finally calls Hae-sun "Mom." Il-ho comes out of surgery — with frightening results. Kang-jae tells Sung-kyu he wants to marry Sung-min.

'MY GIRL'

EPISODES 7 AND 8

Monday at 7:50 p.m.: Chairman Seol calls Sae-hyun to the house and tells her to keep her relationship with Gong-chan low-profile. Sae-hyun sees the snowball in Gong-chan's room and thinks he bought it for her.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Yoo-rin tells Gong-chan she's leaving soon, but her plans fail when Mr. Jang and Gong-chan's aunt decide to marry.

'KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-seok finds out Min-gu is alive. Eun-seok goes down to the country with Min-gu. Joon-sung doesn't give up on Eun-sung and pursues a movie project for her.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Min-gu hurts Eun-seok. Bok-gu tells Eun-seok to leave, but she swears she'll spend her life taking care of Min-gu. Bok-gu also tries to suppress his feelings for Eun-seok. Da-jung is heartbroken.

'THE PALACE'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-kyong is surprised when she sees Yool in the palace, and finds out he's Prince Eui-sung. She's having a hard time adjusting to the palace life. Hwa-young opens a yoga studio but secretly plots to put Yool on the throne.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-kyong scores points with the emperor and the empress with Yool's help. Hwa-young learns Hyo-rin was Shin's girlfriend and approaches her. A party is thrown in honor of Shin and Chae-kyong's marriage.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, the first channel to air K-dramas locally. If you have a question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach him at jeffchung@kbfd.com.