At South Korea’s 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards, held Nov. 25, two films and their veteran stars swept top categories. “A Taxi Driver” was named best film and its star, Kang-ho Song, who visited Honolulu in 2002 when the Hawaii International Film Festival screened his film “YMCA Baseball Team,” won best leading actor.
The only South Korean film this year to sell 10 million tickets, “A Taxi Driver” also received Audience Choice and best music awards.
Best director and leading actress honors went to Hyun-seok Kim and Moon-hee Na, respectively, for “I Can Speak,” which screened this year at HIFF. Na also won the Popular Star award for her performance as an elderly woman in “I Can Speak,” which touches on the subject of Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
“Breezy Love”
Episodes 50-51
>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Deokcheon discovers Mipoong is his real granddaughter and searches for her. But Mipoong and Deokcheon keep missing each other. Mipoong and her family get dragged to the countryside night club by the loan sharks. Deokcheon hires a private detective to tail Shinae.
>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jango reveals Shinae’s real identity. Shinae takes Daehoon and Eujin, and departs. Dalho tells Heedong the truth about Shinae. Shinae calls Deokcheon to congratulate him on finding his granddaughter.
“Love Temperature”
Episodes 33-34
>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-sun’s restaurant gets a Michelin star. Hyun-soo’s drama gets pushed up. Jung-sun reaches out to Hyun-soo, but she pulls back, telling him his guard is up. Both Jung-sun and Hyun-soo are moving along in their professional lives, but their personal lives are not so rosy.
Episodes 35-36
>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-sun gets an offer at a top restaurant in Hong Kong. Hyun-soo asks if he will leave. He says he’ll stay if she tells him to. Their love seems to be on course again. Jung-woo is surprised at Jung-sun’s hesitation at the offer. Hong-ah realizes she actually loves Won-joon.
“Judge vs. Judge”
Episodes 1-2 (Premiere)
>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: This drama probes the court system and those who work in it.
Episodes 3-4
>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Prosecutor Lee is held hostage by a suspect who holds a knife at her throat and later becomes the talk of the court system. Prosecutor Sa tells her to remove her official attire.
“Bravo My Life”
Episodes 17-18
>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Bum-woo has an incident while filming and becomes unresponsive. Despite Do-na’s urging, he refuses to go to the hospital. Ha-young continues to harass RaRa at filming. Do-na stands up for RaRa against Ha-young, which makes RaRa very happy.
Episodes 19-20
>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Do-na asks the music director to look after Sung-ah. Chairman Jung warns Ha-young to leave RaRa alone. Do-hyun throws Do-na a surprise birthday party. Sung-ah gets suspicious of whether Ha-young is actually pregnant. Do-na’s drama rating tops the chart.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
