Here is some recent South Korean travel news:
» As of Sept. 5, South Koreans who travel abroad can spend up to $600 at duty-free shops. The previous cap was $400.
» Jin Air, a budget regional airline, is expected to start a route from Incheon to Honolulu in the summer of 2015. The number of South Koreans visiting Hawaii is expected to reach 250,000 this year and could hit 300,000 in 2015 with Jin Air servicing Hawaii.
» South Korean visitors have steadily grown since the visa waiver program began.
» South Korean visitors are second to Chinese visitors in daily spending in Hawaii.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Modern Farmer"
Episodes 1 and 2
Sunday, 6:30 p.m.:Min-ki, Hyeok, Han-cheol and Ki-jun used to form the band Excellent Souls. They had potential but it wasn’t meant to be. Now they are in their mid-20s. Min-ki’s still trying to live the dream. Hyeok is an intern in his father’s hospital, Han-cheol is a trainee at a corporation and Ki-jun has been studying for the public servant exam for years now. All are trying to forget their dream, except Min-ki. When Min-ki’s grandmother dies and leaves him a big chunk of land, he decides to grow cabbages to make enough money to produce their own album. The others are hesitant at first, but circumstances bring them together. And off they head to the country.
Sunday, 7:45 p.m.: When the boys get to Hadurok-ri, Min-ki tells the rest of the group the legend around the deer. As soon as they get there, they can’t seem to stay out of trouble. They already have the whole village against them. Min-ki discovers that his first love, Yun-hui, is now the village forewoman and has a son.
"Secret Door"
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: The king arrests members of the Soron party to hold them responsible for the book that accuses him of killing the late king. Kim Taek also tells the king that there’s a rumor that the crown prince is behind them. The king makes a surprising offer to Chae Je-gong to save the crown prince.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: The king withdraws all power given to the crown prince and weakens the crown prince’s power in the court. Three years later the crown prince asks Kim Taek to be his teacher in politics. The crown prince immerses himself in the pleasures of alcohol and women, and runs into Jidam at a gisaeng house.
"My Lovely Girl"
Episodes 15 and 16 (final episode)
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Sae-na rejects Shi-woo, but Shi-woo says he will not give up on Sae-na. Jae-young seeks Chairman Lee’s help when he lands in financial trouble. But when Chairman Lee refuses to help him, he tells him Hyun-wook is dating So-eun’s sister. He tells Hyun-wook and Sae-na to break up.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Sae-na disappears, only leaving a note behind. A year later Sae-na comes back to Seoul when her friend Hong gets pregnant. Out of curiosity, Sae-na visits Hyun-wook’s old house, which is not vacant.
"Birth of a Beauty"
Episodes 1 and 2
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Sara (Han Ye-seul), a ravishing beauty by any standard, sympathizes deeply with Geum-ran’s story she sees on an extreme makeover show. When Geum-ran doesn’t make the cut on the show, Sara calls the network only to be told that Geum-ran dropped out of the show.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Sara is devastated when she sees Kang-joon (Jung Gyu-woon) and Chae-yeon’s (Wang Ji-hye) wedding announcement on TV. She also sees a picture of Tae-hee (Joo Sang-wook) with Chae-yeon in Tae-hee’s office. Tae-hee and Sara agree to work together to stop Kang-joon and Chae-yeon’s wedding.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
