As some of our K-drama and cinema fans may know, I also wear the hat of volunteer chairman and president of the board for the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.

Korean television dramas have gained popularity in the last few years, and so has the Korean cinema. Korean television drama stars are often in feature films, which may have added to the popularity of films.

My involvement with HIFF was a natural extension from Korean TV dramas because of the crossover acting. KBFD and HIFF share a similar mission — to build understanding and cultural exchange among people of different ethnicity through the media of film and television.

HIFF has secured the opening-night film for next month, "Sad Movie." On Oct. 20, HIFF's opening-night screening will be a world premiere with corresponding release date in Korea. HIFF is lucky to showcase this four-love-story film, highlighting vignettes with stars of all ages.

With the world premiere in Hawai'i, "Sad Movie" won't be submitted to other top festivals.

We are in the process of securing some stars from "Sad Movie" to attend the festival for opening night. The scheduling challenge is that the stars also have to be in Korea for their national release of the film.

Want more information on "Sad Movie"? Check it out on the Korean-language Web site, www.sad-movie.co.kr.

Other Korean films coming for HIFF: "Blood Rain," "Crying Fist," "A Different Romance," "Little Brother," "A Bittersweet Life," "Sa-Kwa" and the fourth-most-popular Korean film in Korea's history, "Welcome to Dongmakgol." The latter is sure to sell out.

One of HIFF's jurors is Korea's most successful director, Kang Je-Gyu, who has under his belt such hits as "Tae Guk Gi" (with Jang Dong Gun and Won Bin) and "Shiri" (with Kim YunJin, who's in ABC's "Lost").

Zhang Yimou, China's premier director of such stellar films as "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers" will also attend HIFF this year.

From Japan, Sonny Chiba ("Kill Bill," "Shadow Warriors") will be HIFF's guest. Other celebrities include Samuel L. Jackson, Roger Ebert, Teddy Zee and Julie Delpy.

We have secured some of the best films in the world, such as "Brokeback Mountain" by Ang Lee.

Also coming: domestic releases "Prime" and "Mirror Mask," as well as foreign offerings "River Queen" from New Zealand, "Princess Raccoon" from Japan, "U-Carmen" from South Africa, "The Village Album" from Japan, "Hari Om" from India, "Paradise Now" from Palestinian filmmakers and "Kekexili: Mountain Patrol" from China.

As a special addition to our 25th anniversary celebration, HIFF will feature the Yoshida Brothers concert for closing night at the Hawai'i Theatre; and look for a seminar with the TV stars from "Lost."

Tickets go on sale Friday at the box office at the Dole Cannery. Or you can sign up online at www.hiff.org. Tickets go on sale to general public on Oct. 7. Look for the film guide at all Starbucks starting Oct. 6. On Wednesday, the Web site for HIFF will be brought up to date with all the information.

Jeff Chung is the 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.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK ON TV SERIES

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tonight at 7: Sung-min is devastated when he finds out that Yeo-jin paid off his debt. Dojin can't get Min-joo out of his mind. Suh-young wishes Min-joo good luck when she tells her that she has feelings for Do-jin. Hae-sun believes that Sung-jae took Jung-woo to an orphanage and vows revenge.

Tonight at 8: Sung-min tells Hee-soon he can't stand to see Dong-ha and her suffer, and asks for divorce. Do-jin showers Suh-young with gifts, but she stands firm. Suh-young and Jung-woo go out for a drink; she finds herself being attracted to him.

'FASHION '70S'

EPISODES 23 AND 24

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Duh-mi doesn't tell Joon-hee that she remembers the past. Mr. Ko makes a will leaving all of his assets to Joon-hee. He visits Joon-hee at the dorm, but Joon-hee treats him coldly. She asks Yang-ja to leave with Duh-mi. Bin comes back to Seoul and his mother discovers that he can't use his arm.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Joon-hee confronts Duh-mi about what Duh-mi knows. Duh-mi hugs her and tells her how much she missed her; Joon-hee tells her they should forget about the past. Joon-hee tells her that she would return everything to Duh-mi after the fashion show. Dong-young confronts Yang-ja and tells her that she should let Duh-mi go to her father.

'REBIRTH'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Ha-eun is haunted by his nightmares. Eun-ha reveals her feelings for Ha-eun, but he denies her. On Ha-eun's birthday, Eun-ha decides to go on a trip alone. Ha-eun follows her to their childhood secret hangout. Reunited, the two confirm their love.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Kyung Ki-do finds out Ha-eun is his dead partner's son. He rushes to Seoul to meet Ha-eun. But he is attacked before he sees Ha-eun. Lee Tae-joon and Jung Sang-gook order Choi Dong-chan to keep Ha-eun off their case. Choi Dong-chan brings false charges of corruption to Ha-eun.

'LAWYERS'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-ho is held at a warehouse. Joo-hee takes the day off and takes Se-hee and goes into hiding at Yi-ryong's house. Yi-ryong has Joo-hee fax the office, and Joo-hee catches a glimpse of a file titled "Joo-hee Papers." Inside it is various info, and Joo-hee learns about Kwon Hyuk-joong's role.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-ho declares war on Suk-ki, who tells him to stop for Jung-ho's and Joo-hee's own safety. Jung-ho tells him to leave Joo-hee out of it. Jung-ho tells Joo-hee that Suk-ki is afraid of Joo-hee's finding out the truth, and tells her to feign ignorance.