South Korean dramas have seen success in a new genre: legal thrillers. The popular series “Innocent Defendant,” starring Ji Sung, which airs at 7:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, is ending April 17 after 18 episodes, and a similar drama is taking its time slot. In “Innocent Defendant,” Sung plays Jung Woo Park, a prosecutor who ends up on death row for the murder of his wife and daughter. Suffering from temporary amnesia, he struggles to find the truth and clear his name.
A new legal thriller, “Whisper,” starts at 7:45 p.m. April 18 and will air on Mondays and Tuesdays. The show stars Bo Young Lee (real-life wife to Sung) as Young-joo Shin, a successful detective who partners with Dong-joon Lee, an elite judge, to uncover one of the largest scandals within Taebak, the largest law firm. Detective Lee and Judge Lee are both stern but have a softness for those who are weak. “Whisper” aired its first of 16 episodes in Korea on March 27 with high viewer ratings.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Perfect Bride”
Episodes 43 and 44
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Nae-shim is furious to find out that Se-gye was kicked out of the house. She gives him an ultimatum: Go back to being a doctor or sever their ties. Tired of Gab-dol and Gab-soon’s arguments, Ki-ja calls Gab-soon over for a talk.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Gab-dol and Gab-soon finally get married. They are at the peak of their happiness. Jae-soon, after much deliberation, considers remarrying Jeon.
“Innocent Defendant”
Episodes 16 and 17
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-woo is pained by his memories with Sung-kyu. He is found innocent in the murder case. Two months later he goes to Min-ho’s inauguration ceremony for the chairman’s position.
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: The criminal investigation team searches the villa that Min-ho and Jennifer Lee stayed at and finds traces of blood. Jung-woo gives Suk an option to either prosecute Min-ho or be his scapegoat. Min-ho visits Suk at the prosecutors’ office.
“Saimdang, Memoir of Colors”
Episodes 17 and 18
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: As the Goryeo paper competition approaches, Saimdang concentrates on deciphering the poem that has the secret to making Goryeo paper. King Joong-jong presses that the one who produces Goryeo paper is the loyal subject. Feeling insecure, Min Chi-hyung orders Saimdang’s warehouse to be set on fire.
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: A Ming envoy suggests a competition between two manufacturers in which they paint on their own paper. A competition heats up between Saimdang and Whieumdang as they vie for the best-paper title. Yi Gyum informs the king of Min Chi-hyung’s crimes, and he is punished.
“Happy Home”
Episode 46 and 47
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon sees Chul-soo meeting with Chinese people. She asks Chul-soo to interpret every word. She finds out Chul-soo is renowned in China. Ji-gun oversees Hyun-ki’s surgery and prays to save him.
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Sam-bong begs Sook-nyo to stay but she leaves. Hyun-ki has a heart attack during surgery.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
