One of the top concerns for all the South Korean networks is the issue of piracy. All major South Korean networks have branch offices in the U.S., and with the rise in popularity of hallyu, Korean programming content is pirated in many ways. Pirating takes away business from the networks that are broadcasting the content, from the production companies, the management companies of stars and ultimately the stars.

Theft of Korean drama DVD sets is a problem as well. The DVD sets are being stolen from large retailers and even from our mailbox at KBFD.

Networks are investigating the pirating schemes, which include people buying a drama series DVD, airing unauthorized broadcasts and making copies and selling them at a discount and businesses downloading dramas onto hard drives of new computers, as a sales incentive.

One business actually recorded an entire KBFD broadcast of English-subtitled dramas, poorly edited out local commercials and sold the recording on VHS tapes.

These types of pirating businesses don't last long, but as technologies advance, so do pirating techniques. When a business is shut down after legal action, another one opens up somewhere else and the process begins again.

When you buy an illegal copy of Korean content, you are supporting an illegal act and helping the promotion of the business. Pirated copies are known to have faults such as poor video quality, and subtitling (or even no subtitles), and/or missing scenes. You basically end up with what you pay for. Many people have been duped into buying pirated DVDs that are not compatible with U.S. players.

Please support Korean networks and your favorite stars by purchasing legal copies or watching network-authorized broadcasts.

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

Episodes 67 and 68

Tonight at 7.: Ilhan gets into a bar brawl and is taken to the police station. Michill passes out while working at the clinic. The doctor finds out why.

Tonight at 8: The family throws a farewell party for Seolchill. Myongja is worried sick about sending Seolchill to a dangerous place, and Yangpal tries to put her mind at ease with not much luck. Myongja notices Michill has a voracious appetite.

'SURGEON BONG'

Episodes 7 and 8

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Kun-wook praises Dal-hee when she makes a difficult diagnosis. Kun-wook still suspects Joong-geun could be Seung-min's biological son. Kun-wook suspects the new drug Dr. Suh has developed has serious side effects.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Dr. Ahn and Dal-hee are "exiled" to another hospital as a result of Dr. Ahn's presentation of the new drug at the symposium. Dr. Ahn insists on an emergency surgery for an AIDS patient — and something happens.

'QUEEN OF THE GAME'

Episodes 17 and 18

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Sin-jeon's mother goes to the hospital for alcoholism treatment. On her way out, she runs into Eun-seo's incapacitated father. She pushes him away, and he falls and dies. Eun-seol witnesses this.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-seol and Sin-jeon get back together. Eun-seol moves in with Sin-jeon and his mother — with ulterior motives.

'SNOW FLOWER'

Episodes 13 and 14

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Heartbroken over her visit to Gun-hee's house, Dami asks her father if he'd have come back to her mother and her if Kang-ae had waited.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Ji-sup tells Kang-ae she has a rare case of stomach cancer. Unable to believe Ji-sup, Kang-ae seeks a second opinion.