2007: YEAR OF THE GOLDEN PIG

In the Asian horoscope, February will mark the start of the year of the pig. But it's not just any year of the pig — it's a golden pig year.

There are 12 animals in the Asian horoscope, and each sign comes around once every 12 years. Put together in a combination with elements such as water, fire and earth, each year is characterized to certain special meaning. Twelve different signs with five elements means you have 60 possible combinations.

The golden pig year — calculated through yin-and-yang theory (and called a myth by the Korea Times) — happens only every 600 years. It is said that children born in the year of the golden pig will have great fortune. And it's a huge marketing event in South Korea.

There are two schools of thought: Some couples are planning to have children in 2007 because they believe that it is a lucky year ... even many Christian Koreans (and there are a lot) who usually don't pay attention to this. But for many, because Confucianism is deeply rooted in their lives, if parents were planning to have children, might as well be in a lucky year.

The Korean newspaper Chosun reported that one Seoul hospital has seen pregnancy tests, which normally top out at 1,200 per month, jump to 1,500 in November.

Then there are parents who expressly plan not to have children in 2007 so their child won't face so much competition.

Some believe that getting married in this lunar year also is filled with good fortune. Wedding halls have seen as much as a 30 percent rise in bookings compared to previous years.

There are many who simply put this whole fortune-telling theory down to coffee talk. But whether they believe in the golden pig or not, I can tell you that on New Year's Day, most Koreans will get together with their families early in the morning dressed in hanbok (traditional clothing) or formally dressed at their parents' home, eating duk-gook as the first meal in the new year. The rice-cake soup is a very simple meal consisting of rice cakes in a broth topped with seaweed, slices of egg and small amounts of beef.

Almost all Korean restaurants have this dish year-round.

There are many different types of duk — varying in presentation, color and taste — but Koreans use the simplest form of duk to show humility. Koreans want to go into the new year with a humble and pure mindset.

Se-heh bok man-hee badu-seyo!

THIS WEEK’S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

EPISODES 49 AND 50

Tonight at 7: Michill's and Ilhan's happiness is short-lived when they argue over baby plans. Hanam receives Seolchill's message, and Seolchill heads back to Seoul. Shinja is irate when she sees Deokchill and Seontaek canoodling after work.

Tonight at 8: Jongchill breaks down when Taeja tells her about his draft notice. However, the two band together to tell Chansoon the bad news. But Chansoon doesn't take the news well. Chansoon criticizes Seolchill for coming home late.

'LOVER'

EPISODES 5 AND 6

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Sae-yeon decides to come home at his father's urging. Yu-jin is surprised to find Kang-jae and Miju reuniting. Miju and her father argue over the land. Miju is rejected from all prospective hospitals. Yang-geum and Miju drink.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Kang-jae warns Sae-yon not to play games. Miju finds out that the auction date is set for her land. Miju and Sae-yeon run into each other at Kang-jae's hotel. Mob boss Kang is stunned when attorney Kim informs him of the figure behind his failure to achieve management control.

'LOVE & AMBITION'

EPISODE 77

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m. (final episode): Tae-soo brings Aunt Paju home and asks her to stay with him. Eun-hwan tells Tae-soo how she feels about his recent blunt attitude toward her. Eun-hwan pours her heart out to Sun-hee. Mi-ja is offered a role in a play.

'GREEN ROSE'

EPISODES 13 AND 14

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Yoo-ran lures attorney Yoo upstairs to make way for Doong-wook and Choon-bok's safe getaway. Hyun-tae is told Yoo-ran was seen at the hotel where Joong-won is staying, and orders 24- hour surveillance of Joong-won. Joong-won appoints Soo-ah as his project partner.

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Joong-won questions attorney Yoo. Attorney Yoo buckles under pressure and gives him Hyun-tae's name. Yoo-ran sneaks into Hyun-tae's house. Yoo-ran asks Joong-won if he could give up on revenge and live as Joong-won.