KBFD currently has two series, “Roots of the Throne,” on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:45 p.m., and “Jeong Do-jeon,” on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:25 p.m., which are both historical and also during the same time period. Jeong Do Jeon
KBFD currently has two series, “Roots of the Throne,” on Mondays and Tuesdays at 7:45 p.m., and “Jeong Do-jeon,” on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:25 p.m., which are both historical and also during the same time period. Jeong Do Jeon helps General Yi Seong-gye later overthrow the Goryeo dynasty establishing Joseon Dynasty.
In the “Jeong Do Jeon” series, the program focuses on Jeong becoming an influential scholar and politician forming the new Joseon Dynasty as General Yi becomes the first King of Joseon, King Taejo. “Roots of the Throne” focuses on Yi Bang Won, the fifth son of General Yi Seong-gye become the third King of Joseon, King Taejong.
Jeong Do Jeon and Yi Bang Won are arch-rivals and Jeong ends up being killed later by Yi Bang Won on his way to become the third King of Joseon.
Under Yi Bang Won’s influence, his older brother became the second King of Joseon, King Jeong Jong but only for a brief moment. It is Yi Bang Won’s third son who later becomes King Sejong the Great who is famous for creating the Korean alphabet, Hangul.
It is during this period that Buddhism changed to a Confucian beliefs and policies. “Jeong Do Jeon” has a headstart in broadcast so the historical timeline is ahead of “Roots of the Throne.” I hope this helps with the confusion for many who have been emailing me.
Weekly update
‘The Legendary Witches’
Episodes 7 & 8
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Sooyin’s cellmates find out she was the daughter-in-law of Shinhwa Group when she throws a pastry at the chairman. Mio’s son reaches 18 months and can’t stay in jail with her anymore. She sends him away in tears. Boknyo is finally released after 30 years.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Won-jae threatens Tae-san that what he did to Sooyin was a fraud. Young-ok is transferred to cell number 10 and nobody is too happy about her. Boknyo visits Chairman Ma’s house.
‘Root of the Throne’
Episodes 3 & 4
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Bang-won finds Heo Kang, one of Jeong Do-jeon’s students, among Confuscian students. Heo Kang tells Bang-won to enter Sungkyungwan if he wants to become like Jeong Do-jeon. Bang-won decides to stay in Gaegyeong. Boonyi and Ttang-sae ask Jeong Do-jeon about the song he sang.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Ttang-sae leaves to find his mother, but meets Gil Sun-mi and hears a shocking news. Mu-hyul’s grandmother asks Hong Dae-hong to take Mu-hyul as his student.
‘The Town, the Uninvited’
Episodes 3 & 4
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Woo-jae has a busy night looking for Ga-young. Woo-jae gets a big lead from the shaman living across So-yoon’s place regarding Hye-jin’s case. So-yoon finds out her sister’s remains are not with her parents and decides to look for her sister.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: So-yoon finds Yoo-na’s phone at her place and goes to rescue Yoo-na. The Young Lady is arrested as a suspect in Hye-jin’s murder case. Woo-jae finds another lead while questioning the Young Lady.
‘Identical Affairs’
Episode 17 & 18
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Hae-gang begs Jin-eon to help her protect the people she loves from him. Baek Seok is furious when he sees the two of them together. Hae-gang goes to the hospital when she hears Tae-joon was in an hit-and-run accident and runs into Gyu-nam.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: When Jin-eon finds out Hae-gang tricked him to the dinner with Seol-ri’s family, he announces that he has no intention of marrying Seol-ri, that he’s still in love with his wife. Enraged, Seol-ri tears down Hae-gang’s room. Baek Seok tells Jin-eon that Hae-gang is dead. Yong-gi returns from China with Woo-joo, her daughter.
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Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. This column offers synopses of the dramas playing throughout Hawaii. Chung can be reached at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.