Pop star-actor Rain released a new action movie, "R2B: Return to Base," in Korea on Aug. 15 and it just opened Friday at the Consolidated Pearlridge multiplex, making for one of the quickest releases in Hawaii for a major Korean film.
Rain plays Tae-hun, a South Korean Elite Black Eagles Air Force pilot who finds himself transferred to a combat flying unit after a cocky, unplanned and dangerous air show demonstration. On the first day of his transfer, he meets Cheol-hui, the unit’s own top gun. Tae-hun is free-spirited, whereas Cheol-hui plays by the rules, and the two come into conflict almost immediately.
One day, a reconnaissance mission with a North Korean MIG fighter turns into an unexpected incident that ends with one unit member’s death and another’s disappearance. Tae-hun and Cheol-hui reconcile their differences and make preparations with the rest of the unit to stop a potential war and rescue their missing comrade.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Tasty Life"
Episodes 13 and 14
Today, 6:45 p.m.: Joo-hyun calls Sung-joo when Jae-bok is badly hurt. The whole family gathers at the hospital and later Jae-bok and Joo-hyun end up going back home. Jae-hyuk asks his parents to meet Sung-joo’s father and to everyone’s surprise his mother agrees. When Jae-hyuk tells Sung-joo the good news, she tells him that she will not go to the meeting and to call it off. But Shin-jo threatens to tell the whole hospital about their affair if she doesn’t show up.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Shin-yong sees In-chul and Sung-joo out in the hallway of the restaurant and figures out who the other woman is. During lunch, Jae-hyuk’s mother tells Shin-jo exactly what she thinks, and to drive the point home, when Yong-woo shows up, she introduces her as Jae-hyuk’s future bride. Shin-yong needs to know the truth about In-chul’s mistress, so she goes to the hospital to confront Sung-joo. While confronting her, Jae-hyuk walks in and drags Shin-yong out.
"The Chaser"
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: A day before the presidential election, Hae-ra decides to put her fate in Dong-yoon’s hands and stop the press conference. Hong-suk goes to the Prosecutors’ Office with Yong-sik to hold a press conference, unaware that Hae-ra stopped Detective Cho and Chief Hwang from attending the press conference.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Chairman Seo asks Dong-yoon if he still covets his position. When Dong-yoon says he does, Chairman Seo tells him he doesn’t deserve the position. Ji-won decides to help Hong-suk and lures Dong-yoon’s father out of his barbershop to install video cameras without his knowledge.
"Phantom"
Episodes 13 and 14
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Gi-young asks Hyun-min for the USB flash drive, but Hyun-min still thinks it’s strange that Woo-hyun doesn’t remember him. Gang-mi insists that they should tell their boss everything and start the investigation, but Hyuk-joo says they can’t even trust their own boss.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyuk-joo, Gi-young and Gang-mi run to the evidence analysis room but find Eung-jin gone. Gi-young checks the computer only to find it’s been wiped clean of files.
"A Gentleman’s Dignity"
Episodes 17 and 18
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Do-jin decides to get back together with Yi-soo by planning an elaborate reunion and sending her an anonymous invitation to his company party. But Yi-soo misreads Do-jin’s intentions and dejectedly leaves on a "farewell" trip by herself.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Yoon stops Me-ah-ri from leaving and takes her home. Tae-san is devastated to see them together, and tells them he’s lost both a friend and a sister. A string of events and coincidences lead Min-sook to believe that Jung-rok is cheating on her again. But when she’s proved wrong, she’s even more disappointed with herself for being unable to trust her husband.
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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.
