Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts. I really appreciate them, and goes to show how great a community FT really is.
So I'm taking off in the morning, and just checked, all of the 3 class non-stops are still full - KE is actually showing "sold out" - so no rev seats left even... two non-stops a day + the NRT connection and still full... go figure. I'll keep checking though. I did call KE and they said that the first few rows are controlled by the airport... sounded fishy to me, but whatever, I'll try and "work" it at the airport. The reservation agent said that the computer would only allow her to book row 7 and higher. I am Korean and speak it, so maybe that'll help me... we'll see, and I'll report back.
Thanks again for all your help, suggestions and kind thoughts.