The Korea Broadcast System, South Korea's largest public broadcaster, turns 80 this year. At 1 p.m. on Feb. 16, 1927, a radio station with the call sign JODK made its first broadcast in Kyung Sung (Seoul). It was the fourth broadcast service in Korea, following the Tokyo AK, Osaka BK, and Nagoya CK. Under the control of Japan at the time, Korea's initial broadcasts were in Japanese. In 1947, after liberation from Japan, the station was issued the call sign HL. In 1961, HL began television broadcasting and in 1973 it was renamed the Korea Broadcast System. KBS today operates two terrestrial stations, one satellite TV channel, seven radio channels, and a nationwide network with overseas bureaus.

There is some debate on the station's official launch date. One argument is that JODK was under the control of Japan, broadcast in Japanese and therefore not really independent. Others feel 1947, when JODK was renamed HL, is the true start of KBS history as an independent station that spoke on behalf of Korean citizens.

KBS has announced plans for special programming in 2007. On the slate: "King Sejong," an epic historical drama; "Asian Corridor to Heaven," a window-on-Asia show; "The Flying House," a $4 million children's project; and co-productions with the world's leading public broadcasters. Many documentaries and health programs are planned as well. Lastly, KBS plans to build a new modern high-definition studio facility and broadcast the news in HD. In 2005, KBS promised to produce, within 10 years, 100 episodes of Korean cultural programs, all in HD.

KBS will also broadcast movies as part of its celebration this year. Today the station is airing "Suhpyunjae and Shiri" (starring Kim Yun Jin) nationally.

KBS America can be seen in Hawai'i on Oceanic Cable digital channel 80. Special 80thanniversary programming will be seen on KBS America in the months to come.

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

Episodes 63 and 64

Tonight at 7: Michill's unusually hearty appetite prompts Myong-ja to suspect she might be pregnant. Seon-tak takes Mira and Sora to meet their mother.

Tonight at 8: Il-han meets with Yang-pal and mentions divorce. In the meantime, Michill tells Seolchill she's decided to divorce Il-han. Hanam finds out Seolchill had volunteered to be deployed to Iraq.

'SURGEON BONG'

Episodes 3 and 4

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Kun-wook and Joong-geun fight over a patient with "flesh-eating bacteria," but Kun-wook is proven right. Dr. Lee Hyun-tak and Kun-wook are publicly humiliated. Dal-hee overhears Kun-wook's and Moon-kyong's conversation.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Dal-hee saves a patient's life with quick thinking, but Joong-geun isn't impressed. Moon-kyong is devastated when her son, Seung-min, is brought into the ER. Seung-min is diagnosed with an enlarged heart.

'QUEEN OF THE GAME'

Episodes 13 and 14

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Five years have passed, and no one knows what has happened to Sin-jeon. Eun-seol is working for Pil-seo as a supervisor of construction. A man wanders onto a construction site — and Eun-seol is shocked when she realizes who it is.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Sin-jeon is inextricably attracted to Eun-seol and her son, Summer. Ju-won and Sin-jeon's mother try to persuade Sin-jeon that he and Ju-won were engaged, but he feels that something is not right.

SNOW FLOWER

Episodes 9 and 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Dami finds Kang-ae with Dong-woo, and confronts him about his exgirlfriend in New York. She goes on to question him about Kang-ae. Kang-ae tries to defend Dong-woo and Dami.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Kang-ae receives photos of Dami and In-chan together, and goes to confront In-chan. Kang-ae also tells In-chan not to drag Dami into his personal life.