The buzz around town is that the Hawaii International Film Festival was a great success this year. Many factors contributed to the success: supportive sponsors, members, volunteers, staff, programming and those who worked behind the scenes. The Korean celebrities brought a lot of attention to the festival as hallyu fans were eager to see stars for the price of a movie ticket. With help from Korean Air and KBFD, HIFF was able to bring a veteran actor, Ju Jin-mo, and one of South Korea's top directors, Kwak Kyung-taek, to the Islands this year. Accompanying them was the international premiere of "A Love," a gangster love story that has a little of "Romeo and Juliet" mixed with "A Bittersweet Life" rolled into a tear-jerker.

Ju arrived on Oct. 24, and as with Lee Jun-ki, fans — not just from Hawai'i but all over — awaited him at Honolulu International Airport. But he and his entourage exited on the tour side while we were all waiting at the opposite exit. Fortunately, an airport employee clued me in and we all rushed to the group exit area, where we found our guest.

While waiting for the limousine, Ju graciously signed autographs and posed for photos with fans. After checking into the Halekulani, Ju prepared to make his appearance at the screening of "A Love" the Hawai'i Theatre later that night. Fans started waiting in line at 11 a.m. for the 7 p.m. show. Those early die-hard fans got their chance to get photographs and autographs.

The star appeared very cool and genuine, seeming sincerely appreciative of those aware of his work in TV series and movies. After the hit movie "200 Pound Beauty," it was important for him to follow up with another hit, so he and the filmmakers were happy about receiving HIFF'S Audience Choice Award for "A Love."

The actor left Monday, having extended his trip by a day. Fans grouped at the airport Sunday were disappointed, but many came back on Monday to send Ju off with candies and all sorts of snacks that had to be boxed and shipped. There were more autographs and pictures with fans.

My personal experience with Ju was a memorable one. I first met him at the Pusan International Film Festival through a film industry executive, and we exchanged a few words about Hawai'i.

Ju and his manager of nine years, Shin Byeong-kuk, make a great team. In my experience, some big-name stars are always looking to be served or asking for something but Ju and his manager are the complete opposite. They absolutely did not want to impose on anyone, and the way they greeted the many fans at different places around town was professional and warm-hearted.

Ju told me that he already loves Hawai'i and was happy that he finally made it out here and wants to return. His new TV series will launch in January in South Korea on the SBS network. The series, "Bichunmoo," actually was produced in 2004 but is airing in 2008.

Most of the South Korean networks will have TV coverage of HIFF this week. With such exposure, and HIFF's marketing efforts in Korea, we will continue to see more K-drama celebrities here — joining the list that includes Lee Byung-hun, Ha Ji-won, Shin Hyun-joon, Tak Jae-hoon, Song Kang-ho, Lee Jun-ki and, most recetly, Ju Jin-mo.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'BRIDE FROM VIETNAM,'

EPISODES 25 AND 26

Tonight at 7: Jin-ju is shocked to learn that her father may have worked at Yewon. Jin-ju and Jun-wu assume that Yeon-ki's father is Jin-ju's father, and tell Ms. Huh. However, Yeon-ki denies it's his father in the picture Jin-ju shows him. Tonight at 8: Jin-ju's hope of finding her dad is renewed when she gets a call from her mom, saying the man in the picture is her father's friend. In-kyong tells Young-min that Ji-young's dream has always been to become a CEO of a company, and is disappointed by his ambitious wife.

'KING & I,'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: So-hwa can't believe her father was accused of treason. Chuh-sun consoles her, saying the king will clear his name. Chi-gyeom's attempt at getting his position back seems like an uphill battle. Koh Dong-sun sends an assassin to Chi-gyeom, but the attempt on his life fails. Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Chi-gyeom is reinstated. Chi-gyeom asks the old eunuch why he chose him as his adopted son, and he says he needed an ambitious man who would bring prosperity to his family. Chuh-suh rescues So-hwa from a group of eunuchs' wives on his way to deliver a letter to Chi-gyeom.

'THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR,'

EPISODES 19 AND 20 (LAST EPISODES)

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Chairman Yoo dies. Joon-suk discovers that Go-ni actually is his half-brother. Joon-suk's mother has Alzheimer's, which makes him hesitate about going forth with Yoon-hee. Soo-chan has an idea of what happened to Hye-mi's ex-lover in Cambodia. Joon-suk breaks up with Yoon-hee. Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Soo-chan plays a big part in solving the murder case. Mr. Byun turns himself in, Joon-suk's mother commits suicide, and Mr. Ko and Hye-mi are arrested. Yoon-hee and Joon-suk end up together. Soo-chan leaves for America.

'KARL & SUJUNG,"

EPISODES 15 AND 16 (LAST EPISODES)

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: When Man-su finds out Su-jung is using his old cell phone, he decides to enter a tournament in Korea. Su-jung goes to see a buyer at a home shopping network and is shocked to find Dae-soon there. Man-su returns to Korea only to find out he's become a has-been. Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Karl asks Su-jung to marry him again, but Su-jung tells him she'll marry him only if he wins the tournament. Su-jung finds out Dae-soon got a job at the home shopping network because she won a jewelry design contest with the necklace design she stole from Su-jung.