One of Korea’s hottest programs, "K-Pop Star," begins airing today, at 5:30 p.m. "K-Pop Star" is a reality show in which singers are eliminated weekly. The three judges are BoA, representing SM Entertainment (Girls Generation and Super Junior), JY Park from JYP (Wonder Girls and Rain) and Yang Hyun Suk from YG Entertainment (2NE1). Talented youths in Korea contend for the first-place prize of 300 million won (about $266,000) and a chance to record their own album. Many performers sing American hits. An audition episode on YouTube has already gotten more than 100,000 views.
This week’s synopses
"If Tomorrow Comes"
Episodes 21 and 22
Today, 6:45p.m.: Bo-bae and Il-bong find Un-chae passed out with bottles lying around her. They take her home with them. Bo-bae tells her that she will live with them until her mother gets out. Jung-in’s appeal goes well and she’s let out on probation. She goes home to find Soon-jung hanging laundry and Won-seob playing Superman with Han. Won-seob becomes angry when Jung-in kicks out the mother and son and he leaves with them.
Today, 7:45p.m.: Un-chae sneaks out in the middle of the night, but Young-gyun runs after her. They make up and he convinces her to stay. Won-seob tells Jung-in that he wants a divorce. Her world falls apart and things keep getting worse. When Jung-in goes to Young-gyun’s home to get Un-chae, she decides it’s best for Un-chae to stay where she is. But Sung-ryong sees Jung-in, and Un-chae finally is reunited with her mother. Un-chae thinks everything will be better now that her mother is out of prison, but it isn’t so.
"History of the Salaryman"
Episodes 11 and 12
Monday, 7:45p.m.: Hang-woo fails to come to an agreement with the factory union workers. Chairman Jin is enraged and decides to use force to resolve the issue himself, but he just makes matters worse. Hang-woo is promoted to vice president, and he promotes Woo-hee to be his executive assistant.
Tuesday, 7:45p.m.: Yoo Bang asks Paeng Weol to invest in his factory to develop the new drug, but he turns Yoo Bang down when he finds out the drug is still imperfect. Chairman Jin says he’ll invest in Yoo Bang’s company if he perfects the formula. Yeo-chi tries to obey her grandfather’s wishes when she finds out he’s sick.
"Live in Style"
Episodes 41 and 42
Wednesday, 7:45p.m.: Shin-hyung decides to pack his things and move out of his mother’s house. He tells Ara she must follow him or he’ll break up with her. Yeon-deok tells Shin-hyung he’ll never set foot in her house again if he leaves. Ara is torn between the mother and son.
Thursday, 7:45p.m.: Yeon-deok, Gu-hyung, Shin-hyung and So-hyung have a cozy family dinner together for a change. Gu-hyung resigns from his position and suggests Yeon-deok run the store. Yeon-deok is overjoyed when she’s met with a warm welcome from her employees.
"Take Care of Us, Captain"
Episodes13 and 14
Friday, 7:45p.m.: Da-jin is uncertain of Yoon-sung’s feelings for her. Ji-won is shunned by other flight attendants when they find out about her past. Mi-joo is upset when she sees Yoon-sung comforting Ji-won.
Saturday, 7:45p.m.: Yoon-sung and Da-jin declare their love for each other. Dong-soo is shocked when he learns the details of the accident seven years ago. Mi-joo blackmails Ji-won, and Ji-won begs Da-jin to let Yoon-sung go. Hong In-tae decides to look into the accident.
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Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
