Spring is on the way, and local travel agencies are already promoting the Korean-drama tours — I know of at least four. If you're considering taking a drama-themed tour to South Korea, I suggest you do some homework to select the option best suited to your interests. Here are some key drama locations to help map a trip.

"Winter Sonata," aka "Winter Ballad," aired in South Korea and Hawai'i in 2002, and was a big hit throughout Asia. Producer Ho Yun-seok, also known for "Autumn Story" and "Summer Scent," is slated to work on a new series this spring.

Thousands of Japanese and Chinese "Winter Ballad" fans have traveled to South Korea to walk in the footsteps of Choi Ji-woo and Bae Yong-joon. Many of the romantic scenes of the couple walking and biking down tree-lined lanes were shot at Namiseom Island, about an hour from Seoul near Chuncheon pro-vince. This was the backdrop for the characters' high school days.

Min-hyeong (Bae Yong-joon) and Yu-jin (Choi Ji-woo) take a break to visit the site where they first held hands while Yu-jin walked on a log. Don't expect to see that log — so many tourists tried to re-enact the scene that it broke.

Many of the series' ski lodge scenes were shot at Dragon Park. You can take the gondola ride up to the summit of Barwangsan Mountain, where Min-hyeong confesses his love to Yu-jin. At the Dragon Park Hotel, you'll find many cafes that look familiar, and you can order the Winter Sonata meal set for $30 on the first floor. And you can visit Seoul's Choongang High School, where "Winter Sonata" begins.

"Autumn Story," starring Song Hye-gyo and Song Seung-heon, aired in Hawai'i in 2001. The famous last scene, in which Jun-seo carries Eun-seo on Hwajinpo Beach, is in Gangwon province. Eun-seo's hometown is actually Abai village in Sokcho. This is where Jun-seo sees her on a boat with a yellow umbrella.

Want to see where Jun-seo and Eun-seo honeymooned? Head to Samyang Mokjang Ranch.

Far from Seoul, these destinations can't be covered in a single day.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises all of the K-dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach him at jeffchung@kbfd.com.>

JUNG-WOO TALKS OF LEAVING THE NOODLE FACTORY

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 43 AND 44

Tonight at 7: Jung-woo tells his family he's quitting the noodle business. Jung-woo tells Jung-hoon that he's actually his uncle, not his brother. Hae-sun tries to persuade Jung-woo to stay with the noodle business, but she can't get through to him.

Tonight at 8: When his products are taken off the shelf at a department store, Jung-woo confronts Il-ho. Il-ho promises Yeo-jin he'll leave Jung-woo alone if she comes back to work for him, but he hires men to spy on their business. Yeon-shim is starting to see Jung-woo differently.

'STAINED GLASS'

EPISODES 17 AND 18

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: The chairman and Tae-hee accuse Ki-tae of hiring a hit man to kill Tae-sung. Yoon-suh tells Ki-tae that she lied to the chairman about Ki-tae hiring a hit man to get her revenge on Ki-tae's mother. Tae-hee realizes that Ki-tae's mother was behind the murder, and that Ki-tae had nothing to do with it.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m. (final episode): Ji-soo and Dong-joo give into Ki-tae and finally decide to marry. Ki-tae refused to go back to Seoul when Yoon-suh visits him and sees Ki-tae cough up blood.

'SWEET SPY'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: The police send auditors to the Special Investigations Division, and Joon and the officers wonder if this is payback for the case they are pursuing. After the audit, Joon asks Soon-ae if she enjoys staying at Yoo-il's place. Soon-ae goes to Yoo-il's home after work and sees he has bought her gifts. When she tells him she can't accept them, he asks her to quit her job as a police officer.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Joon tells Soon-ae to stay at Yoo-il's place for the time being. Yoo-il tells Soon-ae that her staying at his place makes him happy, and she finds herself falling for him. At the Special Investigations Division meeting, Soon-ae proposes an idea to ensnare Song Hyun-chul and Chung Bum-jin.

'TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Jin-ha tells Young-hoon of his interest in Eun-young. However Eun-young is disappointed when all Young-hoon says is that they have to pretend to be dating in public. The network tells Eun-young to make an appearance at Young-hoon's movie shoot. But Eun-young gets into an accident on the set.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Young-hoon, Eun-young, Jin-ha and Soo-min sit down to an awkward dinner. Jin-ha tells everyone that he's a better match for Eun-young, and Soo-min is a better match for Young-hoon. Young-hoon's movie is a box-office hit, but Eun-young is disappointed when Young-hoon doesn't call her.