What to Watch on South Korean TV This August: Sputnik's Three to Stay in For

With COVID-19 still wreaking havoc outside, a lot of us will be continuing to shelter indoors. Fortunately, this August South Korean television is providing a veritable cornucopia of rich pickings to enjoy in the comfort of your home and help you to forget the pandemic outside.

• Police University

First on our list is Police University, which will be aired on 9 August. Ex-detective Yoo Dong-man (Cha Tae-Hyun) has clocked up 20 years' experience in the violent crimes and cybercrimes division and now is a professor at the Police University.

One of his students at the university is Oh Kang-hee (a real treat for K-Pop fans as she is played by none other than Krystal from girl-band f(x)), an ambitious rookie who has wanted to be in the police ever since she was a child: while all the other girls used to rhapsodise about Disney princess cartoons and pink dolls, she could be found taking judo lessons and at night she would dream of getting a pair of handcuffs for her birthday.

Kang Sun-ho (Jin-young from K-Pop boy-band B1A4) is also a first-year student at the Police University. He is a former genius hacker but makes a new friend in Dong-man and falls in love with Kang-hee.

• Lovers of the Red Sky

This historical fantasy drama is based on the novel of the same name written by Jung Eun-gwol and has 16 episodes. It will start airing on 23 August.

Hong Cheon-gi (Kim Yoo-jung), Joseon's only female painter, was born blind but miraculously regained sight. She falls in love with the blind astrologer Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop), who can read the stars despite not being able to see.

Previous works of the author Jung Eun-gwol have been successfully adapted into dramas that became hits, such as 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal' and 'The Moon that Embraces the Sun'.

• Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

All fans of famous actress Shin Min-ah and actor Kim Seon-ho will be on the edge of their seat as they wait to see the new TV-series 'Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha', which will start airing on 28 August.

The remake of the 2004 film 'Mr. Hong' tells the story of Hong Doo-shik (Kim Seon-ho) who ekes out a living through all sorts of odd jobs, knows everything and is streetwise. He is also a local hero who helps people whenever they need him and will only accept the minimum wage, regardless of the task. He is also very light-hearted with everyone - regardless of age.

Into his life strides the stunning Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-ah) - a dentist who opens a clinic in a small town and is a beautiful and intelligent woman. 

Despite the total differences between them, the two main characters fall inexorably in love and explore their boundaries and the ability to love each other.