Jeff Chung and KBFD TV took an unprecedented leap in the local Hawaii media and grabbed the opportunity to bring Korean and other Asian films and TV shows in to the Islands’ broadcast spectrum. With the introduction of subtitling, Asian programming has become even more popular, not only with Asian-Americans but also the whole community.
Chung’s family-run broadcast company started with hour-weekly broadcasts on KIKU-TV in 1976. Two years later, television broadcasts were increased to four hour weekly on the same channel. In 1986, under FCC license, KBFD TV became a full-powered UHF channel and Hawaii’s only locally-owned independent TV station.
Greater Good Radio brings Jeff Chung, president and general manager of KBFD TV; and vice president of The Asia Network, the first Korean cable network carried by cable systems in continental US. In this interview, Jeff talks about his role as chairman of the board of the Hawaii International Film Festival—being the first to be a leader of a major film festival outside of Korea that is of Korean ancestry. He also speaks of the role of the media, especially television, in shaping the society—and in his case, being able to provide for and influence the ethnic community in the State of Hawaii.
Listen now and discover more about Jeff Chung and his belief in the power of the media, and how he uses this power for the greater good of the society.
BIO:
Jeff Chung
Born in Seoul, Korea March 16th, 1968
Came to Hawaii in 1974
Graduated from Roosevelt High School; Student Body President 1986
BS degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon 1990
President & general Manager; KBFD TV privately held company: The only locally owned and operated television station in Hawaii. Channel 32 UHF and Channel 4 on Oceanic Cable. KBFD started broadcasting in March of 1986. Licensed by the FCC, KBFD is commonly known for the English subtitled dramas that boast a large non-Korean local following.
Vice President of TAN; The Asia Network; The first Korean Cable network carried by cable systems in continental US. Also privately owned by the Chung family.
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors: for the Hawaii International Film Festival 2005. HIFF celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005.
First to be a leader of a major film festival outside of Korea that is of Korean ancestry.
Intermediate Advisor: Board of Directors Oahu Country Club 2003 and 2005.
Fluent in Korean and English
Links:
KBFD
Listen on Youtube:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS