The Hawaii International Film Festival's Spring Festival is coming up, April 16 to 22 at Regal's Dole Cannery theaters. Tickets go on sale to HIFF Ohana members April 5 and to the general public April 7.

Four Korean films are included this year, featuring actors who should be familiar to followers of K-drama and Korean pop culture. You can see a full program guide at www.hiff.org, and get tickets at www.hiff.org, at the HIFF box office (650 Iwilei Road, Suite 100), or by phone at 792-1577.

Synopses of the Korean films, provided by HIFF:

"Cafe Seoul," directed by Masaharu Take
6:45 p.m. April 17, 1:30 p.m. April 19

South Korean actor Kim Jung-hoon ("Princess Hours") and Japanese actor Saitoh Takumi ("Boys Love") team up for this Korean-Japanese co-production. Saitoh plays a Japanese journalist who travels to write about traditional desserts. In South Korea, he comes across a traditional cafe run by three brothers — played by Kim Jung-hoon, Choi Sung-min ("Bad Love"), and Kim Dong-wook ("Antique") — with very different personalities. The story is about pulling together and holding on to the warmth of the past amid the fast-changing trends of modern-day Seoul.

"A Good Rain Knows," directed by Hur Jin-ho
5:30 p.m. April 18, 6 p.m. April 20

On a business trip to China, Park Dong-ha ("Jung Woo Sung," HIFF 2008) runs into May, a friend he met while studying in America. Reminiscing about their college days rekindles feelings they once had for each other. Right before his flight is about to depart, Dong-ha decides to stay for another day, filled with the enchantment of first love. Is it real?

"Fair Love,", directed by Shin Yeon-Shick
6 p.m. April 19, 3:15 p.m. April 20

Hyeong-man, a taciturn camera repairman, promises to look after the daughter of a terminally ill friend. Nam-eun, a socially awkward young woman, is more distressed over the death of her cat than about her father. As the two get to know each other, the relationship changes. A humorous, unconventional romance.

"A Brand New Life," directed by Ounie Lecompte
4:30 p.m. April 17, 4 p.m. April 22

After a memorable day with her father, 9-year-old Jin-hee's world is shattered when he abandons her at an orphanage. Loneliness consumes her, but she begins to bond with other girls in the orphanage. Inspired by director Ounie Lecomte's childhood spent in a Seoul orphanage before being adopted by a French family.

THIS WEEK’S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

"Smile, Honey"
Episodes 39 and 40
Tonight at 7:45 p.m.: The wedding of Jungin and Hyunsu takes place at Manbok's house. Manbok collapses during the reception, but Sanghoon doesn't tell Hyunsu, and sends the couple on their honeymoon. Junggyung gets a call that a donor for Manbok was found in Japan. Tomorrow at 7:45 p.m.: Worried about Manbok, Junggil decides to sleep with him. Manbok is overjoyed when he has a conception dream for Hyunsu and Jungin. Manbok refuses to get a liver transplant when Geumja tells him there is a donor. The whole family tries to persuade Manbok but he won't listen.
"Love You 1,000 Times"
Episodes 35 and 36
Sunday at 6:45 p.m.: Eun-nim bumps into Geum-ja again at Chung-ja's house. The meeting makes her feel very nervous. Gang-ho gets a new spicy rice cakes store for Eun-nim's grandmother. Se-hoon tries hard to make it up to Sun-young, but she's unresponsive. Nan-jeong tells Chul to ask his sister for money for an apartment, but Chul refuses.
Sunday at 7:45 p.m.: Geum-ja blackmails Eun-nim for $20,000 so she can pay off the loan sharks. Eun-nim gives her $10,000. Gang-ho wonders what Eun-nim's done with $10,000. Ae-rang and Chung-ja decide that Nan-jeong and Chul should move in with Chung-ja until they save enough money to move out. Meanwhile, Il buys Eun-nim a new car. Se-hoon's been drinking every night, making Sun-young more suspicious.
"Wish Upon A Star"
Episodes 13 and 14
Monday at 7:45 p.m.: Gang-ha asks Red to extend the contract. Red plays hardball and talks Gang-ha into giving her a raise, too. Jae-young offers Gang-ha's mom money to help her win Gang-ha's heart. Gang-ha is furious when he finds out about it.
Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.: Jae-young blackmails Gang-ha into marrying her. Chairman Jung asks Red about the picture of Oh Jung-ae and Red's mom, and asks her to find her for him. Jae-young tells her parents she's officially dating Gang-ha. Joon-ha wonders why Gang-ha suddenly decided to marry Jae-young.
"Ob & Gyn"
Episodes 3 and 4
Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.: Dr. Suh asks Dr. Lee for help with an ultrasound exam. Lee is shocked to see that Suh is pregnant, but continues with the ultrasound and advises her on what to be careful about. Dr. Suh cuts him off and tells him that she is a gynecologist too, and to not worry about her.
Thursday at 7:45 p.m.: Sang-sik walks in on Dr. Yoon forcefully kissing Hae-young. Dr. Lee makes a fish stew for Dr. Suh and leaves it in front of Suh's house. Suh gets pulled over by an officer for speeding, then throws up on the spot. A husband must choose whether to keep his premature baby or not when his wife is pronounced brain dead after a head-on collision.