The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics closed last weekend with a festive ceremony which included performances by K-pop group EXO and CL, a former member of the disbanded girl group 2NE1.
A 13-year-old Tae-wan Yang armed with the guitar awed the world with his performance of “Winter” from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” CL performed a mix of 2NE1 famous songs along with her own single “The Baddest Female.”
But the Olympic K-pop story was the meeting of EXO and Russian figure skater Evgenia Medvedeva. The Russian figure skater who won the silver medal in women’s singles figure skating is a big fan of EXO.
Her dream came true when she met with all eight members of EXO at the closing ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang last week. She had a photo opportunity with her favorite group which was made possible by the organizing committee and EXO’s management agency. Medvedeva was presented with EXO’s album with everyone’s autograph when she arrived at Pyeongchang early February.
Weekly Update
‘Rebel’
Episodes 23 &24
Today, 6:30 p.m.: “Thief Hong Is Dead.” The enraged Ga-ryong enters the palace as a gisaeng to avenge Gildong’s death. The King’s tyrannical ways knows no bounds. While taking refuge in a deep mountain, Gildong makes a decisive action.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: The King is to rule with suppression of his people. Seeing this, Gildong and Gilhyun lead people to confront the tyrannical king. Garyong enters the King’s bed chamber. Noksu schemes to have Okran eliminated.
‘Kidnapping’
Part 1 of 2 (Mon);
Part 2 of 2 (Tues)
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: A slum-like residential neighborhood is about to get demolished for redevelopment. The corrupt Assemblyman lies about helping them out. Turns out, he is actually the orchestrator of the demolition.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Gangsters destroy the homes and beat the people to leave. When pushed to the brink of unfair misery, three ordinary women take matters into their own hands: Operation Kidnapping of the Assemblyman!
‘I Am After You’
Part 1 of 2 (Wed);
Part 2 of 2 (Thur)
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: In a harshly competitive society where your academic standing determines your life, corruption ensues beneath the surface. Hee-tae is the president of Angel Fund, a private loan lender company, where individuals lend to individuals.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: He set it up after suffering discrimination for being a transfer student to Seoul University. However, when his company is linked with a student hate murder case, things get complicated. Will the ethic of ‘survival of the fittest’ stay strong, even when pushed to the brink of moral questioning?
‘Money Flower’
Episodes 3 &4
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: A plan goes underway to get Boo Cheon and Mo Hyun together. Their relationship gets on the fast track. Pil Joo schemes to make sure Mo Hyun believes it’s fated love. Boo Cheon, caught off-guard, introduces himself as Pil Joo. Mo Hyun starts to fall for Boo Cheon, who puts up a front as a person with an unhappy past. Pil Joo introduces himself to Mo Hyun as Kang Uchan but to his surprise, Mo Hyun calls him Pil Joo.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Mo Hyun and Boo Cheon start to genuinely fall for each other. Mo Hyun receives photos from an anonymous package with info on Pil Joo, Boo Cheon’s real identity, and Cheong A. Pil Joo gathers info on Cheong A and Chairman Jang. Pil Joo can’t help but feel drawn to Mo Hyun. The Chairman’s ruthless ways continue.
•••
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.