A single actor playing the role of two characters in the same Korean dramas is nothing new, but it has been a formula for success in recent years.
In 2015, actress Soo Ae played two roles in the K-drama “Mask,” one of a department-store clerk and another as the rich daughter.
This year alone marks three dramas where one actor is cast in a dual role: “Switch,” where Jang Geun Suk played a detective and a con artist; “Your Honor,” where Yoon Shi-yoon played a gangster and a top judge; and currently “Ms. Ma, the Nemesis” — Yunjin Kim plays the title character, a mother falsely accused of murdering her daughter, and Ms. Ma, a successful author. Ma Ji-won escapes prison after many years of planning and attempts to reveal the truth behind her daughter’s death, meanwhile solving many criminal cases.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Ms. Ma, Nemesis”
Episodes 9-10
6:45 p.m. Sunday
Ms. Ma is thrown into confusion by a clue from attorney Choi Man Sik. A woman who claims to be Jung Hee’s stylist meets with Ms. Ma. Jung Hee collapses after drinking poisonous coffee during her movie shoot.
Episodes 11-12
7:45 p.m. Sunday
Ms. Ma confronts Jung Hee, desperately asking for more details of Min Seo’s death. Jung Hee’s response only adds to the confusion.
“Where Stars Land”
Episodes 9-10
7:45 p.m. Monday
The plane Yeo Reum’s mother is in makes an emergency landing because of an engine fire. Soo Yeon secretly goes to help Yeo Reum’s mother after the incident. Soo Yeon can’t help but be drawn closer and closer to Yeo Reum.
Episodes 11-12
7:45 p.m. Tuesday
Soo Yeon confesses his feelings for Yeo Reum, who is caught off guard. In Woo continues to be curious about Soo Yeon’s bracelet. Yeo Reum discovers Soo Yeon has a disability.
“Heart Surgeons”
Episodes 9-10
7:45 p.m. Wednesday
Seok Han faces a dilemma about a surgery after the patient claims to know the truth about his daughter’s death. Will he uphold his oath as a doctor to save the patient or use this opportunity to take revenge?
Episodes 11-12
7:45 p.m. Thursday
Tae Soo rushes to the hospital upon hearing about a possible donor for his mother after a car accident victim arrives at the hospital. The chief and his brother feud over power at Taesan Hospital.
“Rich Son”
Episodes 93-94
7:45 p.m. Friday
Gwang Jae gets Gami back on all his own. Yong is enraged when he finds out Soo Hee has feelings for Tae Il. Won Yong’s pushiness about marriage makes Kyung Ha confrontational. Won Yong collapses while out with Gwang Jae.
Episodes 95-96
7:45 p.m. Saturday
Gwang Jae is shocked at seeing Won Yong collapse, as it reminds him of his father. The whole family is thrown into chaos. Tae Il is to live with a new last name as Bum Joon’s son. Kyung Ha is tormented, thinking she caused her father’s fall.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
