We could see a spike in Korean visitors this summer, with the U.S. dollar weakening against the South Korean won.
Just last year the rate was around 1,130 won to $1. This week it’s close to 1,011 won to $1, and some economists predict it will fall below the 1,000 mark. Great for Korean visitors coming to Hawaii but bad for locals who wish to visit South Korea.
We might see more than 200,000 South Korean visitors to Hawaii this year, considering that a visa is no longer required to enter the United States.
This week’s synopses
"Rosy Day"
Episodes 5 and 6
Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: There is much ado when Song-jung moves next door to Min-shik. Min-shik’s wife doesn’t understand how a single mother with three daughters could be allowed to move in next door. Things worsen when Da-jung is seen. Shin-ae and Ihn-woo are convinced that Da-jung moved in next door because of Min-shik. Min-shik and his father-in-law try to keep secret how Min-shik knows Song-jung from the family.
Sunday, 7:45 p.m.: Ihn-woo is in a terrible state because of Da-jung. Now he’s afraid that she’s using him to create jealousy. Young bumps into Song-jung when he visits Min-shik’s family and is beside himself when he finds out she’s the woman who moved in next door. He and Shin-ae try to come up with a way to kick her out. Ihn-woo tries to talk to Da-jung and is puzzled when she says it’ll all be over in a month. She leaves him wondering whether she likes him.
"Dr. Stranger"
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-joon tells Soo-hyun he plans to go to the U.S. if he’s fired from the hospital, and asks her to leave with him. But Soo-hyun doesn’t give him a definite answer. Soo-hyun relays Joon-kyu’s message to Hoon that he’d forgive Hoon if he dropped the malpractice suit.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Jang Seok-joo gives Joon-kyu a document that could eliminate Je Il hospital from contention, and asks Joon-kyu to take Hoon back. Hoon begins to doubt Seung-hee’s suspicious behavior. Seung-hee has no other choice but to tell Hoon about her secret mission.
"You’re All Surrounded"
Episodes 13 and 14
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Soo-sun finds her mom and finds out the truth behind the Bag Madam incident. Enraged, Dae-goo looks into Ae-yeon. Tae-ho pressures Pan-seok to close the case quietly.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Jin-kyung, the only witness in the Bag Madam case, goes missing, and the investigation is stalled. Dae-goo is shocked when he overhears the conversation between Soo-sung and the chief. Moon-bae decides to take the matter into his own hands when Dae-goo and Pan-seok close in on him.
Drama Special: "Yeonu’s Summer" and "Mother’s Island"
Friday, 7:45 p.m: Yeonu is a singer in an indie band who works part time at a bar. She’s close to her mother, who works as a janitor. When her mom gets into a car accident and has to be hospitalized for a week, Yone-woo fills in for her. There she meets Ji-wan, her friend from childhood.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: A mother lives alone on an island. Her grown children have all left home, living their own lives. On their mother’s birthday, the four brothers and sisters come home only to face an uncomfortable truth that scares them out of their minds.
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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.
