Haeundae Beach is South Korea’s Waikiki Beach. Located in the city of Busan, the beach attracts more than 15 million tourists a year. It was once 70 meters (about 229 feet) wide, but due to years of erosion and development in the area, the beach has been reduced to 30 meters (about 98 feet). From 1990 to 2013, the city spent millions of dollars trying to fix the problem by adding a total of 13 acres of sand to the beach — a losing proposition.
Then the city spent three years studying the rip current (“Mitigation Measures for Beach Erosion and Rip Current”) and found that the installation of groin-type submerged breakwaters accompanied with large-scale beach nourishment would minimize erosion. The city is spending more than $40 million to build the structures, which will be completed next year.
We have breakwaters in Hawaii that can be seen at Ko Olina lagoons and the beach at the outermost point of Magic Island. Waikiki Beach faces erosion, and we should look at the project in Busan as it may give us ideas on how to save our iconic beach.
Honolulu has sister-city relationships with Incheon and Seoul while the state of Hawaii has a sister-city relationship with Jeju province (Jeju Island). It may be a great time to set up a sister-city relationship with Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea.
This week’s synopses
“My Daughter, Sawol”
Episodes 25 and 26
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Chan-bin brings Sawol home to introduce her to the family. Dukyeh fears Manhoo’s retaliation and opposes their union. Chan-bin informs Man-hoo that he loves Sawol and that he will never give her up. Ji-hye comes upon a photo of Dukyeh and Min-ho and wonders about the child they had.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Chan-bin plans a proposal to relay to Sawol his undying love for her. Ji-hye shudders in anguish as she assumes Hyesang is Min-ho and Dukyeh’s daughter. Sawol realizes Hongdo is Owel.
“The Royal Gambler”
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Dae-gil sets out to bring down Gol Sa’s gambling house. Dae-gil bids Prince Yeoning to have the authorities involved. Unable to heed Dae-gil’s request, Prince Yeoning seeks help from Kim Chang-jib. King Suk-jong shows Concubine Suk-bin the notices that are posted around the capital. Concubine Suk-bin is flabbergasted to see that Dae-gil is out to strike Gol Sa.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Dae-gil sees Dam Seo ready to strike Gol Sa with a knife. Dae-gil gives Dam Seo a chance to escape. Dae-gil helps Gol Sa to his feet, but he soon draws his last breath. Yeon-hwa misunderstands and thinks Dae-gil is the killer. Kim Chang-jib burns the record book given by Prince Yeoning. Prince Yeoning is outraged at Kim Chang-jib’s betrayal.
“The Entertainer”
Episodes 9 and 10
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ha-neul and Jin-woo finally face each other. Jin-woo speedily drives off after their meeting, and ends up in an accident. Ha-neul witnesses the accident and seeks Suk-ho’s help. The other members of the band are lost without Jin-woo. To avoid Jae-hoon’s mother’s scrutiny, Suk-ho gets a hold of Jae-hoon at his school.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Suk-ho arrives in high spirits at the venue for the band’s first performance. Members are all dumbfounded to know that they will perform for seniors. Ha-neul gives Ji-young a silent warning at the TV station, and makes Ji-young fearful.
“Pretty Ugly”
Episodes 3 and 4
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: After much searching, Gong-shim finally lands a job. Dae-hwang sees Dante with Chairman Nam and orders Gong-shim to look into Dante. Gong-shim asks Dante out for a drink and makes a fatal mistake.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Gong-mi gets close to Joon-su with the info Gong-shim gave her. Dante is caught off guard when he shows his feelings for Gong-shim. Gong-shim is confused by Dante’s flippant behavior. Chairman Nam receives a pendant he gave to Joon-pyo 26 years ago.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
