When Korean dramas started gaining popularity here, original soundtracks on CD were quite popular. Then came K-drama DVD sets with English subtitles that were originally sold at KBFD, then at local retailers such as Longs, Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble and Costco.
If you haven’t seen many new titles on the shelves, it is because Korean drama DVD sets are no longer being produced as often due largely to online piracy. Illegal websites provide subtitled dramas within days of broadcast in South Korea. In addition, low-quality, pirated DVD and CDs can be found for one-tenth the price of a legitimate DVD set.
If you do have a famous Korean drama DVD set, you are likely holding onto a collector’s item, so take good care of it.
This week’s synopses
"Wonderful Mama"
Episodes 15 and 16
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Bok-hee narrowly misses Beom-suh when she goes to see his college friend. Un-ok finds Bok-hee in President Lee’s office, and the two get into a heated argument. Young-chae decides to leave the company so as not to be in Hoon-nam’s way. Da-jung confronts Nan-hee and gives her an ultimatum.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Beom-suh and Un-ok finally meet but end up arguing. Dong-soo finds out where Beom-suh is living. Nan-hee frames Da-jung and lands her in trouble with her husband and mother-in-law. Young-chae decides to go back to work, but Hoon-nam refuses to take her back.
"Jang Ok Jung, Living by Love"
Episodes 23 and 24 (final episodes)
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Ok-jung goes to see a shaman with her mother when Yoon gets smallpox. Sookwon Choi and court officials seek an audience with the king to make complaints about Ok-jung.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ok-jung is found guilty of hiring a shaman to put a curse on the queen. The king sends a royal command to Ok-jung. Chi-soo asks the king for Ok-jung. The king tells Chi-soo to run away with Ok-jung to save her life.
"I Can Hear Your Voice"
Episodes 3 and 4
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hye-sung puts her faith in Soo-ha and pleads innocent for Sung-bin. Soo-ha helps Hye-sung in court by using his power. Hye-sung is puzzled by Soo-ha’s intentions when Soo-ha walks her home and protects her from thugs.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Soo-ha learns Min Joon-gook’s been released from jail and knows he’ll come after Hye-sung. Soo-ha alerts the police but they ignore him. Soo-ha decides to find Min Joon-gook himself. Hye-sung and Gwan-woo are assigned to twins accused of murder.
"Secret of the Birth"
Episodes 17 and 18 (final episodes)
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Choi Gook takes a copy of the will to Ki-tae and tells him he’ll right what’s been wrong. Ki-tae thinks Yi-hyun is behind Choi Gook. Yi-hyun asks Kyung-doo on a date out of the blue.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: Yi-hyun insists on a thorough investigation even when the prosecutor just wants to go through the motions. Director Park decides to ask Kyung-doo to deliver a letter to Yi-hyun.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
