South Korean cinema is changing with the times. Five years ago, the Japanese market couldn't get enough Korean films. So Korean filmmakers started making movies specifically for the Japanese market. Those releases did poorly in Korea, but sales in Japan absorbed production costs.

However, those films made for export began to lose the signature Korean style Japanese audiences were looking for in the first place. The result: High-priced Korean films that were flops in South Korea and Japan.

One South Korean film-industry executive, who asked to remain anonymous, said "Korean filmmakers need to focus on what they do best: make Korean films as they have five years ago and not be overly concerned about selling the product overseas, which can compromise the uniqueness of Korean cinema."

Korean film exports have dropped more than 50 percent in the past two years but are showing signs of recovery. Director Kim Ki-duk's new film "Breath" was well received at the Cannes film festival.

Another hit to the South Korean film industry is the foreign-film quota that required theatres to increase the screening of foreign films.

Korea produces nearly 100 titles a year, and only a handful of them are successful. Many industry leaders are waiting for the next Bae Yong Joon to take hallyu to the next level.

Korean films have found an audience in Hawai'i, especially with the Hawaii International Film Festival. K-Fest, HIFF's summer Korean film showcase, is now in its third year and is HIFF's fastest-growing event. In many cases during the spring and fall festival, Korean films sell out. Anderson Le, in Cannes for the festival, told me he has secured some great titles and this year's K-Fest lineup will be a good one.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'DEAR LOVER'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tonight at 7: Jae-in tells Hyun-suk that Dong-woo married her despite knowing the baby may not be his. Jae-hee, Jae-in's sister, comes to stay and is upset that Hyun-suk lives next door.

Tonight at 8: Jang-mi tells Dong-woo that he shouldn't have affairs and that she's going to spill the beans to Jae-in. Jae-in sees Ae-young reading a letter and has suspicions, which she shares with Hyun-suk.

'WITCH MA'

EPISODES 9 AND 10

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Yu-hee is disappointed when Mu-ryong tells her he might have to quit his job. Seung-mi runs into Yu-hee and Mu-ryong at a bar.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Yu-hee suggests a "practice" relationship to Mu-ryong. Joon-ha asks Yu-hee to go steady, and Muryong is happy that his lessons are finally taking effect.

'TO MY LOVE'

EPISODES 17 AND 18

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Suh-young goes to Jung-min's house to get her baby back. Jung-min's family does not oblige and continues with wedding plans.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Suk-ju hears his baby daughter is ill right after the wedding, and it puts a strain on the young marriage. Traumatized by her baby's critical condition, Suh-young struggles with her own health.

'BLUE FISH'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Eun-su is a beautiful violinist living in Australia. Against her father's wish, she holds a concert in Korea where she meets Hyun-wu, a car designer and a part-time race driver.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Hyun-wu misses Eun-su when she returns to Australia. Gu-young, Hyun-wu's friend, urges Hyun-wu to go there to find Eun-su. Equipped only with her name, Hyun-wu tracks down Eun-su.