Today's the day to celebrate mothers, so let's take a look at Korean-drama moms — and the dreaded moms-in-law — who span the spectrum of personalities.

I've heard many fans comment on why Korean mothers-in-law are mean and evil, especially to their daughters-in-law.

I suppose K-drama fans wonder how a Korean woman is portrayed as sweet and innocent — until she becomes a mother-in-law.

And why is it that only the affluent mothers are protective of their sons, deathly afraid that they will get a daughter-in-law who will ruin the whole family?

But after all, it is drama.

Mothers are the educators in the household who forever will tell you what is right from wrong. When it comes down to it, mothers know more about you than your father. More accurately, Korean mothers' philosophy regarding children can be summed up in one word: sacrifice.

I was touched when I heard the story of Kim Young Hee, the mother of Pittsburgh Steelers football star Hines Ward Jr., MVP of last year's Super Bowl.

Kim Young Hee moved to Georgia with her husband and son. Soon after she found herself raising Ward on her own. Far from fluent in English, Kim didn't have an easy time getting a job. But she held down three of them to raise Ward. Kim refused to collect welfare or unemployment — she felt it may hurt Ward's self-esteem. As a multiracial Korean, he was already facing societal pressure.

Kim doesn't regret moving to America. She felt that there were more opportunities for multiracial Koreans in the U.S. In fact, she would go so far as to say that if she had stayed in South Korea, Ward would have become no more than a beggar and she questions whether anyone in South Korea would have hired her even as a house cleaner.

To all the mothers who have sacrificed so much, persevered through hardships and life's challenges: Happy Mother's Day!

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

YEON-KYONG LEAVES HOSPITAL TO RECOVER AT HOME

'THANK YOU, LIFE'

EPISODES 7 AND 8

Tonight at 7: Yeon-kyong is taken to ICU after her surgery. Yoon-ho wells up when he sees Yeon-kyong unconscious. In-seok visits Yeon-kyong's room in the middle of the night.

Tonight at 8: Yeon-kyong returns home, and relishes the little things in life. In-seok compensates for his feelings of loss by being overly cheerful. Yeon-kyong feels a sharp pain in her stomach when she overworks.

'WHAT'S YOUR STAR'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Bok-shil leaves for Seoul with Jin-hee. She gives her mother her phone and promises to call every day. Seung-hee is surprised when Soon-ok answers Bok-shil's phone. Bok-shil is shocked when she sees the mansion she'll be living in.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Seung-hee chastises Bok-shil when she tells him she wants to quit her job. Bok-shil tells her family she wants to continue to work. Seung-hee buys a car and offers to give Bok-shil a ride home.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Mi-ja returns to her hometown to bring her father back to Seoul. Eun-hwan asks Tae-soo to stay on as a full-time employee. Tae-soo finally writes home. Sun-hee and Mother visit Tae-soo at the orchard.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Mi-ja proposes to director Kim, telling him she wants to be freed from Tae-joon. Hae-young tries to stop Mi-ja and director Kim. Eun-hwan starts to open up to Tae-soo. Tae-joon runs over to Mi-ja's movie set when he learns Mi-ja is getting married.

'THE PALACE'

EPISODES 19 AND 20

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Chaekyong and Shin come back upset and confused about the incident at Yool's birthday party. Rumors of Chae-kyong's parents taking advantage of their daughter spreads. Shin permits Chaekyong to spend a night at her parents', but the empress scolds her.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-kyong's scandal spreads like wildfire. Upset about Chaekyong's behavior, Shin orders renovation on Myungsun-dang, distancing himself even further from his father and Empress Hae-jung. To put rumors to rest, Chae-kyong and Shin decide to do a live interview.