North Korean singer becomes Olympic-size media sensation

The North Korean Olympic delegation led by Hyon Song-wol has rocketed to celebrity status with her visit to Seoul last week to inspect venues. Hyon is one of the highest-ranking females in North Korea and is responsible for the Samjiyeon Orchestra and the Morangbong Band, that country’s version of a K-pop group.

South Korean media went into a frenzy at every photo opportunity with Hyon and analyzed details of her fashion, hair, makeup, handbag and rare smiles.

She was born in 1983 and was rumored to have been Kim Jong Un’s girlfriend and later executed by a firing squad. Clearly she’s alive and in an influential position today.

We will be seeing more of Hyon as the 2018 Winter Olympics, running Feb. 9-25 in Pyeongchang, nears. Her Samjiyeon Orchestra and Moranbong Band will make several public appearances during the event. As the new face of “NK-pop,” Hyon has strategically taken attention away from the isolated nation’s missile tests and other ongoing political rhetoric.

THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES

“Rebel”

Episodes 13-14

>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Prince Chungwon is summoned to the royal court. He calls on a witness to prove his innocence, but that very witness is Gildong. Meanwhile, Gilhyun searches Prince Chungwon’s residence. Amogae takes Gildong to Geum-ok’s gravesite.

>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Heo Taehak’s men attack Gildong, making him furious. Noksu asks the King to see someone.

“Oh, The Mysterious”

Episodes 25-26

>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: The team tries to connect the dots, and pit Lee Kwang-ho and Pil-seung against each other. Lee Kwang-ho’s son is up to no good again, and as before, Soo-ran must clean up his mess. The secret to Soo-ran’s dedication concerning Kwang-ho’s son is revealed.

Episodes 27-28

>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Jong-sam and Jin-young approach Pil-seung to get evidence on the Odong Blowfish house murder. Knowing their intentions, Pil-seung taunts them with rhetorical questions. Lee Kwang-ho and Soo-ran have conflicting views of how to handle Young-min’s murder case.

“Return” (Premiere)

Episodes 1-2

>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Go Hyun-jung from “Queen Seonduk” makes a comeback as an unyielding attorney in this legal drama. From a poor family with no background, she makes it as a judge against all odds. She also hosts a TV show called “Return,” making her a huge success. A friend comes to her to take on a murder case that gets more mysterious as she digs deeper.

Episodes 3-4

>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Kang In-ho vehemently denies committing murder. Na-ra seeks Ja-hye’s counsel in defending her husband. Evil-doing by four “princes” who’ve led lives without restraint is bound to surface as Yum Mi-jung’s murder case is investigated.

“Bravo My Life”

Episodes 41-42

>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Do-na’s drama starts filming. RaRa gives it her all, to a point where all those on set get tired of shooting. Do-na can’t understand her change in demeanor. Dong-woo pleads wholeheartedly with RaRa to stay by her side.

Episodes 43-44

>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Hwa-im tries to kill herself, leaving Dong-woo with no option but to do as she wishes. Dong-woo decides to marry Ha-kyung. RaRa advises against it. Seo-hyun won’t leave Bum-woo alone, upsetting Do-na. Do-na and Bum-woo end up fighting over this.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.