Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Monday, April 29, 2024 74° Today's Paper


Thriller ‘Asura’ is a tangle of politics, cop corruption

“Asura: The City of Madness” is coming to Consolidated Pearlridge West theaters Friday. Director Kim Sung-su reunites with actor Jung Woo-sung 15 years after their film “Musa the Warrior.”

“Asura” stars Woo-sung as Detective Han, who for years has been secretly doing dirty work for the corrupt Mayor Park Sungbae (Hwang Jung-min).

A ruthless prosecutor, Kim Cha-in (Kwak Do-won), starts an investigation against the mayor and pressures Han to cooperate. Han, feeling trapped, persuades his young partner Sunmo (Ju Ji-hoon) to do his work for the mayor, but things begin to get tangled and only the most evil will survive.

This week’s synopses:

“She Was Pretty”

Episodes 9 and 10

Today, 6:30 p.m.: Hye-jin comes back to work at Most so she can buy her father’s printing equipment. Everyone at Most welcomes the new Hye-jin. Sung-joon and Shin-hyuk eagerly express their happiness at Hye-jin’s return. Everyone at Most busily prepares for their 20th-anniversary party.

Today, 7:45 p.m.: The unseen rivalry between Sung-joon and Shin-hyuk for Hye-jin becomes fiercer. Both Sung-joon and Shin-hyuk aggressively pursue Hye-jin. Hye-jin professes her feelings for Sung-joon to Ha-ri.

“Scarlet Heart”

Episodes 5 and 6

Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Hae Soo enters the palace with Wang Wook and Lady Hae. There she runs into Wang So and sees firsthand how Queen Yoo mistreats Wang So. Lady Hae realizes she doesn’t have much time left, and seeing Wang Wook’s affection for Hae Soo, she requests Queen Hwang-bo to have Hae Soo as Wang Wook’s wife.

Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Wang Wook is in despair over Lady Hae’s death. Hae Soo comforts Wang Wook and shares in his sadness. She receives a notice of matrimony, and the princes come together to help her escape.

“Don’t Dare to Dream”

Episodes 9 and 10

Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Rumors spread of Hwa-shin and Na-ri dating. Na-ri sets out to prove the rumor is untrue, which brings mixed feelings to Hwa-shin. Na-ri receives a dress designed by Jung-won which brings envy from all women at the station.

Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Hwa-shin is engulfed in regret at seeing Na-ri and Jung-won kissing. Hwa-shin drinks himself into a stupor and heads for the station. Na-ri is still devoted to caring for Hwa-shin. Hwa-shin decides to move and gets a call from the real estate agent.

“Second to Last Love”

Episodes 14 and 15

Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Sang-shik regrets being unable to stop Min-joo from leaving. He hates himself for not having the courage. Meanwhile, Ye-ji is concerned at what to do about Parents’ Day at school.

Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Min-joo and Sang-shik meet again at the drama project presentation. They share a deep, meaningful conversation. Han Jeong-shik and Shin Seok-gi continue to scheme.


Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.


One response to “Thriller ‘Asura’ is a tangle of politics, cop corruption”

  1. den says:

    kbfd is going down hill, these prime time programs are so boring.
    nothing like before.

Leave a Reply