MBC’s New Sitcom: `Kokkiri’

MBC will air a new sitcom named ``Kokkiri'' from Jan. 21.

While the title of the sitcom, ``Kokkiri'' means elephant in Korean, however, this is not a sitcom about elephants. Breaking down the word ``Ko'' means nose in Korean and ``kkiri'' means together, and the show depicts the lives of a group of characters in the sitcom having nicknames ending with ``ko.''

Kwon Hae-hyo plays Guk Yeong-su (Psy``ko''), a high school Korean language teacher. He is on bad terms with Ju Bok-man (Gae``ko''), played by Lee Byeong-jun, a high school student in his 40s and the landlord.

Ju's two sons and Guk's three daughters also live in Ju's house, and everyone becomes involved in various incidents and relationships, including romance.

Comedian-turned-actor Kim Kuk-jin will play a jobless tenant living in Ju's attic. His roommate, Ju's younger brother, played by Moon Se-yun, is a man of misfortune.

Joo Hyun and Kim Chang-sook, parents of the Ju brothers, will depict the life and loves of the aged.

``With this unique `ko' characters, `Kokkiri' will move the audience to laughter, especially focusing on paternal love,'' said Lee Min-ho, director of the sitcom, at a press conference.

MBC revived daily sitcoms in 2006 with ``High Kick!'' The sitcom was a phenomenal hit recording more than 25 percent ratings. Lee Soon-jae, who played the stern-looking but funny grandfather, won the 2007 MBC Entertainment Award.

However, the next sitcom, ``Kimchi, Cheese, Smile,'' which closes Friday, did not get the ratings of its predecessor. Some sitcom buffs loved ``Kimchi'' but the average ratings were much lower than ``High Kick!''

``Kokkiri'' will start airing at 8:20 p.m. from Monday to Friday.