SBS, one of the largest broadcast networks in South Korea, will release a fusion historical drama series starring Lee Jun Ki as folk hero Iljimae.

"Iljimae, the Phantom Thief" starts airing in Hawai'i on July 2.

Lee received the rising-star award at the Louis Vuitton Hawai'i International Film Festival last year, which several of his fans from Japan attended just to take part in "A Night With Lee Jun Ki" and to see the Hawai'i premiere of "May 18."

Since then, Lee has garnered even more international appeal — he has an estimated 14,000 fans just in Japan — and has really hit it big this year taking the lead role as Iljimae.

Lee is most well-known for his appearance in South Korea's second all-time biggest box office hit "The King and The Clown," but the 26-year- old model/actor has been busy with doing movies, drama series, music videos and TV commercials.

Lee's TV hits include "My Girl" and "Time Between Dog and Wolf." His has also been in movies, such as "Flying Boys," "May 18," "Fly Daddy Fly," "The King and the Clown" and "Virgin Snow."

To Americans, the story of Iljimae might resemble that of folk hero Robin Hood. Korea's folk tradition also has a famed bandit who stole from corrupt rich aristocrats to redistribute the loot among the less fortunate commoners. Whether Iljimae was just a fictional folk hero or an actual historical figure is up for debate.

He is described in the Korean folk tales as an almost pre-modern version of today's action heroes. Much like Spiderman, he could seemingly leap from wall to wall and fly onto roofs. Like Batman, he always left a unique insignia behind each and every time he robbed from the houses of the corrupt. His insignia was a painted image of a Korean plum.

The very first mention of Iljimae in Korean literature is in "Chujaegiyi" by the 18th-century Joseon dynasty poet Jo Su-sam. This was not literature for the elite, but one aimed at the masses, especially the members of the commoner class who by birthright could not move up from their lowly status. The inherent unfairness of this system popularized literature featuring heroes of origins commoners could identify with. The story of Iljimae, which would be retold in another popular work "Suyeoyeonpil" by Hong Gil-ju, became particularly popular during the later Joseon dynasty and is well-known to this day.

Some people contend that the original story of Iljimae originated from China's Ming dynasty. According to this theory, the story was later revised during the early Qing dynasty, and then found its way to Korea's Joseon dynasty along with other folk literature. Whether Iljimae was an actual person, and wherever his story may have originated from, Iljimae became one of the most popular literary characters in the Korean popular imagination and is a testament to the Korean people's sense of fairness.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'HAPPINESS'

EPISODE 19

Tonight at 6:30. Ha-kyong gets upset after seeing Sang-wook playing with Sa-rang. Ji-sook tells Sang-wook that she's going to accept Yong-jae's proposal. Seo-yun and Jun-su's argument turns into a pillow fight and more.

'SCARY GIRL'

EPISODES 111, 112

Tonight at 7:45. Chairman Yang's wife goes to Young-rim's apartment to threaten her, but Young-rim doesn't get intimidated and tells her that Joon-chul's a pest. Chairman Baek calls Chairman Yang and tells him that Young-rim will go outside the city to work on a new project. Eun-hae and Kyung-pyo start fighting again.

'I LOVE YOU'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m. Ah-young tells Young-hee that the only reason Chul-soo is marrying her is out of obligation. Saddened that his little son now wants to take his stepfather's last name, Byung-ho decides to marry Lee Young-hee. Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. Chul-soo and Byung-ho decide to run away together on the night before their wedding. Chaos ensues when the two brides realize that they have have been stood up at the altar.

'ILJIMAE, THE PHANTOM THIEF'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. Iljimae is an invincible warrior who robs corrupt officials and noblemen and gives the loot to poor commoners. He is born Yi Gyum, son of the powerful nobleman Yi Won-ho. However, when his rival Byun Sik frames Yi Won-ho of leading a rebellion against the king, Gyum's fate takes a dramatic turn. Thursday at 7:45 p.m. Gyum hides for his life in a chest.

'SCARY GIRL'

EPISODES 113, 114 AND 115, 116

Friday at 7:45 p.m. Chairman Yang asks Young-rim about what happened between Joon-chul and Young-rim the night before he disappeared. After having a fight at work, Eun-hae asks Kyung-pyo for a divorce. Saturday at 7:45 p.m. Chairman Baek receives the birth of twins while he's with Young-rim. Yourng-rim reminisces about the time she had her baby. Tears well up when Eun-hae meets her babies. Jung-jin tells his mother he wants to have a baby also.