KBFD quietly celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday.
Our first broadcast was on March 24, 1986, just two years before the Seoul Olympics. Shortly after, we started translating our dramas into English and added subtitles to broaden our audience. What originally started as a station for Hawaii’s Korean community evolved into a local station with more non-Korean viewers. This is due to the fact that Koreans make up about 3 percent of Hawaii’s state population. Although nearly all the Koreans may be watching our family of channels, the reach in households exceeds 3 percent. This may be because many K-drama and K-pop fans have taken KBFD into their homes and incorporated us into their lifestyle.
KBFD has overcome many obstacles and challenges over the years and to celebrate the upcoming 30-year milestone, we initiated the transition to high-definition broadcast in May 2015. KBFD was the first independent station in Hawaii to switch to HD after many years of planning and financing. The result provides our viewers with the best signal possible and our advertisers with HD-quality commercials.
The founder and visionary of KBFD, Chairman Kea Sung Chung, is 82 this year. Through his determination and perseverance, KBFD exists today. KBFD helped elevate the Korean culture in Hawaii, assisted many Korean businesses, promoted Korean culture and is the pioneer in K-drama and K-pop — providing shows and videos before the rest of the world caught on.
Locally owned and operated in Hawaii, KBFD now reaches between 60,000 to 70,000 households in the state, becoming a great marketing platform for many advertisers. To all of our viewers and advertisers, mahalo nui loa!
This week’s synopses
“My Daughter, Sawol”
Episodes 5 and 6
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Dukyeh treats Sawol, whom she finds injured on the street. Min-ho sees a photo of a child at Hae-sun’s columbarium and questions Dukyeh if the baby is his.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Min-ho tells Ji-hye he wants to raise a child who looks like her and pursues the adoption of Hyesang. Meanwhile, Man-hoo visits Hyesang in the hospital and asks if she is Chief Geum’s daughter.
“Root of the Throne”
Episodes 43 and 44
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Moo Hyool and Bang-won reunite and are filled with emotion when they see how much they have changed. Jung Do-jeon feels threatened at the return of Bang-won and Moomyung. Moo Hyool sees Yoon Lang in Hanyang. Bang-won is appalled at the news of envoys being taken in to be questioned.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ha Ryoon and Min-jae urges Yi Seong-gye to send Jung Do-jeon to Ming, whereupon Cho Mal-sang submits a petition against it. Jung Do-jeon seeks an audience with Yi Seong-gye to remove himself from all official posts. Lady Kang, on her deathbed, asks Bang-won to protect Bang-suk. Upon Lady Kang’s death, Yi Seong-gye leaves on a journey.
“Come Back Alive”
Episodes 5 and 6
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hong-nan is bitterly cast to the side when Yi Yeon is given a lead role by Director Goo. Hae-joon is upset that Da-hye and Ji-hoon met up by themselves at a pub. Hae-joon ends up taking on the fashion show. Ji-hoon can only repeat to Hae-joon that there’s a misunderstanding.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Hae-joon loses his cool at seeing Da-hye on her knees, apologizing to an unreasonably rude customer. Hong-nan jumps in seconds before Hae-joon breaks the forbidden rule. Yi Yeon sobs, missing Gi-tak at his rooftop room. Hong-nan watches her from the side, unable to console her.
“Mrs. Cop”
Episodes 3 and 4
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Ms. Go is shocked to discover that on March 15 of every year murder cases go unsolved. She embarks on a mission to solve them. Lee Ro-jun, upon hearing that Violent Crime Team One will reopen Jung Mi-ryong’s case, makes a frightening proposition to Director Baek.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Go Yun-jung falls into a trap set by Lee Ro-jun. He offers his assistance in exchange for freeing him from any additional charges. Team One finds one common factor in all the unsolved murders that happened on March 15.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
