Ji-hyun Jun aka Gianna Jun is back on the small screen in “Legend of the Blue Sea” and she’s got the Midas touch to promote luxury brands along with her costar Min Ho Lee. Gianna, in her previous hit drama,
Ji-hyun Jun aka Gianna Jun is back on the small screen in “Legend of the Blue Sea” and she’s got the Midas touch to promote luxury brands along with her costar Min Ho Lee. Gianna, in her previous hit drama, “My Love From the Star,” literally changed the fried chicken and beer industry in South Korea and China from just one scene during winter that fried chicken and beer is the best combination.
Now in Legends of the Blue Sea, Gianna plays a mermaid with human legs while on land, has product placement clients lined up. Just in the first week, Manolo Blahnik green Hangisi shoes got some limelight on her feet while Min Ho Lee was sporting a luxury brand watch Breguet Tradition model in gold on his wrist.
Product placement in K-Dramas is nothing new as many products are indirectly promoted in scenes from the latest mobile phones, cars and clothing, for example.
Product placement helps producers offset expenses and also foreign location filming cities and towns supports production with incentives as popular dramas will result in a big tourist boom for that area.
upcoming episodes ‘Perfect Bride’
Episodes 13 & 14
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Gab-dol moves in to a temple to concentrate on his studies. His friend visits with news of Gab-soon and he’s furious at Gab-soon’s unbelievable behavior. Jae-soon keeps her hurt feelings to herself when her stepdaughters meet their mother. Joong-nyun’s concern rises as he sees Jae-soon in that state.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Grandfather Bong feels empty and lonely when Ki-ja stops coming to the house. He decides to visit her, using her cooking as an excuse. After hearing about Gab-soon, Gab-dol decides to handle the matter himself and returns home.
‘Dr. Romantic’
Episodes 5 & 6
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: At last, Dong-joo meets Dr. Bu Yong-joo. Dong-joo confirms with Gi-tae that Teacher Kim is actually Bu Yong-joo. Yoon-wan advised Hyun-chul to use Dong-joo to his advantage and he sets out to visit Doldam Hospital with In-soo and In-bum.
Tuesday, 7:45p.m.: At Doldam Hospital, Dong-joo is visited by staff from the big hospital. Hyun-chul speaks negatively about Teacher Kim, which confuses Dong-joo. An emergency patient arrives at Doldam Hospital, when both Teacher Kim and Dong-joo are absent. After much debate, Seo-jung decides to do the surgery.
‘Legend of the Blue Sea’
Episodes 5 & 6
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Joon-jae is surprised at his indescribable feelings toward Shim-chung (mermaid’s new name). He warns Shim-chung that unless she tells him what happened in Spain by the next day, she will be kicked out of the house. Shim-chung falls asleep, in hopes tomorrow will never come. Chi-hyun witnesses Seo-hee talking on the phone, looking awfully suspicious.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Joon-jae panics at seeing Shim-chung at the ER, looking pale and weak. Chi-hyun is questioned at the hospital. Chi-hyun tells Joon-jae that it was an accident. Mr. Nam finds a black box in the Chairman’s car.
‘Happy Home’
Episode 14 & 15
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Hae-ryung sees Hyun-ki and Young-eun together and heads for Eun-young’s house. Mi-soon goes to the TV station at the request for an appearance. Man-ho visits Se-ri at the hospital.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-ki’s mother tells Hyun-ki she’ll help with the divorce process, but Hyun-ki tells her he’ll be moving out. Ji-gun looks after Hae-ryung, who has collapsed.
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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.
