Supermarkets in South Korea are reinventing themselves into “Grocerants.” In a convenient world where we can buy nearly anything with a few clicks online, brick-and-motor stores need to adapt to the changing consumer trends. Grocerants brings a full-service restaurant experience into the supermarket experience.
Currently, prepared food section are very popular in supermarkets but South Korean supermarkets have taken it a step further where customers sit and dine in the grocery store. You can basically have a meal while shopping for your bacon and eggs.
Some variants have food courts within the supermarket. The “Grocerant” version is operated by the supermarket passing along savings to the consumer. The consumer will view the ingredients to be fresh, convenient, and time-saving while taste is quite good. There are lobster stations, juice stations, salad stations and steak stations with other variations continuing to be created.
Weekly Update
‘Rebel’
Episodes 27 &28
Today, 6:30 p.m.: The battle between Gildong’s men and the King’s army escalates. King sends reinforcements with Junghak at helm. Garyung approaches the King, luring him with a promise of secrets to be revealed.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Garyung is put on a stake as a sacrifice. Gildong aims his arrow at Garyung. Mori’s men and a great number of Jurchens head for Hyangjumok. Prince Chungwon shows up with his soldiers.
‘Should We Kiss First?’
Episodes 5 &6 (Mon);
7 &8 (Tues)
Monday 7:45 p.m.: At seeing Soon-jin again, Moo-han feels like fate is playing tricks on him. Soon-jin’s attack on Moo-han only escalates. Moo-han has mixed feelings about her reaction, as he remembers the scene at the divorce court. Moo-han’s daughter comes to Korea. She boards the flight that Soo-jin’s working on, and their first encounter is unpleasant.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Intoxication leads to Soon-jin and Moo-han spending the night together. Ever carefully, they reveal their feelings for each other. Soon-jin appreciates Moo-han’s offer to be her friend. Moo-han and his daughter have a long overdue reunion at a police station, when Moo-han is called to get her out of a holding cell. The reunion is anything but happy.
‘Return’
Episodes 17 &18 (Wed); 19 &20 (Thur)
Wednesday 7:45 p.m.: Were the boys just at the wrong place and time? Behind all the murders, Ja-hye seems somehow connected. A question surrounds her real identity. With Ahn Hak-soo’s death, Dok-go feels danger closing in on him. All the princes are questioned about the new murder.
Thursday 7:45 p.m.: In-ho learns the truth and gets enraged at Tae-suk and Hak-bum. Hak-bum breaks down and gets on his knees to apologize. The four princes’ friendship is put to the test, as conflict between them escalates. Joon-hee’s life is in danger. Dok-go throws a curveball question to Ja-hye, and she responds with a mysterious look.
‘Money Flower’
Episodes 7 &8
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Mal Ran shows up at Pil Joo’s office with Pil Joo’s DNA test. Seong Man shows up at Ki Chul’s, as he meets Pil Joo. Mal Ran asks Pil Joo to look for Eun Cheon. Pil Joo tails Assistant Oh while he searches for Eun Cheon, and gets attacked. Not knowing Seo Won’s relationship with Boo Cheon, Mo Hyun feels for Seo Won and tries to help her. Boo Cheon and Mo Hyun’s families meet.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Mal Ran tells Pil Joo to forget Mo Hyun. Mo Hyun’s father tells Seong Man he’s chosen to side with Chairman Jang. Pil Joo learns Boo Cheon is not of Jang family blood. Seong Man questions Boo Cheon’s blood relation. Pil Joo tells Boo Cheon the truth about his lineage.
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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.
