Running out of ideas for all the people you need to buy presents for? KoreAm came across some items that will enrich some lives, and annoy others. But then, isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

Gifts That Entertain And Enlighten

Girl Power

“My Name Is Kim Sam Soon” was the big hit on South Korean television this past year. Fans just couldn’t get enough of the adventures of this stubborn, loud and not-rail-thin pastry chef who defied Korean convention. Now the whole 16-episode series, newly titled “My Lovely Kim Sam-Soon,” is available domestically in a six-DVD boxed set (by YA Entertainment).

Good Memories

2003’s “Memories of Murder” is one of the best movies to come out amid the burgeoning South Korean cinema scene over the last several years, and now it is available on DVD in the United States (by Palm Pictures). Based on the true story of South Korea’s first serial killer, “Memories of Murder” follows the police out to catch him, with an incredible star turn by actor Song Kang Ho, as one of the bumbling, yet utterly sympathetic cops. Director Bong Joon Ho shows a South Korea in 1986 that still had a ways to go in becoming a more modern nation.

Seonna Hong (left) and her sister Shenne Hahn, who co-wrote Animus.

Revenge Wishes

For friends who still haven’t seen “Old Boy” — and are not faint of heart — send them Park Chan Wook’s bravura second film in his vengeance trilogy. Get them caught up to speed with this DVD release (out domestically by Tartan Video USA and loaded with extras), and then they’ll be ready when the third part of Park’s revenge saga, “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,” hits theaters in March 2006.

Killer Cartoons

So what if the live-action “Aeon Flux” stars Charlize Theron? The trailers sure make the film look tepid. Instead, treat your friends to the animated original created by Peter Chung that aired on MTV in the ’90s. Then they can witness the dazzlingly kinetic animation style that Chung brought to these tales of a leather-clad female assassin. The director’s cut DVD edition (released by Paramount) includes all the episodes and the “Liquid Television” shorts, as well as commentary from Chung and a slew of other special treats.

Dishing Out

Is your special someone not cooking enough Korean food for you? Then give that person a subtle hint that there needs to be some more red-pepper heat in the kitchen with Eating Korean, a cookbook (published by John Wiley & Sons earlier this year) that distills a whole slew of Korean dishes into recipes that don’t require professional chef skills. And it’s more than just a cookbook; author Cecilia Lee weaves in poignant memories of the Korean food in her past that has left an aftertaste that will last a lifetime.

Moving Pictures

Artist and Emmy Award-winning animator Seonna Hong can also claim the title of author with the publication of Animus, a picture book (from Baby Tatoo) that features paintings with muted colors, yet come out looking vivid and alive. And the drawings that pop up (Animus is a “moving picture book” because not all the pages are pop-up) help propel the story of a girl and her encounter with an unfriendly dog. It’s a delight for all ages.