The makeup of South Korean households is rapidly changing, with a full quarter of households comprising only one member. That proportion is projected to grow to one-third by 2035. This has resulted in a boom for convenience stores — business has increased 15 percent, as singles tend to buy groceries in small amounts rather than in bulk. Food manufacturers are making more single-serving products, which may cost a little more but lessen food waste. Appliance manufacturers are making smaller microwaves, single-serving rice cookers, little refrigerators and other products for single-member households.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Rosy Day"
Episodes 43 and 44 (Final episode)
Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: Song-jung and the family find out whose son Hee-joo is. Song-jung finally gets an apology from the girls’ father and decides to move on with her life. Soon-ok slowly starts to lose her memory. When Shin-ae first hears about Young and Song-jung, she is up in arms, but the rest of the family just ignores her and tries to come up with a way to get Song-jung and Young together.
Sunday, 7:45 p.m.: Song-jung finally accepts Young after much persuasion. A few months later Da-jung has a baby girl. Three years later, Da-jung is busy with the store and two kids. Dah-ae is focused on Un-chan and won’t have a baby until he goes to college. Dah-ihn starts working at a magazine and is still with Jee-ho. Song-jung and Young are happy taking care of their grandchildren.
"Secret Door"
Episodes 11 and 12
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: The Crown Prince tries to shake up Noron to find who Jook Pa is, and Soron pushes for Kim Taek’s impeachment to help the crown prince. Kim Taek suggests the king make plans for a new successor when he thinks the crown prince is onto the Written Pledge.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: The king is in tears when he presents his plans for tax reform to the crown prince. The crown prince hides his true intentions and helps his father. Both Noron and Soron feel threatened by the crown prince’s change in attitude.
"My Lovely Girl"
Episodes 13 and 14
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-wook’s father apologizes to Hyun-wook about So-eun, and asks Hyun-wook to run the company when he has a health crisis. Sae-na accepts Shi-woo’s offer to work on his new album, but she can’t seem to get anything done. Hyun-wook tries to help Sae-na, but she turns him down.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Shi-woo confesses on a radio show that he has someone special. His comment reignites the scandal with Sae-na. ANA, Shi-woo’s agency, decides to announce that Shi-woo and Sae-na are in a relationship. Feeling bad for Hyun-wook, Sung-jin tries to clear up Sae-na’s misunderstanding of Hyun-wook.
"Endless Love"
Episode 37 (Final episode)
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Kwang-cheol rushes out to save Chil-sung from the kidnappers. Se-kyung begs Park Young-tae to spare Kwang-cheol’s life. Park Young-tae tries to flee the country with Hye-rin and Se-kyung, but Kwang-hoon and Kwang-cheol catch him.
Drama Special: "When I Was the Prettiest"
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: When Shin-ae’s cancer returns, she wants to forego anti-cancer treatment and spend the rest of her life peacefully with her family, but her husband persuades her to seek treatment. Shin-ae’s will to live is rekindled when she meets Jung-hyuk at an animal shelter.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
