Korean-American director and writer Christine Yoo will release her film "Wedding Palace" Friday in New York, Los Angeles and Hawaii.
"Wedding Palace" is unique in that it was a U.S.-Korean joint production.
The film stars Hye Jung Kang ("Oldboy," "Welcome to Dongmakgol"), Brian Tee ("The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," "The Wolverine"), Bobby Lee ("MADtv") and Margaret Cho. "Wedding Palace" has won the Director’s Award at the Atlanta Korean Film Festival, best Asian American film at the Chinese American Film Festival, and best cinematography and best independent film at Cine Gear Expo Film Series.
Yoo has strong ties to Hawaii as her grandparents worked the plantation fields in the early 1900s. Her mother is a graduate of Kaimuki High School, and her cousin is Joan Namkoong, a local food writer.
"This movie was inspired by my ohana in Hawaii," Yoo said. "While my real-life family is not exactly like the on-screen family, we are a close-knit group that just likes to have a good time, laugh and make some noise! My fondest memories of my life were all made in Hawaii, so this is just my way to share the aloha spirit. That’s what the movie is about: a good time with your friends, family and kids!"
"Wedding Palace" opens Friday at Regal Dole Cannery 18 and Consolidated Pearlridge 16.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Wonderful Mama"
Episodes 33 and 34
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Young-chae disappears after breaking up with Hoon-nam. Hoon-nam searches for her everywhere, including her house. Young-chae has no money, so she goes to her brother’s workplace to ask for some. When Go-eun sees her there, she calls Hoon-nam. However, Young-yi gets to her first. Young-yi asks Young-chae to break up with Hoon-nam so that he may go back to Soo-jin and save the company.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Bok-hee is bothered by what Un-ok said and what the monk told her about Min-soo. She pleads with Bom-suh to start looking for Min-soo again. Bom-suh agrees and places a missing-person ad in the paper. Hoon-nam pays Un-ok back with the money Bom-suh gave him. And Hoon-nam’s whole family proposes to Young-chae. Meanwhile, Da-jung loses all her money to a con man.
"Empire of Gold"
Episodes 17 and 18
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Min-jae becomes the new chairman of Sungjin Group. Min-jae tells Tae-joo to revive Sungjin Credit Card company, which is in deep financial trouble. Jung-hee asks Tae-joo to leave Seo-yoon and join forces with her.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Seo-yoon asks Tae-joo to change the plan to save Sung-jae, but Tae-joo refuses. Seol-hee is released on parole and Tae-joo goes to see her.
"Master’s Sun"
Episodes 3 and 4
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Gong-shil is scared of a ghost wearing only one pink high-heeled shoe but soon learns that the ghost only has a grudge against her husband. Joong-won is shocked when Gong-shil tells him, and he tries to keep his distance from her.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Gong-shil wakes up to find herself lying next to Joong-won. What’s more, they’re even holding hands. A ghost attaches itself to Yi-ryung and keeps telling her, "You’re the most beautiful."
"Goddess of Marriage"
Episodes 17 and 18
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Tae-wook tries to persuade his mother to let Ji-hye continue to work, but only succeeds in aggravating her more. Seung-soo loses his job, and to make matters worse, Cynthia dumps him, too.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: Seung-soo’s condo gets sold, and Seung-soo finds himself homeless and out of a job. Jin-hee hires Eun-hee as an accountant at her factory. Ji-hye finally quits her job and finds herself running silly errands for her mother-in-law and Hye-jung.
———
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
