K-dramas are creating celebrities — out of fans. Nora Muramoto and Gerrie Nakamura, the Hawai'i K-drama fan club's most recognizable names and faces, have been interviewed by two South Korean networks, been on prime-time national TV in South Korea, and were featured in The Honolulu Advertiser last October, Pamela Young's Mixed Plate on KITV 4 and on the front page of Yahoo.com on March 24 — KBFD's 20th anniversary.

The articles and interviews are all about Korean dramas, of course, and their popularity in Hawai'i. The K-drama-crazed duo is even on a commercial spot (for Well Being Juk restaurant on Ke'eaumoku Street) now airing on KBFD.

The Hawai'i K-drama fan club has sub-clubs that focus on individual stars such as Bae Yong Joon, Ryu Shi-Won, Jung Joon Ho and Song Il Gook.

This month, Joanne Tachibana, co-founder of the Song Il Gook fan club, had her dream come true when she met the actor in South Korea. CJ Gima tours took a group of Hawai'i K-drama fans on a 10-day South Korean trip that culminated with a session with Song Il Gook, star of such dramas as "Conditions of Love" and "Bodyguard," on the last day of the tour — April 1. But this was no April fool's joke.

The tour, which cost about $2,900 per person, took fans to K-drama locations such as Jeju Island and Wando Island, where the historical drama "Emperor of the Sea" was filmed. Tachibana walked in the footsteps of the series' Yum Moon — played by Song Il Gook — along the seaport. She also visited the Boseong tea plantation where "Summer Scent" was filmed. She then went to Gwanju to visit the set of "Immortal Yi Soon Shin" then to Nami Island where "Winter Ballad" was shot.

The Hawai'i group also went to the KBS studio to watch the live taping of "Open Concert," which airs weekends on KBFD.

You can imagine the preparation that Joanne and her fellow fan club members did for their meeting with Song Il Gook — they had a speech, gifts and a certificate from the City Council!

Before her trip, Joanne researched Song Il Gook's interests, which include triathlons. So she got him a Hawai'i triathlon shirt and cap. Song Il Gook was impressed with the gift, saying he would like to compete in the Hawai'i event in four years. Joanne got up on stage to present him with the City Council certificate, aloha shirts and a gift for his mother. Knowing that Song is close to his mother, the fan club got her a hand-painted kamani-wood salad bowl. And in aloha tradition, Joanne gave him a lei and a kiss on the cheek.

When I asked Joanne how it felt to be on stage with her favorite star, she said, "It was like hugging and kissing a son."

Song Il Gook, who will be 35 this year, played a mature role in "Emperor of the Sea," but on that day looked very young in his casual aloha attire.

The experience was a heart-to-heart exchange of aloha from his new Hawai'i mothers, according to Joanne. The fan club day included about 50 fans from Hawai'i (average age around 55), 10 Japanese fans (average age about 45) and Korean fans who are generally in their 20s.

The day ended with the Hawai'i fans inviting Song Il Gook to visit the Islands and thanking him for hosting the first International Friendship meeting between the Hawai'i Song Il Gook fan club and his Korean fan club.

Joanne is now inspired to study Korean in hopes of speaking with Song in his native language one day.

SUNG-JAE, SUN-OK WED IN FINALE OF 'FAREWELL'

'A FAREWELL TO TEARS'

EPISODES 59 AND 60

Tonight at 7: Sung-jae and Sung-min take over Il-ho Noodles factory, but face difficulties. Yeon-shim and Tae-bok decide to sponsor orphans. Sung-mi and Hae-sun keep Hae-sun's illness a secret from the family.

Tonight at 8: In the final episode, Sung-jae and Sun-ok finally get their wedding ceremony. Sung-jae's family and Il-ho's family put the past behind them. Jung-woo and Hae-sun go on a trip together to see the sunrise.

'MY GIRL'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Monday at 7:50 p.m.: Chairman Seol is anxious when Yoo-rin doesn't show up at the party. Jung-woo tells his mother he'll go abroad with Yoo-rin. Jung-woo tells Yoo-rin she should leave for Gong-chan's sake.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Sae-hyun tells Yoo-rin's father to keep quiet. Jung-woo decides to give up on Yoo-rin. Sae-hyun tells Chairman Seol about his real granddaughter. Chairman Seol confronts Yoo-rin.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Tae-joon tries to recruit help to save his house. Mi-ja goes to see Mr. Koh to earn some time for the Parks. Tae-joon's father meets with tragedy.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Mi-ja is surprised when Hong-jo proposes to her. Tae-soo's mom visits Koh Dong-chul with Tae-soo to get the deed to the house back. Tae-soo gets a job at a bike repair shop. Mi-ja is haunted by rumors.

'THE PALACE'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Chaekyong finally meets Princess Hae-myong, Shin's older sister. Chae-kyong sees a new side of Shin. Pictures of Shin and Hyo-rin are published in Thai tabloids, and the palace is turned inside and out.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Shin tells Chae-kyong he plans to step down as the crown prince. Chae-kyong tries to get closer to Shin. The plan to reinstate Prince Hyo-yeo gets under way.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, the first channel to air K-dramas locally. If you have a question or comment, call KBFD at 521-8066 or reach him at jeff chung@kbfd.com.