South Korea’s new political crime thriller “The King” will be released in Hawaii on Jan. 27 at Consolidated Theatres Pearlridge 16.
K-drama megastars In Sung Jo (“A Frozen Flower,” “A Dirty Carnival,” “Spring Day,” “What Happened in Bali” and “Piano”) and Woo Sung Jung (“Athena: The Goddess of War,” “Asura,” “Scarlet Innocence,” “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,” “Daisy,” “Musa” and “A Moment to Remember”), who attended the Hawaii International Film Festival in 2008, are teaming up to portray the power and wealth South Korean prosecutors can wield.
This film comes at a time when Korea’s judicial system is under scrutiny. Recently, a star prosecutor-turned-lawyer-for-the-rich faced charges that he used his influence to get his clients lenient sentences while amassing tremendous wealth, and a chief judge-turned-lawyer was accused of taking exorbitant fees to lobby for her client. Both were indicted and sentenced.
“The King” focuses on Tae-soo (played by Jo), who is from a poor family and becomes a prosecutor but finds life is not what he had imagined until he meets handsome and charismatic Kang-sik (played by Jung), who wields power and wealth.
Tae-soo gets to see how the “1 percent” lives and taste its sweetness and luxury, but also finds its dark and cruel side. “The King” is directed by Jae Rim Han, who also directed “The Face Reader” and “Rules of Dating.”
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Perfect Bride”
Episodes 23 and 24
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Ki-ja warns Gab-soon to stay away from Gab-dol. Ha-soo sees Gab-soon being chided, takes her away and professes his feelings for her. Gab-soon is moved by Ha-soo’s sincerity. Geum-shik and Da-hae go together on their daughter’s kindergarten camping trip, as Jae-soon anxiously awaits Geum-shik’s return.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Geum-shik is caught off guard by Jae-soon’s icy demeanor. He goes to Jae-soon’s parents to ask for forgiveness. Gab-soon is faced with Gab-dol’s coldness and makes an important decision.
“Dr. Romantic”
Episodes 15 and 16
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-jung comes to Doldam to stop Chairman Shin’s heart surgery. But she is shocked by the seriousness of Chairman Shin’s condition. When Gi-tae becomes suspicious of their relationship, Dong-joo and Seo-jung feign a fight.
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Teacher Kim pushes ahead with Chairman Shin’s surgery. He searches for a way to shorten the surgery time. Dong-joo does his best as Teacher Kim’s assistant. Chief Do comes to Teacher Kim with two propositions.
“Legend of the Blue Sea”
Episodes 15 and 16
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Joon-jae is devastated to learn that Chung’s heart will fail. He tries to tell her about his dream. Chung invites friends over for a party on her birthday.
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Joon-jae and Yoo-ran meet again and catch up. Curious about Kang Ji-hyun, Nam-doo asks Yoo-ran about her. Chi-hyun presses Seo-hee about her birth father.
“Happy Home”
Episode 24 and 25
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon says she’d go to hell and back to have her kids again. Sam-bong says she must do so within three months.
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Sook-nyo sees Hae-ryung and Ji-gun together and asks Hae-ryung if Ji-gun is why she has been happy lately. Hae-ryung says that Ji-gun is her source of strength. Sun-hwa goes to see Mi-soon and the family. Hae-ryung finds a baby book on Hae-won’s bed.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
