One of the best-kept secrets that I realized on my recent trip to the Busan International Film Festival is that flying to Busan, Korea, is best via Fukuoka, Japan, on Hawaiian Airlines.
With no direct flights to Busan, many fly through Incheon or Narita. The Hawaiian Airlines flight to Fukuoka departs Honolulu at 1 p.m. and arrives at 5:55 p.m. A two-hour layover, then a short 55-minute hop on Korean Air — which code-shares with Hawaiian — and you’re in Busan. The arrival gate and that of the connecting flight are close, so there is no rush.
The return flight is just as easy, and the layover is also only two hours at Fukuoka. If you were to fly via Incheon, you would depart about two hours earlier on Hawaiian and have a three-hour layover that included a long walk and tram ride to the connecting flight.
Compare on websites and you will see flying through Fukuoka is faster and cheaper in most cases. The Hawaiian Airlines route has as an option to rent an iPad Mini filled with Hollywood and Asian films, and they provide a free snack service of rice noodles. Last, for those who like to fly in the front of the cabin, you can upgrade at the check-in counter for as little as $400 each way, depending on seat availability and your Hawaiian Miles membership status.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Wonderful Mama"
Episodes 41 and 42
Today, 6:30 p.m.: With the intent of telling Hoon-nam that he’s adopted, Ki-nam shows him the baby photo and clothes. However, they are interrupted by Beom-suh. Bok-hee tells Ki-nam that she’s very sick and begs him not to tell Hoon-nam the truth. Nan-hee’s background check comes back clean. However, Soo-jin witnesses an intimate conversation between Nan-hee and Mr. Yang.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Both Hoon-nam and Young-chae want to know who the baby in the photo is. They are told that he was Bok-hee’s son and that he died in the factory fire. When Un-ok sees that Soo-jin and Yoon-jae are getting close, she tells Soo-jin that Yoon-jae is Bok-hee’s son. In shock, Soo-jin leaves but tells Beom-suh before she does. Beom-suh and Bok-hee drag Un-ok to the labs to get the truth.
"The Mystery Housemaid"
Episodes 1 and 2
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Sang-cheol hires Bok-nyu as a housekeeper when his wife dies. But the agency warns Sang-cheol to be careful of Bok-nyu, who will do everything she’s told. For her birthday, Hye-gyul says she wants to see her late mom, and Na-young promises her she’ll grant her wish.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Han-gyul finds out her mom committed suicide because of her father’s infidelity. She goes to see Song-hwa, her father’s mistress, and shows her the last note her mother left. Sang-cheol is not happy with Bok-nyu and asks the agency to send a different housekeeper.
"Master’s Sun"
Episodes 11 and 12
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Although Gong-sil is not sure of Joong-won’s sincerity when he professes his love for her, she’s still elated when Joong-won offers to take her anywhere she wants on a date. But news of the Giant Mall’s chairman’s death ruins the moment. Joong-won takes Gong-sil to the funeral and introduces her as his girlfriend.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Joong-won comes to Gong-sil’s house for their first date. Joong-won’s aunt tries all she can to get Gong-sil away from Joong-won. Gong-sil sees a lady who’s looking for her missing son. But sadly, Gong-sil also sees the boy’s ghost next to the mom.
"Goddess of Marriage"
Episodes 25 and 26
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-kyung is depressed when she sees a picture of Hyun-woo and Ji-hye. Hyun-woo is worried and sends Ji-hye a text message when he doesn’t hear her script on the radio show. Hye-jung moves out of the house with her daughters.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: Man-ho orders Tae-jin to bring Hye-jung back home, but Hye-jung starts a divorce suit worth millions. Ji-hye goes to stay with Ji-sun to recuperate. Tae-wook sees Hyun-woo’s text messages on Ji-hye’s phone.
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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.
