Mayor Mufi Hannemann arrived in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 14 — in the middle of the Pusan International Film Festival — after his visit to Okinawa. That night I had the pleasure of taking the mayor to a party sponsored by CJ Entertainment promoting its latest film, "Joong Chun" ("A Restless Night"), to be released in December.

The film stars Jung Woo Sung and Kim Tae Hee. A Variety magazine photographer shot photos of the mayor and the stars. Executives from CJ Entertainment, the behemoth of South Korea's show-biz industry, talked to Hannemann about their interest in Honolulu for future business opportunities.

Besides producing films, the company also has nine cable channels, the CGV multiplex chain and film distribution capabilities.

The following day, Tae Won Entertainment announced a $200 million co-production with China.

"Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon" will star Susanna Tsang, Andy Lau ("Infernal Affairs") and former Hawai'i resident Maggie Q ("Mission: Impossible III"). The director of this epic film is Daniel Lee Yan Kong, who has films such as "Black Mask," "Moonlight Express" and "A Fighter's Blues" under his belt.

"Three Kingdoms," set in ancient China, will start filming in March 2007.

Lee Byung Hun attended the announcement ceremony and met with Andy Lau for the first time. That night, Lee invited Lau to the reception of his latest film, "Once in a Summer," later the same evening.

It's Lee's first new film in four years. Slated for a December release, it co-stars the very attractive Su Ae, who was in "Emperor of the Sea" and "Wedding Campaign."

Lau showed up at the film's reception. The preview looks like "Once in a Summer" would be the perfect fit for Hawai'i hallyu fans. Lee's last romantic drama was "Bungee Jumping of Their Own," done back in his college years.

I met with Lee at both parties. He expressed his love for Hawai'i and intention to return soon. He says "aloha" to all his fans in Hawai'i and remembers the aloha he received on his visit last year for HIFF.

Lee's latest film is a love story set in the 1960s and '70s in rural Korea. The film took four months of filming and director Cho Keun Shik said that he had a great time working with Lee and Su.

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

NEW DRAMA 'KOREA SECRET AGENCY' BEGINS TOMORROW

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

EPISODES 29 AND 30

Tonight at 7: Hanam drags Seolchill out of her blind date, and tells her to go back to Ilhan if she can't accept him. Taeja gets drunk and tells his mother off. Michill finds out Supyo has met her parents to tell them that he's against the marriage.

Tonight at 8: Hanam tells Ilhan he was Seolchill's first love, and that she has been in love with him for the past 10 years. Shocked, Ilhan takes off to sort out his feelings. Hanam decides to leave Seolchill.

'KOREA SECRET AGENCY'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Choe Kang is a slacker who has somehow passed the entrance exam at the world-class LK Corporation. However, at the interview, he is completely ignored, and not given a chance to answer any questions. Dejected and on his way home, he runs into a mysterious fortuneteller who tells him to "get physical" and that a benefactor will help him.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: The president and his secretary are impressed with Choe Kang and recommend him to the Korea Secret Agency. Kang's family openly mocks him at his claims of having been to the Blue House and met the president. He ends up being hired by the KSA as a "parachute," meaning he has been hired due to someone pulling strings.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 57 AND 58

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Mi-ja is furious over the kind of roles she's being offered. Mother tells Hong-jo she wants to bring Tae-joon's son. Hong-jo gives Mi-ja the news and tells her to discuss it with Tae-joon.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Tae-joon's mother walks in as Mi-ja is throwing a drunken tantrum. Mi-ja pours out her pent-up feelings to Mother. Remembering what she did after she sobers up, Mi-ja decides to take Sang-woo and hide out in her cabin.

'IRELAND'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Jae-bok rushes to the hospital when he hears Bu-ja is hospitalized. Joong-ah is dumbfounded when she hears Jae-bok call her mom. Joong-ah asks Kook to break up with her. Joong-ah tells Jae-bok she must've been attracted to him because he was her brother.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Joong-ah finds Si-yeon asleep in Kook's office. Joong-ah tells Kook it's time she cleans up the mess she made, and asks him to break up.