Traveling to the east coast of the South Korean peninsula just got easier as a new high-speed train line just finished construction in time for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February 2018.
Seoul to Gangneung (eastern coast) used to take about six hours: three-plus hours by train then another 2.5 hours by car. With the new high-speed line, the time will be an hour and 40 minutes from Seoul Incheon Airport. From Seoul Incheon Airport to Pyeongchang will only take 69 minutes. The total length of the line is just under 70 miles with a budget of $3.3 billion.
During the Winter Olympics, the train will run 16 times a day, then less frequently after the Winter Olympics. The one-way fare will be around $22 to $26 depending on your end destination.
Weekly Update
‘Breezy Love’
Episodes 44 &45
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Deokcheon takes Daehoon to the hospital when Daehoon can’t seem to wake up. Mipoong goes to see Shinae after losing the store. Jango gets hit by a chair at Mipoong’s store and collapses.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jango befriends every woman, trying to make Mipoong jealous. Daehoon remembers Youngae and they finally get together. Deokcheon sees how Shinae really treats Daehoon when no one’s around.
‘Love Temperature’
Episodes 21 &22 (Monday); 23 &24 (Tuesday)
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-sun puts all his efforts in preparing Jung-woo’s proposal. He’s dumbfounded to see Hyun-soo with Jung-woo. Jung-sun asks Jung-woo if he knew Hyun-soo and himself were dating. Both men don’t intend to back down, and signal an all-out war over Hyun-soo.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Good Soup’s finances are on the chopping block, as it’s in the red. Jung-woo tells Jung-sun to let his employees go, and Jung-sun confronts him against it. Hyun-soo questions Jung-woo, if his actions are purely professional. Jung-woo warns Jung-sun that the fight has only begun, and to be prepared.
‘While You Were Sleeping’
Episodes 21 &22 (Wednesday); 23 &24 (Thursday)
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: In Hong-joo’s dream, Jae-chan faces yet another tough decision. Jae-chan recuperates at Hong-joo’s home. Moon-sun finds out Hong-joo and Jae-chan’s relationship from 13 years ago and gives Jae-chan the cold shoulder.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-chan is determined to simultaneously have the organ transplant and autopsy. Though he talked big, he has no confidence. Hong-joo tells Jae-chan that she dreamed he won the trial, then they go to the beach together.
‘Bravo My Life’
Episodes 5 &6 (Friday); 7 &8 (Saturday)
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: RaRa plans a comeback, but it doesn’t work out as she wishes. Do-na is frustrated by an unexplained feeling towards Bum-woo. RaRa tries her best to win her husband’s heart again.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Filming starts. Bum-woo does fine in the reading, but freezes up during actual filming, which upsets Do-na. RaRa is shocked to see her husband with Ha-young. RaRa faces harsh reality while trying to find a job. She goes to Dong-woo, and begs him for a part in his new drama.
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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.