If you're hanging out with international megastar Lee Byung Hun, the star of Korean television dramas and films, you might need earplugs.

Even though Lee's attendance at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival, for the sold-out screening of "Bittersweet Life," was his second visit here, screaming fans were everywhere. I even heard that fans from Japan flew in just to see him.

Lee's first trip here, about a weeklong visit, was last year, when he arrived midsummer to do a photo shoot for the Japanese market. Although his schedule was tight, he'd found a love of and regard for our islands.

During this trip, we first met at the airport. I had a chance to talk during the drive to the hotel. I brought him up to speed on why he was so well-known here.

He told me he gets fan mail from Hawai'i and wondered how people here would know about him and how they would understand Korean-language programs. I explained that KBFD airs prime-time shows, which are translated and subtitled in English.

My impressions of this film and TV megastar? He is very polite, well-mannered and down-to-earth.

My experience with Lee's screaming fans came by chance in Waikiki. While he stood in the lobby of the Sheraton Waikiki, many Japanese tourists — men and women — saw Lee and started asking each other: Is it really him? Is it someone who looks like him?

Soon enough, a brave woman came up to him with a "Are you Lee Byung Hun?" look.

He said hello. She started to have an endorphin rush and quickly offered her hand.

When Lee shook her hand, it was as if the world fell apart for her. Her eyes dilated and she started to breathe heavily. Visual contact is one thing, but to have actually shaken his hand!

Other onlookers realized it was, indeed, the man they knew from the screen. They started to gather around. That's when his managers, who seemed to be on constant guard, realized things could get out of hand and rushed him to the car.

Then, on opening night of the film festival, at a reception at the Gordon Biersch restaurant in Aloha Tower Marketplace, Lee made his appearance.

His fans screamed and squeezed as close as possible to the stage, reaching out their hands in hopes of touching his.

There were many who brought photos to be autographed, personalized shirts with Lee's picture, and presents.

The screaming failed to die down during his time onstage, and the crowd could not get enough of him.

At the press conference the following Saturday at the Outrigger Waikiki, I couldn't believe how many fans arrived an hour early.

I now understand the potential dangers involved with large, out-of-control crowds of fans. As Lee was being escorted to the car, there was a mad rush of women pushing with all their might to get as close as possible.

I had no idea a little lady half my size could have so much strength as she pushed past me to get Lee's autograph.

After experiencing the crush of the crowd, I have some advice on getting an autograph: There has to be a very small group of people!

When he had time and the opportunity, Lee did sign and shake hands and chat. However, when the crowd gets too big, things get out of hand.

There were many chances for fans to get an autograph, if they happened to be at the right place at the right time. .

Lee, who left Tuesday, said he really enjoyed his stay here and wants to come back. The fans who managed to chat with him realized one thing: He speaks English well.

I'm certain he will say good things to other famous Korean drama actors and actresses about his great experience in Hawai'i. This will also mean we could enjoy more visits from Korean celebrities.

K-DRAMAS THIS WEEK INCLUDE NEW SERIES

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 15 AND 16

Tonight at 7: Afraid that Jung-woo would be hurt by the truth, Sung-jae tells Sung-mi not to tell Hae-sun anything. Fed up by Il-ho's fiery temper, Jin-hee leaves home. Jung-woo and Do-jin attend the grand opening of Suh-young's restaurant, and the two are wary of each other.

Tonight at 8: Sung-mi asks Hae-sun why she left so suddenly, but she hides the truth for the sake of revenge against Il-ho. When Sung-min comes home from the hospital, Hee-sook coldly turns him away at the door. Sung-jae, Jung-woo and Sung-min join forces to start a new business.

'SECRET LOVERS'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Joon-woo and the real Ah-mi finally meet, and Ah-mi, while not instantly love-struck, decides that he is marriage material. Do-kyung's harebrained embezzlement scam is discovered and he is immediately fired. Young-jee is torn between her loyalty to Ah-mi and her secret longing for Joon-woo.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Young-jee and Ah-mi unwittingly find that they are each other's rival for Joon-woo's affections. Do-kyung is down and out, after having been fired from his job for the embezzlement scam. Young-jee, Ah-mi and Joon-woo get together for a friendly dinner at Ah-mi's place.

'REBIRTH'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Sucheol follows Haeun to his secret office, but Haeun doesn't forgive him. Heesu disguises himself as a powerful financier and approaches Taejun. Pressured by Gangju's incessant questions, Taejun asks Gangju's boss to send her to another department.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Shinhyeok (Haeun), Eun-ha and staff go out to celebrate their winning the convention center project. Jinwoo tells Eunha of his painful past. Haeun is engulfed with jealousy when he sees Jinwoo bringing Eun-ha home. Haeun asks Taejun to persuade Steven Lee (Heesu's alias) to work with Mureng Construction.

'LOVERS IN PRAGUE'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Jae-hee, the president's daughter, is a diplomat stationed in the Czech Republic. Sang-hyun is a hot-tempered detective whose girlfriend, Hae-joo, is studying piano in Prague. When Hae-joo breaks up with him over the phone, he travels to Prague to find her.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Sang-hyun shows up at the starting line of a race, surprising Jae-hee. When Sang-hyun sees Jae-hee's bloody heels, he carries her across the finish line, coming in first. On Hae-joo's finger, Jae-hee sees the same ring that Sang-hyun was wearing. Sang-hyun comes to Jae-hee's house, where he runs into Hae-joo.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Questions or comments can be sent to KBFD at 521-8066.