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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 27, 2008

Kim Bum Soo paying us a visit

By Jeff Chung

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kim Bum Soo

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Korean television dramas are all about romance, so it's no surprise that there's a place for them in this year's 10-day Hawai'i Romance Festival, which kicks off Friday at 'Iolani Palace.

Korean singer Kim Bum Soo, who sang the theme song for the K-drama series "Chun-guk Eh Ge-dan" (Stairway to Heaven), will perform during International Music Night on May 4. For fans who can't wait, he'll greet guests during the opening ceremony.

"Stairway to Heaven," featuring megastars Kwon Sang Woo, Choi Ji Woo and Shin Hyun Joon, was hugely popular in South Korea, Asia and some Latin countries. Kim's song "Bo Go Ship Da" (I Miss You) also became an instant hit — touching the hearts of some local English-speaking women, who learned the Korean lyrics and sing along without cue cards.

While most K-drama fan clubs in Hawai'i are dedicated to shows and actors, Kim boasts what might be the only local fan club for a Korean musician.

In October 2005, the Hawai'i Kim Bum Soo fan club held a meeting at a Waikiki hotel, and members posed for photos wearing Kim T-shirts and holding their arms in the shape of hearts. Two weeks later, they and other local fans packed Hawai'i Theatre, where Kim's romantic songs moved many ladies to tears.

Kim Bum Soo fans will have two chances to see him at the Hawai'i Romance Festival:

  • Friday: Opening Ceremonies at 'Iolani Palace from 6 to 8 p.m. Kim will not perform, but will greet guests. The event is free and open to the public.

  • May 4: Kim will perform as part of International Music Night, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Waikiki Shell. The concert will also feature Sergio Men-des, the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai'i, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Martin Nievera and Jake Shimabukuro. Tickets are $25 for lawn seating; $65 and $95 for terrace seating; and $150 for premium seating, which includes a CD. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the Blaisdell box office at 591-2211 for more information.

    THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

    'HAPPINESS'

    EPISODES 7 AND 8

    Tonight at 7: When Jun-su tells Sang-wook that he'd never know what love is, Sang-wook becomes tormented and shows up at Ji-sook's place drunk. When the employees at SJ company find out who Seo-yun is, they all avoid her. Jun-su tells Seo-yun the most important thing is the fact that he loves her. Tonight at 8: Sae-young makes a huge scene after she sees Seo-yun and Jun-su in a compromising position. Chairman Park sees his wife pulling his daughter's hair and screaming in the middle of the company lobby and is disgusted by their actions. While looking for a new job, Jun-su endures ill-treatment from Sang-wook at work.

    'KING & I'

    EPISODES 55 AND 56

    Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: The court is divided by Prince Yeon-san's orders to have the deposed queen's grave moved and her family pardoned. Eunuch Yang tells the prince his consideration for his late mother could taint the late king's name, and gets flogged. Chi-gyeom comes to Eunuch Yang's aid and chides others for not standing up for him. Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.: Prince Yeon-san rushes to appoint his eldest son as the crown prince. Chi-gyeom gives him the list of people who were involved in the late queen's death. Kim Ja-won finds out Jung Han-su was deeply involved in the queen's death.

    'ON AIR'

    EPISODE 5 AND 6

    Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Through a meeting with Seung-ah and director Lee, writer Suh is reunited with President Jang, and we begin to learn of their history together. Writer Suh and director Lee finally decide to do their drama on the topic of mental retardation. Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: Feeling down about his canceled project, director Lee thinks of a way to get his project back. He visits Seung-ah to ask her to do the project with him, and Seung-ah refuses because she realizes she was the second choice for the main role.

    'SCARY GIRL'

    EPISODES 65, 66 AND 67, 68

    Friday at 7:45 p.m.: Jung-jin comes home to find Kyung-pyo has packed his things and left home, but he tells his mother that he won't process Kyung-pyo's resignation until Chairman Baek recovers. Saturday at 7:45 p.m.: Young-rim goes to see Kyung-pyo and asks him to return to the office. When he refuses, she tells him that she'd go to the company attorneys with the taped conversation they just had.