[K-Drama News] "Eyes of Dawn" English Forum (With Subforum for "Sandglass")

Many consider the groundbreaking Korean TV drama "Eyes of Dawn" to be the finest series ever broadcast on the peninsula. Created for MBC TV for 7.2 billion won and consisting of over 270 actors and some 30 thousand extras, the show was a major event when it aired in 1991. Producer Kim Jong Hak and writer Song Ji Na went on to produce "Sandglass" in 1995 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of Korea. "Sandglass," which was released on DVD with English subtitles a little over a year ago, immediately became one of my all-time favorites, one which I never suspected could be surpassed. "Eyes of Dawn," which was to have been released on DVD over one year ago, ran into technical difficulties, leading some to fear the drama would never materialize at all. So it must have come as quite a pleasant surprise to collectors when the reasonably priced box set was finally made available in December 2006. As I have only seen the first four episodes, it's still too soon to tell whether the program exceeds my expectations, but the story is engaging enough and is likely to appeal to anyone with an interest in the turbulent history of the divided nation. Viewers motivated to learn more about the show, the characters and the people and historical events that shaped Korea are invited to participate in the newly created English forum dedicated to both "Eyes of Dawn" and "Sandglass." Some of the topics covered include the notorious Unit 731, comfort women, the Syngman Rhee era, the Korean War and Korea under the Japanese and US occupations.