One of the most popular South Korean comfort foods is Jajangmyun, or noodles with black bean sauce. Its origin goes back to the Chinese Zhajiangmian dish literally meaning “fried sauce noodles” from the Shangdong region of China. This dish is the main item on the current drama “Wok of Love,” a Chinese-Korean restaurant run by gangsters. Jajangmyun is made with black bean sauce, pork and vegetables.
There are several variations of it and you can find it here in Hawaii at several locations. You can Yelp it and find Chinese-Korean restaurants that serve it. Be warned that it’s not the best “first date” food as it can get a little messy eating it. You can literally end up with black bean sauce all over your mouth by the end of the meal.
Weekly Update
‘Secret Mother’
Episodes 5 &6; 7 &8
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Hae Kyung, Ji Ae and Hwa Sook, three mothers from the Gangnam academic district, feel threatened by Eun Young, who knows their secret. Yoon Jin makes a dangerous deal to find her daughter’s kidnapper.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Yoon Jin gives Eun Young the pink slip. However, she takes her back as Min Joon’s tutor, when she sees Eun Young standing up for her son. Eun Young learns of the accident. Jung Wan gets furious when Yoon Jin tells him she wants to stop pursuing the case.
‘Wok Of Love’
Episodes 13 &14 (Wed); Episodes 15 &16 (Thur)
Monday 7:45 p.m.: Chil Seong feels the retaliation from Dal Hee’s new man. She warns Sae Woo not to fall for the likes of him, that she’d end up getting hurt. Still, he can’t get over his feelings for Sae Woo, as Poong’s feelings grow for her as well. Poong can’t accept that he has feelings for Sae Woo, and can’t control his emotions.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Sae Woo falls asleep at the emergency room with butterflies for Chil Seong. But to her surprise, she dreams of Poong. As Poong’s feelings for Sae Woo grows, he tries to suppress it by being mean to Sae Woo. Poong gets his wits together, and develops a new menu to confront his former employer.
‘The Undateables’
Episodes 3 &4 (Wed); Episodes 5 &6 (Thur)
Wednesday 7:45 p.m.: A counselor at a matchmaking company, Jung Eum manages loser clients at love. She is given tasks to get them matched with an imminent due date. Hoon Nam can’t seem to get that mysterious woman out of his mind.
Thursday 7:45 p.m.: Jung Eum discovers that Hoon Nam is the writer for the popular dating column “Hunnamjeongeum.” Jung Eum goes after Hoon Nam, hoping to scout him. She plans methodically to get him on board and finally succeeds. Will they overcome their less than pleasant first encounter?
‘Rich Son’
Episodes 17 &18 (Fri); Episodes 19 &20 (Sat)
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Soo Hee is devastated after finding out the loan taken out by Gye Dong can never be repaid. Kyung Ha and Attorney Park continue seeing each other. With each meeting, they realize they have many things in common.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Gye Dong gives Soo Hee a signed divorce paper. He pledges to protect Gwang Jae and Soo Hee. Gye Dong learns Young Ha is the one Tae Il has in his heart. Tae Il is torn between his love for Young Ha and his loyalty to Gye Dong. Tae Il ends up professing his love for Young Ha.
•••
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.
