We have been talking about Hallyu, the Korean TV drama wave that's been sweeping Asia and Hawai'i. Korean broadcasting in Hawai'i dates to 1976, when KIKU (now KHNL) aired Korean KBS news in black and white on Saturday mornings. KBFD launched in 1986 — it celebrates its 20th birthday this month — and subtitled dramas started showing in 1989.

But how is Hallyu doing in the other 49 states? On the Mainland, Koreans live primarily on the West and East coasts. California has the country's largest Korean population. Southern California is home to more than 500,000 Koreans, nearly 10 times the number of Koreans in Hawai'i. The second-largest Korean population of 300,000 Koreans is in the New York-New Jersey area. There are an estimated 1.5 million Koreans in the U.S.

In Los Angeles, several Korean broadcasters represent a single South Korean network — SBS, KBS or MBC. Some channels, which lease time from a TV station, broadcast only two to three hours a day. Los Angeles is the second-largest television market in the U.S., and to purchase a station in this market costs $160 million and up. New York is the top television market, and stations there cost in excess of $200 million.

With station costs so high, running a Korean channel is not always profitable. The most common business model for Korean broadcasters is leasing time from either a television station or a cable channel. But that means prime slots may not be available unless the Korean broadcaster is willing to pay a premium.

Korean broadcasters in the U.S. sometimes operate as cable pay channels.

With limited daily Korean programming on the Mainland, Hallyu has yet to crest there.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises K-dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or write jeffchung @kbfd.com.

MONEY WOES FOR IL-HO FOOD IN 'TEARS'

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 51 AND 52

Tonight at 7:50: Hae-sun promises Yeon-shim she'll never show herself in front of Jung-woo. Il-ho Food suffers serious financial difficulties after the accident. Il-ho asks Chairman Kim for help. Yeo-jin decides not to leave when she finds out her father is in trouble.

Tonight at 8: Geum-sil asks Hae-sun to forgive her son, and Do-jin asks Jung-woo to talk to Hae-sun for his father. Yeon-sim invites Hae-sun to Jung-woo's and Seo-young's engagement party. Tae-bok decides to help Il-ho for Min-joo's sake.

'MY GIRL'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Monday at 7:50 p.m.: When the chairman insists on talking to Yoo-rin's adoptive father, Gong-chan calls Yoo-rin and Yoo-rin asks Jin-kyu to pretend to be her father. She tells Jin-kyu and Jin-sim that she's posing as an imposter. Jin-kyu sees Yoo-rin's father homeless at a train station. Sae-hyun comes to Gong-chan's house on Yoo-rin's birthday.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-woo confronts Yoo-rin about her feelings for Gong-chan. She denies it. Yoo-rin realizes she likes Gong-chan. When Yoo-rin's father assaults a man, Yoo-rin sells the jewelry she got from Gong-chan's family on her birthday to settle with the victim.

'KNOCKED OUT BY LOVE'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-seok is shocked when Bok-gu tells her Min-gu is his brother. Bok-gu struggles with his feelings for Eun-seok now that he's gotten his revenge. Bok-gu finds out Da-jung blackmailed Eun-seok for money.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Feeling guilty, Bok-gu moves Min-gu to another room to let Eun-seok leave. Hurt, Eun-seok gets into an argument on the street and is arrested. Joon-sung realizes he still loves Eun-seok, and asks her to come back to him. Min-gu starts to recover.

'THE PALACE'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-kyong starts her training to be the crown princess, but nothing comes easy to her. Shin shows her no compassion.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Soon after the wedding, Shin and the elders argue over the conditions of his marriage. Chae-kyong is excited about her new surroundings. On the first day back in school after the wedding, students shun Chae-kyong but find comfort in new student Yool.