By Jeff Chung
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On Jan. 13, 1903, the first Koreans arrived in Hawai'i to work on the plantation fields as laborers. From here, they moved on to Mexico and the Mainland for other opportunities.
Koreans have been in Hawai'i for 102 years and have become an integral part of the community — so much so, in fact, that our tie with Korea is unique.
For example, did you know:
What's the fascination of the United States as viewed by South Koreans, and how do Korean-Americans play a role in Korean dramas?
Has it hit you yet that whenever something goes wrong in a Korean drama character's life, the character decides to leave to study in the United States? It's almost as common as a K-drama character getting leukemia, cancer or some other terminal disease.
Hee-jin, in "My Lovely Sam-soon," runs away to America for cancer treatment and to study for three years.
There have been many dramas in the past where problem children were always sent to the United States to study. This makes us wonder if South Korean people think America is some kind of rehab country for children, or perhaps a country for lost souls where drama characters try to find themselves.
Remember that education in the United States gives a job-seeker an edge in South Korea.
To put it simply, a degree from an Ivy League university was considered more valuable than a degree from the top university in South Korea, Seoul National University.
English fluency was always an edge, since a large part of South Korea's economy was dependent on exports.
One thing is clear: The drama characters who did study in the U.S. always returned to Korea as successful people. Also, the problem child who was sent off to America to study always returned as a model citizen.
The United States is such a great country: We straighten out bad kids, cure illnesses that were terminal, and education almost guarantees success. Well, at least in Korean dramas we do.
Expect more English-language dialogues: "My Lovely Sam-soon" started a trend, with Hee-jin and Henry always conversing in English. We see a lot of Korean subtitles for a change. (Henry is a big star in South Korea. He has a modeling background. Half British and half Korean, he came to South Korea looking for his mother. Hundreds of wannabes showed up for blood tests, but no one's DNA matched his.)
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises all of the K-dramas. K-drama question or comment? Call KBFD, 521-8066.
MINISERIES ENDS ON SAD NOTE FOR ONE MAN
'MR. HONG'S AUTUMN DAYS'
EPISODE 3
6:50 tonight: In the last of this three-part miniseries, how will Mr. Hong deal with the financial crisis after his friend borrows and loses his nest egg? He finds that without money and a job, his whole family has turned on him and he is treated with very little respect. A middle-aged man in Korea is faced with losing his job, a common problem in modern-day South Korea.
'DRAMA CITY'
EPISODE 1
7:50 tonight: No synopsis is available for this single-episode drama. (Watch for a new series, "A Farewell to Tears," which begins Sept. 11.)
'FASHION '70S'
EPISODES 17 AND 18
Monday at 7:50 p.m.: Yang-ja goes to Joon-hee's house to catch a glimpse of her. Joon-hee begs Yang-ja to stay. Yang-ja decides to stay in Seoul after seeing Joon-hee. Yang-geun runs into Yon-kyung and falls for her. Duh-mi is not thrown out of the school, thanks to Joon-hee finishing her assignment for her.
Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Duh-mi's disappointed that Gen. Kim doesn't like her. Mr. Ko asks his assistant to find Yang-ja to learn if she took the real Joon-hee home with her from the orphanage. Yang-ja comes to Ensemble looking for Joon-hee but finds Duh-mi and Joon-hee sweeping the ground.
'MY LOVELY SAM-SOON'
EPISODES 13 AND 14
Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Sam-soon is surprised and moved to find Jin-hun at the top of Mount Halla. Jin-hun even brought her seaweed soup for her birthday. The two get into yet another argument about Sam-soon legally changing her name. Hee-jin is worried when she can't get in touch with Jin-hun.
Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Hee-jin is devastated by the breakup. Sam-soon and Jin-hun spend a day doing all the things Sam-soon wanted to do when she finds a boyfriend. For the final item on her list, Jin-hun goes to meet Sam-soon's family, but Sam-soon's mother isn't pleased with him at all.
'LAWYERS'
EPISODES 3 AND 4
Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Ha-young is tapped to be personal secretary to Yoon Suk-ki (Alex Yoon). Jung-ho keeps working with his own contacts against the law firm's interest on the Jung Woo-suk slush-fund case. While Jung-ho and Joo-hee are in a hotel room alone and working, Suk-ki calls Jung-ho's wife, Hae-soo.
Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: The senior partner, Koh Young-joon, makes a proposition to Ha-young, saying that she should date Alex and also inform him about Alex's activities. Ha-young and Alex become involved. In the meantime, Joo-hee remembers Tommy's distinctive ring and this leads her, Jung-ho and Yi-ryong to find out that Tommy works for Alex.
