With the addition of this new channel, Starhub now has 5 South Korean TV channels - KBS World (Ch 115), ONE TV Asia (Ch 820/823), Channel M Asia (Ch 824), KMTV (Ch 846) and the new Oh!K channel (Ch 816).
Oh!K is a free channel when customers subscribe to Basic Chinese Entertainment HD Upsize Group or other packages which contain Oh!K, including the Dynasty HD Pack, Malay Pack or Indian Pack from Starhub, catering to other races as well. Oh!K previously had its free preview on Starhub from 20 October 2014 to 11 November 2014.
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| Oh!K Channel Logo (Source: www.onscreenasia.com) |
In my opinion, I have been waiting for a channel which specialised in broadcasting MBC programs for a very long time, around 4 to 5 years. I was wondering why MBC took a long time? Previously, to watch MBC program, I'll have to go to the internet to watch especially Infinity Challenge or on free to air channels and other cable channels for MBC dramas. I'm not saying that it is troublesome but seriously does MBC not want to work with other operators to have their own channel outside South Korea? Finally, as I heard news about the new channel, without a second thought, it must be from MBC. And I was correct when I got more information about the new channel on the Internet and newspapers.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch it at home during the free preview period because unlike KBS World, ONE and Channel M Asia, it is the only channel that ONLY airs in HD (High Definition) feed, meaning if you only subscribe to basic channel packs along with a normal set top box, you cannot receive that channel (even though there's sound). That really made me disappointed as I thought I could watch all 3 broadcasters from South Korea. So, during the weekends at my Grandmother's house, I watched the free preview as they have the Hubstation HD (the black-coloured one).
During that free preview period, I was even more disappointed about the channel. I know the channel was here not a few days ago but when they are airing in HD, shouldn't they provide multi-language subtitles instead of dual-language subtitles? One thing I notice during that period was I could see English subtitles below and Chinese subtitles above it but there are not appearing simultaneously, meaning that the Chinese appeared slower than English. Some HD channels like ONE or Channel 8 will provide viewers to change subtitles so that's the reason I believe Oh!K channel would have it but unfortunately, no.
Well, other than the subtitles, the sound quality was another issue. Oh!K previously provided dual sound, Korean or Chinese. During the free preview period, it was hard to hear what they were saying when it's in Korean but when it's changed to Chinese, it became very loud that made other people awake. So from that free preview, I felt that they could really improve and benefit.
After the free preview period, I still managed to watch it at my Grandmother's house because I believe they have subscribed the HD pack. I continued to watch it during the weekends until 28 December 2014 when I finally got to watch it at home after changing the Hubstation (the silver-coloured one) to the HD Interactive Set Top Box.
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| Screen Capture of Oh!K Channel (Source: http://www.starhubtvanywhere.com/tvanywhere/watchchannel/816/oh-k) |
The issues that I have stated during the free preview period have already resolved after I got the channel. They have multi-language subtitles since late December 2014 where audience can choose English, Chinese, Malay or even no subtitles and audience can also choose to listen in Korean audio, Chinese audio or Malay audio as well.
Now to the content. The content is much similar to ONE, with many dramas but lesser variety programs. However, the delivery of the content in Oh!K is much faster as compared to other channels.
For example, latest MBC dramas can be seen within 24 hours on Oh!K (Only applicable to Monday-Tuesday dramas) as compared to 2 weeks (4 episodes) for KBS World or a month (8 episodes) for ONE. Latest episodes of selected variety shows like Infinity Challenge, Show! Music Core and Dad, Where are you Going? (now on hiatus) can be seen on Oh!K 1 week after Korea's broadcast, which is already considered the fastest as compared to 3 weeks for KBS World or 2 weeks for ONE.
Other dramas which are still ongoing are also aired on Oh!K. Some are in original audio while the others are available in Chinese and Malay. For example, Legendary Witches which first aired in October 2014 and Rosy Lovers which also first aired in October 2014 were shown on Oh!K 2 months after Korea's broadcast.
The + points:
Faster delivery contents make the channel very unique to watch but there's also a risk where the show could stop airing due to some live events. Previously, Pride and Prejudice have stopped airing a few times due to football games and live award ceremonies.
The openings of most shows are left in which I like to see it because those are rare to see when you are watching it via the internet. It is also considered rare as ONE rarely show openings for most programs like the latest Korean dramas and variety shows.
The - points:
Many shows did not start and end at the exact timing as provided on the TV guide. As a result, when I wanted to record some programs, I may not be able to watch the whole show.
Overall, it is still worth to watch Oh!K so not just an OK rating but excellent.
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