Korean drama and movie star Jung Joon Ho will be in Honolulu in October with friends such as singer Park Sang Min to help raise money to build a Korean Cultural Center.

Jung, who has appeared in more than nine dramas and 18 films, has been a frequent visitor to Hawai'i and has real estate investment interests locally as well. A veteran of Korean film and drama, Jung has been known for his contributions to the community. In February 2006, he made an unpaid appearance with Kim Min Jung ("Fashion 70's") in an Andre Kim fashion show to benefit the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's apparel product design program.

The top two agendas of the Korean community in Hawai'i are the Korean visa waiver program — which could help boost the local economy — and the building of the Korean Cultural Center. Although the Korean community here dates back to 1903, there is no central place where people can gather. Funding and building the Korean Cultural Center has been the primary focus for the local Korean community for more than 10 years.

The fundraiser will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom on Oct. 23. The event seating will be at a maximum of 500 people with three different price levels: $300 for VIP, $200 and $150.

Eight guests will be coming from South Korea along with their managers and assistants for this event. By bringing in several stars and limiting seating, the event is not expected to net a great deal of money on its own, but the Korean Cultural Center committee is hoping the guests will make spontaneous monetary donations that evening. A similar event last year had raised an unexpected amount on event night from spontaneous donors. Jung has a local fan club in Honolulu, and fans are sure to support him in the upcoming event in October.

I have met Jung Joon Ho, who coincidentally shares the same Korean name as I do, on several occasions both in Hawai'i and in Pusan during the film festival. He has a great relationship with people in the industry and is very polished, but still manages to be a down-to-earth kind of guy.

One interesting fact that I had learned is that Jung was a potential candidate for the Korean blockbuster film "Friends (Chin-goo)" starring Jang Dong Gun and Yu Oh Sung. But because of other commitments, Jung could not take part in the film, according to the director of the film.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'HAPPINESS'

.Episodes 31 and 32

Tonight at 6:45: Seo-yun comforts Sae-young by staying at her house. Chairman Park puts Jun-su in charge of the new resort project team. Using attorneys, Sang-wook looks into getting custody of Sa-rang.

Tonight at 7:45: When Yong-jae tries to surprise Ji-sook with a proposal, he discovers Ji-sook and Sang-wook together. Ha-kyong confides in Sae-young about the trouble in her marriage. Chairman Park and Sae-young are stunned at the fact that Sang-wook has a son with Ji-sook.

'BEST CHEF'

Episodes 7 and 8

Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: Bong-joo and Sung-chan have an accidental encounter. Chef Oh is bedridden as Bong-joo's business-oriented ambition enters Woonam in a beef provision competition. Sung-chan challenges the boss of a (what seems to be) gang to a game of blindfolded tasting.

Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.: Sung-chan guesses the last part of the beef wrong. However, swordsman Kang reveals that there was an error in the way the meat was butchered. Chairman Suh admits defeat. Woonam, whose funding heavily depends on chairman Jang, is desperate to win the beef provision competition.

'ILJIMAE, THE PHANTOM THIEF'

Episodes 19 and 20 (Final Episode)

Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Chun raises his sword to kill Si-hu, who betrayed him, but the two are interrupted by a report of Iljimae's appearance. Yong approaches Si-wan for information on palace guards. Lord Byun tells Si-hu about his mother before he leaves for Jeju.

Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: Iljimae successfully penetrates the palace with help of his friends. He finally uncovers the secret of the insignia on the sword that killed his father, and finds out that the king is his uncle, and that he killed his father. Si-hu finally tells Yong that he's also Yi Won-ho's son, and comes to Yong's aid.

'DAYS OF INNOCENCE'

Episodes 11 and 12

Friday at 7:45pm; Ji-yoon and Tae-seok come back to Seoul and spend a cozy time together. Afraid he'll lose Ji-yoon, Dong-hwa forges on ahead with the engagement. Yoon-hae, pressured by Young-hee's feelings, breaks up with him. Enraged over Dong-hwa's determination to marry Ji-yoon, Chairman Yoo collapses.

Saturday at 7:45 p.m.: Ji-yoon doesn't show up for the engagement party, and Dong-hwa feels betrayed. Dong-hwa goes to Ji-yoon's house only to find Ji-yoon and Tae-seok together. To put pressure on Tae-seok, Dong-hwa cuts all funding to Tae-seok's company.