On a trip to South Korea last month, I was struck by how much the cost of living has increased there.

I have been visiting Korea for nearly 20 years now, and Seoul has changed in many ways, which is evident in the expanding skyline and, more dramatically, in rising prices.

K-drama fans often ask me for advice on shopping in Korea when they plan trips to visit drama filming locations or simply shop. Surprisingly, many locals still have the impression that South Korea is some Third World country, but that's not the case.

When I was in South Korea in 1989 for a year of study abroad, the country had just gotten over hosting the 1988 Olympics. There were deals if you went shopping, and the prices at restaurants were very affordable, even for a college student. Things have definitely changed.

Now, many people are focused on the high gasoline prices in Hawai'i. When I left for Korea in June, gas in Hawai'i was about $4.25 or so. While I was in Korea, a liter of gas was just about 2,000 won per liter. It takes 3.78 liters to equal one gallon, so a gallon of gas costs about $7.56. Calculating at an exchange rate of 1,000 won per U.S. dollar, filling up a luxury car's tank in South Korea can easily run over $200.

Eating beef in Korea's restaurants can get really expensive. When you watch Korean dramas, bosses or presidents of companies often treat their staffs when they meet quarterly goals. It is often joked that you can tell the company is doing well if the company dinner is at a beef restaurant. If not, the company will opt for pork grilled at the table, which is more affordable.

During my trip, a friend took me to a trendy restaurant in Kang Nam (south of the Han River). I was shocked to see that an order of sliced rib-eye was $55 for one serving, about eight ounces of meat at most. Compare that with a Korean restaurant in Hawai'i: Shillawon at 747 'Amana St. offers all-you-can-eat beef for $24.99 at dinner and $19.99 for lunch.

Sure, the restaurant in Korea invested in interior design, but as for beef quality, I can't tell much difference.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'HAPPINESS'

Tonight at 6:45: Happiness will be pre-empted by special programming, the Daejong Film Awards. Cheer for your favorite star in the prestigious competition.

'TOKYO SUN SHOWER'

EPISODE 1 OF 4 & EPISODE 2 OF 4

Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: Soo-jin is a rising star who's in Japan filming a commercial when she decides to run away for a day of freedom. Starving but with no money, she goes into a small sushi place and meets Hyun-soo. Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-soo's heart sinks when he finds out Soo-jin is a famous actress in Korea. Hyun-soo tries to let Soo-jin go, but she refuses to leave.

'ILJIMAE, THE PHANTOM THIEF'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Si-hu reconstructs exactly how Iljimae stole the wagon in everyone's awe. The street is covered with Iljimae's "wanted" posters and everyone's buzzing about the heroic thief. Yong rescues Eun-chae from a difficult situation. Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: Bong-sun tries to find the owner of the tiger claw trinket, and when Yong claims it as his, she's dumbfounded. She soon remembers Yong's the boy who rescued her years ago.

'AGE OF INNOCENCE'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Friday at 7:45 p.m.: Tae-seok, a high school senior, plays hooky while his friends are at school getting ready for the college entrance exam. Min-soo, sacrificing his precious time, goes out looking for his best friend. While running from Min-soo, Tae-seok finds a poster on a wall and rips it off, angering Ji-yoon, who's been putting it up. Saturday at 7:45 p.m.: Tae-seok, full of bad memories of his mom, is upset when he finds out his mother is back in the country preparing for an exhibition. Min-soo buys two tickets to the exhibition for himself and Ji-yoon, an aspiring artist. Ji-yoon runs into Tae-seok on her way to meet Min-soo, and the two spend the whole day together.

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.