The 12th Pusan International Film Festival was another big hit this year with many premieres, and of course, Korean celebrities. The lobbies of hotels in the Haeundae, Pusan, were filled with fans from Japan waiting all day to get a glimpse of their favorite stars. I had meetings with many filmmakers and other delegates to promote the Hawai'i International Film Festival and the Islands.

Here are some of the updates from Pusan.

We confirmed that hallyu star Ju Jin Mo and director Kwak Kyung Taek will come to the HIFF to make an appearance at the international premiere of "A Love," screening at the Hawai'i Theatre on Oct. 24. Ju Jin Mo is expected to arrive after the opening weekend of HIFF, either on Oct. 22 or 23 (the festival is Oct. 18-28), along with director Kwak and entourage. I had the pleasure of attending an advance screening of "A Love" and met the stars Ju Jin Mo, Park Shi Yeon and the director at a Tae Won Entertainment event on Oct. 7. Tae Won Entertainment is the production company that produced "A Love." Also at the event were Hawai'i's favorite, Jung Joon Ho, and director Yun Jee Gyun, who worked with Jung on the hit movie "My Boss My Hero."

Ju Jin Mo and Kwak are both looking forward to coming to Hawai'i for the HIFF. This visit will be their first to the Islands. For Ju Jin Mo, it is his first film festival outside South Korea. Ju's filming and appearance schedule has been hectic the last few years, keeping him from making trips. His trip to Hawai'i will be both to promote "A Love" and to get some down time. Interestingly, director Kwak's first hit movie "Friend" ("Ching-goo"), starring Jang Dong Gun, includes a line in the movie "you go to Hawai'i." I had to ask the director why, of all places, Hawai'i? Kwak told me that at the time, gangsters who were expelled from South Korea or on the run often came to Hawai'i until matters settled down back home.

Kwak also mentioned that it would be great to film in Hawai'i in the future. The director believes the Islands have much scenic diversity and, as well, that their ties to South Korea make the idea feasible. Kwak is one of South Korea's most sought-after directors, and top hallyu stars wait in line for their chance to work with him.

Actor Jung Joon Ho is in a new American-produced film, "West 32nd," about Korean-Americans in New York's Koreatown. Jung, who shares the same Korean name with me, is a frequent visitor to Honolulu and has an interest in a Waikiki hotel. The well-polished veteran of the film industry wants to make a visit to Honolulu for the HIFF this year, schedule permitting, to help promote "West 32nd."

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'BRIDE FROM VIETNAM,' EPISODES 9 AND 10

Tonight at 7: Jin-ju asks her mother to send more clues to find her father, and the mother sends his last known address in South Korea. Sung-il decides to hire Ji-young, but Young-min begs him to reconsider. When Wu-nam has trouble retaining his employees at the factory, Jin-ju volunteers to help out. Tonight at 8: Jin-ju and Jun-wu trace her father's old address only to find that the store no longer exists. Jun-wu decides to post her story on a Web site to make their search for Jin-ju's father easier. Young-min adamantly opposes Ji-young's working.

'KANGNAM MOM,' 17 AND 18

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Soo-mi's family is having a hard time coping with Chang-hoon's death. His death helps people reflect on their behaviors and brings them closer together. The school plans to let Mr. Kim go. Sang-won feels the need to fight on behalf of Mr. Kim. Tuesday at 7:50 p.m. (final episode): The students and their moms come together to fight on behalf of Mr. Kim. Soo-mi decides to move with her husband. Everybody settles and finds their place as the series ends.

'THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR,' 13 AND 14

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Joon-suk tells Hye-mi that he'll marry her if she accepts his relationship with Yoon-hee. Soo-chan has a hard time at work when everyone finds out about his past and excludes him. The murder case of Yun Soo-yun slowly unfolds. Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Many secrets are revealed about J Corp., which gives clues to the murder case. Soo-chan learns that Go-ni is not his son. Hye-mi is visited by her former lover's sister, who questions about her missing brother.

'KARL & SU-JUNG,' 9 AND 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Su-jung boasts to Young-ae and Pil-sook about Woo-tak's proposal. Young-ae tells her to be wary of him. Man-su's first attempt at marriage with Su-jung makes headlines. Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Su-jung professes her love for Man-su, but he just congratulates her on her upcoming marriage, telling her that a person can't live on love alone. Su-jung goes on an eating binge after her encounter with Man-su — with drastic results.