This year was marked with many Hallyu (Korean wave) events; many local Korean organizations and small businesses held fundraising events here.

All events had one thing in common: The draw for ticket sales was celebrity sightings, with Korean stars ranging from singers, comedians, actors and actresses in attendance.

Organizations were quick to ride the Korean wave to raise funds for local charities. For many putting together these events, the organization was neither promotion- nor event-oriented. That means, for most, this was their first run at special events.

Korean stars can be as fickle as any star in Hollywood and if you were not prepared for it, the invitations and star-related expenses can severely eat into your bottom line. So donations to local charities were limited in some cases.

And as expenses increased, so did the ticket prices, which went as high as $300. With multiple events this year, Hallyu fans reached deep into their pockets in support.

For those Hallyu fans that can't get enough of stars, the good news is that there is one more event this year, a fundraiser for the development of a Korean cultural center in Hawai'i. The dinner show with Jung Joon Ho, Park Sang Min, Kim Hung Kook, Im Ji hoon and Jang Eun will be Friday at the Ala Moana Hotel.

The United Korea Association of Hawaii is the sponsor; it's a nonprofit organization here that supports the Korean community. To date, more than $17,000 has been raised as seed money for a decade-long dream of a cultural center. Nearly all tickets, costing $100 to $200, have been sold. Those who are interested should call 944-3168.

Jung Joon Ho, a famous actor and frequent visitor, was last seen in Hawai'i as the main model for the Andre Kim fashion show last February. Jung Joon Ho has been in many successful TV drama series and films. Interestingly, he was in the first of three series, "Marrying the Mafia," as Park Dae Soo. "Marrying the Mafia 3" was shown at Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival last month. He was in box office hits such as "My Boss, My Hero" (2001) and the sequel, "My Boss, My Student," which was released this year. Jung Joon Ho has a large fan base in Hawai'i.

With so many first-run events in 2006, I expect future Hallyu events to be more exciting and operate like a well-greased machine.

The Korean entertainment industry does take notice of Hawai'i and its effort in promoting Hallyu. I know of many events already being planned for 2007 with top stars in attendance.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises Korean dramas. K-drama question or comment? Contact him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

EPISODES 39 AND 40

Tonight at 7: Seol-chil learns a shocking fact while going through old documents. She confirms the fact with her superior and is thrown into confusion. Mi-chil and Ilhan go to meet his parents to get their blessing. Chansoon bans Taeja from sharing his room with Jong-chil when she finds out Taeja is failing his classes.

Tonight at 8: In her upset and drunken state, Seol-chil goes to see Hanam. Hanam takes unconscious Seol-chil home, but when she wakes up, she refuses to go inside the house. Puzzled by Seol-chil's unusual behavior, Hanam goes to see Deok-chil and learns the secret behind Seol-chil's birth.

'KOREA SECRET AGENCY'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: In the middle of a corporate espionage deal with an LK executive, Kang has a chance encounter with Chung Yun-hee. After recognizing the executive as the man in charge at his LK interview, Kang introduces him as a "partner" to Yun-hee. Both Yun-hee and the LK exec come away from the meeting believing that Kang is a bona-fide corporate spy.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Kang's mother is worried when Kang doesn't come home for days without a call. But Seon shows no concern for his missing brother, caught up in his own happiness about his promotion at work. Kang catches Joo-yeon on her way to work, and asks her to send the file on his cell phone.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 67 AND 68

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Mother tells Tae-joon to take Mi-ja back for Sang-woo's sake, but Tae-joon says no. Mi-ja and Tae-joon finally put their past behind them, and wish each other well. Jung-ja runs into Jo Bong-jin when she comes to visit her parents, and gets beat up again.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Tae-joon gives an engagement ring to Jae-eun upon her return. But Hong-jo tells Jae-eun that Tae-joon will never get over Mi-ja, and suggests she reconsider her marriage to Tae-joon. Jae-eun decides to meet with Mi-ja to get some answers about her relationship with Tae-joon.

'GREEN ROSE'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Soo-ah is afraid for the company's and her future when the shareholders complain about the vacancy left by her father. Yoo-ran tells Hyun-tae to marry Soo-ah. Jung-hyun is tormented by fury and misery in his cell, and pleads his innocence to his mother. Jung-hyun's mother kills herself to give her son a few days of freedom.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-hyun catches Yoo-ran as she is leaving the office, and asks why she lied to the judge. When the police arrive, Jung-hyun takes Yoo-ran hostage. Jung-hyun is surrounded by police on top of a bridge, and jumps when the police move in on him.