In October, just as Lee Jun Ki makes his way here for the first time as part of the 27th Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival, his drama, "My Girl," will be out on DVD, as will his movie, "King and the Clown."

Megastar Lee is receiving a "Rising Star" award at HIFF. He has been busy this year with two new movies, including "May 18," the second-highest box office hit this year, and a Japan-Korea production, "First/Virgin Snow."

His HIFF appearance will be at the U.S. premiere, which screens 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Hawai'i Theatre, part of "An Evening with Lee Jun Ki."

Lee was born April 17, 1982, in Busan, South Korea. He's been a model, actor and singer. Although he had small roles in TV drama series and commercials, his claim to fame was the film "The King and the Clown," playing Gong-gil in a film that had surpassed even "Taegukgi," then the top Korean film with more than 12 million viewers.

"The King and the Clown" in comparison was a low-budget film with homosexual content: Gong-gil (Lee) is a court clown who catches the eye of King Yeonsan.

Interestingly, after Lee's turn as Gong-gil, a movement in South Korean males spurred the acceptance of metrosexual — some would even say effeminate-looking — men; as a result, skin care and cosmetic business for men increased. Nowadays, Korean males who weren't generally known for using skin care and cosmetics are very serious about taking good care of their complexion.

Then, in the hit TV drama, "My Girl," Lee played a supporting role alongside stars Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook.

This year's "May 18th" film was directed by Kim Ji-hoon and was nominated for HIFF's Golden Orchid (best feature). It's focused on the actions that led to the one of the most tragic events in Korean history — when hundreds of Gwangju citizens were killed Korean military to repress the uprising on May 18, 1980. Its gross is second only to the "D-War," a film that had a $30 million budget.

Lee also has a Korea-Japan joint production film, "Virgin Snow," co-starring Japanese actress Aoi Miyasaki, currently doing very well in the box office. He's known to have more than 10,000 fans in Asia and just had his first Japan fan meeting earlier this year.

His international appeal also is apparent in the award from the Tokyo International Film Festival, where he was the top star. Lee was also at the 10th Shanghai International Film Festival to receive the Top Foreign Star Award along with Sharon Stone.

The HIFF Rising Star award is given to a young film professional or artist honoring the star's work, image and iconography in global media. The honor forecasts the star's future work will form a composition of great merit and substantial significance, elevating the medium of film with the artist's outstanding contribution to cinema.

A few years ago, fans got word that another megastar, Lee Byung Hun, would be visited HIFF, so Japanese fans booked last-minute flights and hotels in droves and purchased VIP memberships so they could be first to see the star. HIFF's opening night was marked by the screams of adoring Japanese women.

A Japanese tour package to HIFF was implemented this year, organized by Louis Vuitton, Halekulani, Starwood and JTB. Japanese fans will get a four-day package with tickets to HIFF events as well as a chance to see Lee. Information: www.hiff.org.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'BRIDE FROM VIETNAM'

Episodes 9 and 10

Tonight at 7: Jin-ju begins to adapt to her life in South Korea, but makes mistakes left and right. Jun-wu is irritated by Jin-ju's attempt to help him. Ji-young is startled by her mother's call, and tries to hide her existence from Young-min.

Tonight at 8: Everybody is happy when Jun-wu announces his decision to give another try at getting better. Young-su goes all out, even studying, to impress Se-mi. Ok-kyong begins to get suspicious of Ji-young's behavior. Young-min asks Ji-young to be honest with him about her mother, but refuses to tell him the truth.

'KANGNAM MOM'

Episodes 7 and 8

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Sang-won and Miss Han start dating, and Min-joo seems a little jealous. Mi-kyung is embarrassed that her husband doesn't match up to the level and class of Soo-mi's husband. Min-joo accidently reports to the Department of Education that Soo-mi collected a bribe from the parents and forced Mi-kyung to make a donation to the school.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Min-joo avoids problems with the moms and the school, thanks to Sang-won's wit. Mi-kyung decides to leave the Kangnam moms' circle and start over with Min-joo. Soo-mi is angry that Min-joo told Mi-kyung about her cheating husband. Soo-mi and Min-joo get into a fist fight. The moms call the school to have Min-joo's son removed.

'THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR'

Episodes 3 and 4

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Soo-chan decides to lure Yoon-hee and have her beg him for his love, as a payback. Yoon-hee tries hard to show Joon-suk that she's a competent secretary, but fails. Joon-suk and Hye-mi's parents talk about marrying the two.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Yoon-hee finally falls for Soo-chan, but discovers that he's been falsely leading her on. Duk-gil thinks Yoon-hee is interested in him. Hye-mi realizes that it is a big challenge to win Joon-suk's heart.

'AIR CITY'

Episodes 15 and 16

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Sun-woo escapes NSI's protection and goes out to find the gang who attacked him. Ji-sung goes after him to stop him, but gets into a brawl with the gang. Myong-woo tells Do-kyong she'll have to endure pain and suffering for loving Ji-sung.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: (Finale) Do-kyong tells Ha-joon and Myong-woo is sick, and she mustn't tell Ji-sung. However Ji-sung gets the news from Suk-hoon and goes to the hospital only to see her in a coma. As Ji-sung is crying tears of regret in Myong-woo's room, Do-kyong walks in on them.