One of the most common requests I get from K-drama stars is to be invited to Hawai'i.

First, let's start with demand: South Korean dramas, movies and pop culture are taking over Asia. K-dramas have taken over the airwaves, garnering first place in ratings in several Asian countries.

Did you know the top-rated TV programs in the Philippines are Korean dramas? Did you know the top-rated TV show in Hong Kong was "Dae Jang Keum" (Jewel in the Palace) with more than 3.1 million viewers?

The top show in Thailand was the 2004 K-drama "Full House," with a rating of more than 51 percent!

I heard from a fan that Iraq TV is actually planning to play "Winter Sonata." And it goes without saying that Japan overall has been the most receptive, with an insatiable appetite for Korean dramas, movies and singers.

What evolved was a huge demand for Korean stars to make appearances throughout Asia, especially Japan; in turn they will be paid generous fees as well as travel benefits for entourage, hairstylist, fashion coordinator, manager and more.

These days, K-stars' time is extremely limited, and demands on their time have increased. But nothing is impossible.

There are ways to get a glimpse of Korean stars. The highest probability is by attending the Pusan International Film Festival.

Pusan is the second-largest city in South Korea, at the southern end of the peninsula. The film festival celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and has already positioned itself as the most energetic film festivals in the world. Some industry professionals call PIFF the Cannes of Asia.

PIFF runs Oct. 6-14, two weeks before the Islands' own Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.

Korean cinema has improved in the past few years in correlation with K-dramas. One reason is that K-drama stars often appear in movies as well.

The whole city of Pusan turns out in full support, from the government to the people, for the festival, which has an incredible draw from the international film community. PIFF has put Pusan on the world film map and has done wonders for the tourism industry.

Another way to possibly see Korean stars is by attending the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival. We are expecting to have in attendance stars from Asia and Hollywood.

Check this column next week for more details on who may be there.

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.

FAMILIAR FACES STAR IN DRAMA ABOUT BROTHERS

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Tonight at 7: This is a new family drama about four estranged brothers who come together to revive the family business when their father dies. It stars familiar faces Lee Jong-won of "Conditions of Love," Park Seon-young of "Oh Pil-seung, Bong Soon-young," and Oh Yeon-soo of "Second Proposal," along with a new face, Kim Dong-wan of the singing group ShinHwa. In the first episode, Yeo-jin shocks her family when she announces her plans to wed a divorced man with a child. Suh-young and Jung-woo get into an argument at a restaurant. Unaware that her best friend is seeing her boyfriend behind her back, Suh-young asks her to move in with her.

Tonight at 8: Jung-woo apologies to Suh-young about their little mishap. Sung-jae tries to come up with money for Sung-min, his younger brother. Yeo-jin tries to lend Sung-min money, but his wife rejects her offer, not wanting any help from her husband's ex-girlfriend.

'FASHION '70S'

EPISODES 19 AND 20

Monday at 7:50 p.m.: Bin is furious when he finds out that Duh-mi is Dong-young's girlfriend and tells Dong-young that he would not give up on Duh-mi. Duh-mi goes to Yang-ja and discovers Joon-hee in the room. Yang-ja tells Duh-mi that she used to work as as housekeeper at Joon-hee's house. Joon-hee asks Yang-ja if Duh-mi is the real Joon-hee.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Dong-young and Bin make contact with the man they are to protect in Hong Kong. Chang-hye finds Yang-ja and pleads with her to let him see the real Joon-hee. Joon-hee overhears Chang-hye telling Yang-ja that he's always thought about his real daughter, Joon-hee. She vows to never forgive him.

'MY LOVELY SAM-SOON'

EPISODES 15 AND 16

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Sam-soon is dumbfounded when she sees Jin-hun get off the elevator with Hee-jin. But when she finds out Hee-jin is sick, she makes porridge for her. However, Hee-jin doesn't appreciate her efforts. Hee-jin decides to go back to America and asks Jin-hun to accompany her.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m. (final episode): Sam-soon hasn't heard from Jin-hun in months and she's heartbroken. She opened her own pastry shop, but business isn't taking off. Sam-soon runs into her blind date for the third time and the two decide to give dating another try when Jin-hun shows up.

'LAWYERS'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Joo-hee confronts Alex/Suk-ki. Jung-ho witnesses the confrontation and learns about Joo-hee and Alex's former relationship. In the meantime, Alex has wronged Joo-hee again, having had Tommy deposit money into Joo-hee's account. So Joo-hee gets wrongly arrested under the suspicions of having sold the missing data for kickbacks.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-ho offers to drop the investigation over his stolen files if Alex/Suk-ki will help exonerate Joo-hee. Joo-hee is eventually set free. In the meantime, Tommy's loyalty to Alex gets compromised as he becomes more and more attracted to Se-hee.