'Man from Nowhere' is a thriller coming to U.S.

Actor Won Bin ("Mother," "My Brother" and "Taegukki") stars in a new Korean blockbuster, "The Man from Nowhere," scheduled for U.S. release in October. He plays ex-special agent Cha Tae-sik, who tries to save a young girl, So-mi, from drug dealers who also trade in human organs.

Foodland helps raise cash for Korean center project

Foodland's Give Aloha program has selected the Korean Cultural Center Fund as one of the nonprofit participants next month. If you have a Maika'i card, you can donate up to $249 at checkout and Give Aloha will match your donation.

S. Korea tour makes stops at drama sites

A few remaining seats are available for the inaugural Foodie Tour to South Korea, Oct. 28 to Nov. 4. The tour starts in Seoul and will travel down the peninsula on the west coast and return to the capital after stops in a few southern cities.

Cafe Duck Butt the place to go for Korean tapas

The Korean restaurant and karaoke bar to hang out at nowadays is Cafe Duck Butt in Kakaako. Consider it a Korean tapas place to wind down with friends and $1 songs.

Movie puts new twist on old folklore story

A new Korean movie, "The Servant," will be released at the Consolidated Ward 16 Honolulu and Maui Mall Megaplex in Kahului on Friday.

Korean pop star slated to attend Hawaii filmfest

The big trend in the Korean music industry is the popularity of teen-idol bands. Wonder Girls played at Pipeline Cafe last weekend, but there are many more groups in South Korea singing their way into the hearts of the younger generations in Asia.

Kids' choir to perform; 'Coffee House' debuts

The Hawaii Korean Cultural Center will hold a fundraising concert Aug. 1 featuring the Far East Broadcasting Co.'s children's choir, comprising 450 members from 12 cities throughout Korea.

K-pop Wonder Girls shows rescheduled for this week

The much-anticipated K-pop Wonder Girls' (above) concerts at Pipeline Cafe have been rescheduled for Friday and Saturday. Tickets for the original June dates can be exchanged or refunded at point of purchase.

Korean culture on display at festival on Saturday

The Ninth Annual Korean Festival happens Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand. The free event will feature Korean music, dance, food, cultural displays, family activities and Korean-made products.

Korean film '71: Into the Fire' to close 30th HIFF

What do Korean drama celebrities Lee Byung Hun, Song Kang Ho, Jung Woo Sung, Lee Jun Ki, Oh Ji Ho, Ha Ji Won, Shin Hyun Joon, Tak Jae Hoon, Ju Jin Mo and Lee Ki Woo have in common? They were all guests of the Hawaii International Film Festival, most attending during my tenure as festival president and board chairman.