The Busan International Film Festival is going through some changes as the festival’s longtime programmer and executive director, Lee Yong-kwan, was recommended to step down this past January by Busan City Mayor Suh Byung-soo after a special audit on BIFF was taken. Many supporters of Lee say this was the backlash from screening the film "Diving Bell" last year despite objections from the government.
Leaders in the Korean film industry call this a censorship issue of the festival. The controversial documentary chronicles the tragic sinking of Sewol ferry in April where hundreds of high school students drowned.
The captain of the ship, dressed in civilian clothes, fled the vessel instead of helping passengers, and the crews’ poor evacuation process led to the loss of many young lives. The film raises questions about the government’s response and reaction time to the sinking of the ferry.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Family Is Coming"
Episodes 13 and 14
Sunday, 6:30 p.m.: Dong-seok finds out that Jun-a and Jun-hui are siblings. He promises to take care of Jun-hui if Jun-a leaves. But Keut-sun makes it impossible for him to leave. She starts losing her memory and asks for Jun-a. Dong-seok doesn’t know whether he should tell Jun-hui. But when Jun-a crosses Dal-ja, she gives Jun-hui information on their mother.
Sunday, 7:45 p.m.: Jun-hui falls ill from the shock of finding out her mother is alive. When Keut-sun allows Dal-su to come home but not Se-ho and Dong-eun, the couple finally get their act together and come up with a new kind of cheese. Jun-hui makes it to the final stage of the design competition. The real Kook Jun-hui shows up at the house claiming that someone’s been impersonating him.
"Heard It Through the Grapevine"
Episodes 1 and 2
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-ho (Yoo Jung-sang) and Yeon-hee (Yoo Ho-jung) are modern-day royals. They have power, wealth and fame, and lead a life of prestige. They also have perfect plans for their high school senior son, In-sang (Lee Joon). But their plans go awry when In-sang falls in love with Bom (Goh Ah-sung), a normal girl from a "common" family.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-ho and Yeon-hee receive the shock of their lives when In-sang brings home a pregnant girlfriend. But even before they can get over their shock, Bom goes into labor.
"Hyde, Jekyll, Me"
Episodes 11 and 12
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Seo-jin decides to come clean about himself to Ha-na. He asks her to stay by his side until he falls asleep and wakes up again. Ha-na is in shock when Seo-jin wakes up as Robin. Robin tells her Seo-jin and he are two people who share the same body.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Tae-joo is confused when Seo-jin tells him he remembers another incident and wants to talk about it. Seo-jin tells Ha-na he’s the one Ha-na confessed to when they were on a trip, and tells her he believes Ha-na actually has feelings for him since she has feelings for Robin.
"My Heart Twinkle, Twinkle"
Episodes 11 and 12
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Soon-jung finds out Woon-tak is responsible for her father’s death. Woon-tak finds Soon-jung eavesdropping and threatens her not to tell Soon-jin. Scared, Soon-jung runs away from home.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Soon-jung is now living in Seoul and working at a chicken joint where she makes little money. Woon-tak finally opens a franchise in Seoul and throws a party to celebrate. Soon-jin finds out she’s pregnant and Woon-tak is overjoyed, but Soon-jin can’t be happy thinking about Soon-jung.
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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.
