The inaugural Michelin Guide for Seoul is out and 24 restaurants have been awarded. Seoul has been advancing in the culinary endeavor for years and two restaurants have been awarded three stars: Gaon and La Yeon; both serving Korean cuisine. Gaon’s owner, Chairman Tae Kwon Cho is a part-time Hawaii resident and his daughter, Lucia, president of Gaon and Bicena is a frequent visitor Hawaii. Lucia was just in Hawaii late October visiting local restaurants and also has been a guest chef of the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival in 2013 representing restaurant Bicena, which also received one Michelin star. The Cho family has been pioneering and elevating Korean cuisine and the four stars between the two restaurants is well-deserved. One interesting point that Cho emphasizes is that there is too much waste in Korean cuisine, especially with banchan, side dishes. Korean restaurants’ simply waste too much food and he believes the serving should be in smaller portions to which I completely agree. One can always ask for more banchan when needed.
‘Perfect Bride’
Episodes 3 &4
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Gab-soon agonizingly worries about her condition and decides to feel Gab-dol out. Nam Ki-ja starts work as a caretaker and faces trouble on the first day of the job. Today, 7:45 p.m.: Shin Mal-nyun compares Jae-soon’s second husband to her first, making Nae-shim upset. Gab-dol loses the bag with the rental money in a subway. Gab-dol rummages through things, and tries to find anything of value. As he’s doing so, his sister Da-hae walks in on him.
‘Scarlet Heart’
Episodes 15 &16
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Wang Yo ascends the throne with Mu’s (King Hye-jong’s) death. Wang Yo (now King Jung-jong) uses Wang Gyu’s insurgence to frame Wang Eun for treason. He orders Wang So to capture Wang Eun. Meanwhile, Wang Eun and Soon-duk takes refuge in Hae Soo’s room before leaving the palace. Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Wang Eun faces off with the army with Soon-duk at his side. Wang Eun begs King Jung-jong (formerly Wang Yo) to spare him, but he still aims his arrow at Wang Eun. Wang So is disappointed and hurt that Hae Soo kept quiet about Wang Eun’s hideout.
‘Don’t Dare To Dream’
Episodes 19 &20
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Na-ri has no reservation showing her jealousy at seeing Hwa-shin and Hye-won kissing. Hwa-shin is elated at seeing her jealous reaction. Meanwhile, Jung-won feels anxious for no reason at entering his empty house. Na-ri decides to accept her feelings for Hwa-shin. Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: At last, Hwa-shin and Na-ri open up to their feelings and embrace while sharing a passionate kiss. They regret all this wasted time, being alone and lonely, not realizing their true feelings. Na-ri sits anxiously with Hwa-shin as anchor, as they await an election ballot count.
‘Happy Home’
Episode 4 &5
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon is furious over being the only one kept in the dark about Se-ri and Man-ho’s relationship. Mi-soon seeks them out at the sauna they are staying at. Man-ho tells Mi-soon she’s neither a wife nor a woman to him. Ji-gun rescues Hae-ryung from a dangerous situation. Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon tells Sam-bong that Man-ho will never come home if Se-ri is kicked out. Hae-won runs into Kang-min as the new editor in chief.
By Jeff Chung, owner and operator of KBFD TV