If you have attended local Korean festivals or have seen Korean folk music played in historical dramas, and even in movies such as "King and the Clown," you have likely been exposed to what is called Samulnori, which literally means four objects and play.

The Jang-gu (drum in an hourglass shape), Buk (a bass drum held on its side), Jing (a large gong) and Kweng-gwari (a smaller gong) comprise the Samulnori — a high-intensity percussion ensemble.

The four instruments used in Samulnori represent different natural elements. Jang-gu represents rain; Kweng-gwari, thunder; Buk, cloud; and Jing, wind. Samulnori has roots in Nong-ak or literally "farmers' music" and therefore the instruments reflect the elements that are important for raising crops.

You will have a chance to see disciples of the legendary Kim Duk Soo Samulnori group perform next month in a group called "SamulGwangDae."

The members of SamulGwangDae have known one another most of their lives. While in high school, they (Kim Han Bok, Park Anji, Shin Chan Sun and Jang Hyun Jin) were given their group name.

In 1988, they joined Kim Duk Soo's SamulNori Hanullim. (Hanullim means "big bang.") They were the first disciples of that original group.

The SamulGwangDae team has systematically learned and transmitted Samulnori from its teachers, and has performed worldwide. In its Hawai'i performance, the group will also be joined by guest artist Lee Dong Ju, also a former member of SamulNori Hanullim and a master of the sangmo (short streamer hat).

SamulGwangDae will showcase the rhythm and beauty of traditional Korean music during a performance set for 7:30 p.m. July 19 at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kennedy Theatre. On stage, the ensemble's musicians and dancers present a blend of Korea's traditional farmers' band music and shamanistic ceremonies with its own modern compositions.

Tickets are $10 to $30, and available at www.etickethawaii.com, Rainbowtique, UH-Manoa Campus Center or Stan Sheriff Center, WCC OCET Office, or by calling the Stan Sheriff Events Line at 944-2697. For more information, visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/community or call 956-8246.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'HAPPINESS'

EPISODE 18

Tonight, 6:30 p.m.: Rumors spread of SJ company going bankrupt. HK company's chairman refuses to meet Chairman Park. The Park family is desperate to find anybody who can help them. Seo-yun persistently tries to talk to Chairman and Mrs. HK to save her father's company.

'SCARY GIRL'

EPISODES 105, 106

Tonight, 7:45 p.m.: Eun-ae urges Kyong-pyo to go see Young-rim in her sorry state. Jung-jin tells Kyong-pyo Young-rim's misfortune will make Eun-ae happier. Kidnapped Young-rim demands to see Chairman Yang, and tries to escape.

EPISODES 107, 108 AND 109, 110

Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-rim turns in her resignation and goes away without telling anyone where she's going, and Chairman Baek's family celebrates the resignation. Chairman Yang and Joon-chul are worried when they learn about Young-rim's disappearance. Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Kyung-pyo tells Chairman Yang's wife Young-rim won't attack if she's not provoked. Young-rim goes to see Chairman Baek at his house and says she wants to build a kindergarten.

'LOVE'

EPISODES 7 AND 8

Tomorrow, 7:45 p.m.: Young-hee and Chul-soo go to her parents' place in Gapyeong to get their blessing, but Min-ho shows up and complicates matters. Byung-ho and the other Young-hee continue their legal battle. Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: The girls go to a host bar to get back at the guys for partying at a hostess bar. But the bar turns out to be an illegal operation and is raided. Chul-soo's mother insists he take art lessons from Ah-young with the hopes something will develop between the two.

'ON AIR'

EPISODES 21 AND 22 (FINAL EPISODE)

Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Young-eun wants to re-shoot the ending scene of the drama despite everyone's opposition, but finally wins over Kyong-min and Seung-ah's support. Sang-woo tells Ki-joon to remain a competent manager to Seung-ah. Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Seung-ah goes looking for Ki-joon when he doesn't answer his phone. Ki-joon bids farewell to Young-eun. Kyong-min tells his mother about Young-eun. Seung-ah hears about Ki-joon's departure and rushes to the airport.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles in Hawai'i. You can reach him for comment at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.