Mark your calendar: Hono-lulu celebrates Korean culture Saturday at Kapi'olani Park.

The Korean Festival debuted in 2002, in anticipation of the Korean Centennial the next year. On Jan. 13, 1903, the USS Gaelic brought to Hawai'i the first Korean immigrants to work in plantation fields.

The festival is now an annual event showcasing Korean food, dance and other entertainment.

As in years past, KBFD will have a tent. We will have DVDs, original drama soundtracks and Korean movies on sale at a discount. The first 100 customers who purchase DVD sets will receive a package of Ohana Foods' Kalkooksu noodles, a must-try. Stop by the tent — I will be there to answer your many drama questions.

I spoke with Rex Kim, head of the Korean Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival.

Q. Why was the festival moved from January to July?

A. There are many local events going on in January, such as the Sony Open, and with the New Year we found that people's schedules were too hectic. Also, the weather in July is typically more sunny and dry.

Q. What can we expect this year at the festival?

A. Our festival motto this year says it all: "See, Taste and Listen Korea." There'll be many things to experience like cultural displays, cooking demonstrations and performances.

Close to two dozen food vendors will serve favorites like Korean-style barbecued chicken and kal bi, and special dishes that one can't easily find at your neighborhood Korean restaurant, like mung bean pancake (pah jun) and rice cake mixed with meat and vegetables (dok pokki).

And don't forget to buy a jar of kim chee to eat at home.

Also, music will be performed throughout the day, and there will again be a Korean song contest in the evening with Mark Shim of Radio Seoul.

Q. What kind of entertainment is there this year?

A. Many local Korean dance groups will perform the Farmer's Dance, the Fan Dance, the Drum Dance and Samulnori. The traditional dance performances will be done by Halla Pai Huhm Dance Studio, Eun Sun Jung Traditional Dance Studio, Chum Sarang, Myung Woo Dahn, Christ United Methodist Church Dance team, and the always energetic BYUH Korean Dance team.

Myung Won Cultural Foundation from Korea will perform the tea ceremony. There will be a tae kwon do demonstration by U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center in 'Aina Haina with Master Dae Sung Lee, who is from Hawai'i and coached the U.S. Olympic team in 1992.

Q. What are other highlights?

We will have cooking demonstrations, and people can sample simple, delicious Korean dishes. Look for the cooking cart near the Cultural Tent at the Kalakaua Avenue side of the park. Also, stop by the tent to learn how to make fans and view traditional art and celebrity memorabilia, including large cut-out photos. You can have your photograph taken while wearing a traditional Korean costume.

We will once again have a kim-chee-eating contest that will start at 1 p.m. for the first 20 people who sign up at the Headquarters Tent. Prizes will be given to all participants. The winner will have the added honor of taking home a trophy to take his/her mind off his/her kim chee breath. Well, we'll have breath mints there, I hope.

Q. How significant is this festival in the Korean community?

A. More than 30,000 people attended the festival each year during the last four years, and we expect even more this year.

The festival gives Hawai'i's Korean-owned small businesses more exposure. Also, part of the festival proceeds funds scholarships in Hawai'i for students entering college and for continuing college students.

The festival's larger purpose, though, is to share our Korean culture and history in Hawai'i with the rest of Hawai'i and visitors. With the hallyu (televised Korean drama) craze, people in Hawai'i are really enjoying Korean culture. I believe strongly that the festival's popularity and growth is due in large part to the help, support and interest of so many different people from Hawai'i and beyond. From our generous sponsors, to our more than 300 dedicated volunteers, many of whom I have fondly nicknamed the "Koreans at heart," I want to thank them for making the festival what it is.

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

IN-SEOK'S HEALTH IS FAILING IN 'THANK YOU'

'THANK YOU, LIFE'

EPISODES 23 AND 24

Tonight at 7:50 p.m.: In-seok falls into despair when he gets his test results. Yeon-kyong is slowly recovering with the help of her family and In-seok. Ki-ho learns of In-seok's condition and tries to stop him from going to America.

Tonight at 7:50 p.m. (final): Yeon-kyong's operation is a success. Yeon-kyong's family also makes a full financial recovery. Yeon-kyong learns In-seok had resigned from the hospital because of failing health.

'SMILE AGAIN'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Dan-hee ruins the party when she tries to rescue Yu-kang from a sexual harasser. Jae-myong is happy to see Dan-hee, but Dan-hee tells him she's returning to Korea. Jae-myong asks Ha-jin to go back to Korea with him.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Dan-hee's softball team is in danger of dissolution when they lose yet another game. Joong-man recommends Jae-myong as the new coach for the team.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 27 AND 28

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Tae-joon's mother suspects Tae-joon has a woman. Se-mi comes to the restaurant and reveals Tae-joon is planning to marry Mi-ja, and his mother collapses from shock. Sun-hee asks Mi-ja not to marry her brother.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Everybody is relieved when Tae-soo brings Mom home. Mom asks Hong-jo if there is any way they can fix Sun-hee's leg. Sun-hee is overcome with gratitude. Jung-ja is smitten with the book salesman.

'ALONE IN LOVE'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-ho reluctantly answers Yoo-kyong's questions about Dong-jin. Eunho stops by Yoo-ri's bar to drink away her frustration.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Dong-jin and Yoo-kyong are not making progress in their relationship. Yoon-su is weighed down by his wife's decision, and Eun-ho is confused about the changes taking place in her life.