The experience of growing up Korean-American differs along the East Coast and West Coast, and in Hawai'i. Most people that I know who are 1.5 generation (Korean-born and United States-raised) Korean-Americans have gone through difficult times. While the difficulties are similar from region to region, there are subtle differences as well.

I grew up in Honolulu, never speaking Korean but understanding simple phrases because my parents spoke Korean at home. I replied in English when they spoke to me. Being the last of four siblings, my Korean was the worst and my brother, the family comedian, did his share to get the whole family to laugh at my feeble attempts.

So in my junior year of college, I decided to do the pilgrimage to South Korea as an exchange student to learn the language. That's where I met Koreans from all over the U.S. — and the world. I got to know Koreans from Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Chicago, as well as France, Australia, Japan, Russia and Brazil.

It was amazing how everyone had a distinct dialect respective of their region when they spoke Korean. Sarah Kim, who grew up in France, spoke Korean with a romantic French accent.

There was one common thread among Korean-Americans, though — identity crisis. Of course, the degree of this varied from person to person. Growing up as part of Hawai'i's diverse ethnic makeup is an advantage. I knew I was Korean-American as long as I could remember.

In my first year at college, my Caucasian friends would ask me if I knew kung fu. Having watched kung fu movies in Chinatown and Black Belt Theatre on TV in my youth, I imitated some moves to my new friends. I guess it worked, since they never messed with me. I do have Mainland friends who show no trace of Korean culture — the only thing Korean about them is their appearance.

When I heard their childhood stories, I had a better understanding of why they had lost their identity. Can you imagine being one of only three Asians in your whole high school? In the sensitive years of your adolescence, fitting in with the crowd was just difficult if you were Asian. It was hard to get a date on weekends and much worse, a date for the prom.

In some cases, you were the token Asian in groups or organizations. The East Coast experience was more severe compared to the West Coast because a significant number of Asians live in California. What is common is that we all had a desire to learn about Korean culture as they aged.

Today, Asians have gained more exposure in the U.S. in cinema, TV, politics and business. America now knows that there are differences among Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipinos.

IL-HO HAS A CHANGE OF HEART; KANG-JAE PROPOSES MARRIAGE

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 55 AND 56

Tonight at 7:50: Seo-young gives Hae-sun their engagement picture as a gift. Il-ho sheds tears of atonement and starts to speak again. He goes to see Sung-jae and tells him he'll give back the noodle factory to Sung-jae's family. Kang-jae proposes marriage to Sung-mi.

Tonight at 8: Hae-sun goes into shock when she gets the result of her physical checkup. Sung-jae and Sung-min are determined to take over Il-ho's noodle factory. Il-ho apologizes to Sung-min.

'MY GIRL'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Monday at 7:50 p.m.: Gong-chan thinks he likes Yoo-rin. Yoo-rin purposely falls and hurts herself when Gong-chan's grandfather wants to go to Japan to meet her father. Jung-woo is torn because he likes Yoo-rin and knows that she likes Gong-chan.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Yoo-rin is embarrassed about having kissed Gong-chan. Sae-hyun's manager finds out Yoo-rin's father is a gambler. Just when Gong-chan's about to tell Jung-woo about Yoo-rin's identity, Jung-woo tells Gong-chan that he likes Yoo-rin.

'KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE'

EPISODES 15 AND 16

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-seok and Bok-gu are reunited, but Bok-gu avoids her. Eun-seok shows signs of bulimia. Joon-sung thinks Bok-gu is the only person who can help Eun-seok, and asks Bok-gu to help her.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m. (final episode): Eun-seok and Bok-gu go on a farewell trip. They promise each other they'd never see each other again. Eun-seok goes back to her life as an actress, resumes her relationship with Joon-sung and concentrates on her career. Bok-gu starts work as a mechanic.

'THE PALACE'

EPISODES 7 AND 8

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Hyo-rin vows to get Shin back. Chae-kyong and Shin are allowed to visit Chae-kyong's family. Chae-kyong is happy to be back home, but Shin can't get used to the life outside of the palace.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-kyong and Shin return to the palace after visiting Chae-kyong's family. Shin is hurt by the strict empress. Shin arranges for Chae-kyong's own car. Chae-kyong and Yool join the riding club.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, the first channel to air K-dramas locally. If you have a question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach him at jeffchung@kbfd.com.