Who says happy endings are only found in Korean dramas? Hawaii International Film Festival guest Lee Jun-ki ("May 18," "My Girl," "Fly Daddy Fly") flew to Los Angeles on Monday morning, leaving his Hawai'i fans very happy with many personal photo opportunities and autographs at the Honolulu International Airport.

There was some controversy when he arrived Oct. 17. Fans had been waiting since 8 a.m. when his Korean Air flight arrived at 10:10 a.m. The many eager fans — not only from Hawai'i but from Japan, Singapore, Canada and Los Angeles as well — sighed each time an exiting passenger turned out to be, well, just another tourist. Then all of a sudden Mayor Mufi Hannemann walked out. Fans gave him a warm welcome, but with all the Lee Jun-ki posters and T-shirts, the mayor quickly realized that they were not there for him.

Finally at around 11 a.m. Lee appeared. Due to miscommunication, the bodyguards hurried him away into his waiting limo. This left the fans extremely disappointed, angry and wanting to vent. After waiting for several hours at the airport on a weekday, I can understand their reaction.

But there was redemption. Lee spent time with fans at the airport before he departed, signing autographs, posing with fans for photographs and even took a group photo. The fans were happy and supportive of HIFF.

Lee was concerned about the negative press he got in Hawai'i and wanted to make up for what happened at the airport. He appreciated all of his fans and wanted to show his aloha on his first visit to the U.S.

Typically, when stars are invited to the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival, it's to promote a film and to meet other delegates.

In Asia, any event that involves autograph signing or a fan meeting guarantees the star an appearance fee, so HIFF does its best to keep things industry-related.

The best opportunities for fans to see their favorite stars are at the screenings where, if they're lucky, they will get an autograph or a photo opportunity. Fans also might run into stars around town, and those are the best times to get an autograph. Smaller groups of fans have the best chance at access to a star, versus a large crowd that can easily become out of control. My advice is to eat at Korean restaurants and go to shopping areas — where the stars are most likely to visit.

I had many opportunities to meet and dine with Lee Jun-ki, who got HIFF's Rising Star Award. He is a down-to-earth guy once you get to know him. He spent his leisure time in Hawai'i riding personal watercraft and hanging out at the beach. He enjoyed cruising around town in a rented Corvette convertible (and ended up with a golfer's tan as he forgot to apply sunblock). He attended a costume party at Aloha Tower Marketplace and checked out some dance clubs.

Lee and his management team are on the Mainland for additional downtime before he starts his new project in November back in South Korea. The airport security and customs agents were helpful and assisted getting Lee through a private door for security. As Lee and staff were leaving, his last words to HIFF executive director Chuck Boller were "Invite us back!" Aloha and mahalo, Lee Jun-ki.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'BRIDE FROM VIETNAM,'

EPISODES 23 AND 24

Tonight at 7: Ms. Huh rejects Ji-young's idea of selling rice cakes with her name on it. Jin-ju finds out Yeon-ki's father had worked in Ho Chi Minh. Jun-wu has a nightmare on the day of his job interview.

Tonight at 8: Jun-wu gets a call from a TV station, and decides to go on the air with Jin-ju despite his mother's disapproval. Jin-ju's story is broadcast, and she gets a call from a lady who had sent money to her in Vietnam. Sung-il balks at Young-min's idea of building a factory.

'KING & I,'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Cheo-sun rescues snake-bitten So-hwa from rapid waters. Instead of thanking Cheo-sun, So-hwa's father chides him for ignoring proper protocols. Jo Chi-gyeom asks retired eunuchs to give up the bribes they had taken.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: King Yejong takes a sword to Chi-gyeom's neck in front of frightened Cheo-sun and the prince. The queen mother orders him to put his sword away, but the king insists he must punish an insolent eunuch.

'THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR,'

EPISODES 17 AND 18

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Joon-suk discovers his father's will and learns about his half-sibling. Joon-suk's mother meets Yoon-hee's mother and offers her to give compensation if Yoon-hee would stop seeing her son. Yoon-hee's mother feels humiliated and wants to end their relationship.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Joon-suk's mother confesses that she was involved in Yun Soo-yun's murder. Mi-hee decides to marry Duk-gil. Joon-suk finally meets Go-ni.

'KARL AND SU-JUNG,'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Su-jung is in anguish when she finds out Man-su has been deceiving her. Dae-soon tells Man-su to give Su-jung time alone. Young-ae leaves her husband, and moves in with Su-jung. Woo-tak asks Su-jung to start over as friends.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: When Man-su doesn't show up at the airport, his father and Seung-gyu go to Su-jung's. Man-su's father gets into an argument with Su-jung's mother, and Man-su takes his father away in despair. Man-su gets drunk and calls Su-jung, and some-one else answers the phone.