Korean soaps — K-dramas, as we call them — are different than American soaps.

K-dramas are more conservative, revolving several story lines around a family with members ranging from grandparents to grandchildren. The programs often focus on traditional values.

In one K-drama, for example, a story line may be about the son of a wealthy family who is forbidden to love or marry a girl who comes from a different social class.

You don't need to speak Korean to enjoy the story lines. Many of our viewers, in fact, can't speak the language. Each show has English subtitles, and following along is easy.

We air several soaps on KBFD, but the four main K-dramas are "Ode to the Han River," "Sad Love Story," "Spring Days" and "Emperor of the Sea."

K-drama fans rarely miss a day once they discover the story lines.

Many people think K-dramas are for older, Asian viewers, and that's only half right. Viewers of all ages tune in.

Why? Maybe the shows appeal to people of diverse ethnic Asian backgrounds in our community, or maybe it's the attractive actors and actresses. Perhaps it's the dramatic story lines that keep you hanging on for the next episode. Or, just maybe, the conservative, traditional Asian values on display hold appeal.

Whatever the reason, K-dramas are growing in popularity around the world.

Starting today, we'll provide weekly synopses to help you climb on board the K-drama train.

Here's a look at the four main soaps.

"Ode to the Han River"

Sundays, 7 and 8 p.m.

• 7 p.m. Ga-young and Joon-ho are under pressure to start a family. Ryul asks Jae-hyuk to take some fruit and wine to Ga-young's mother.

Joon-ho finds out and gets upset when Ga-young lies about who brought the fruit and wine and gets into a fight with Ga-young.

• 8 p.m. Na-young shows Kang-su around Ryul's office. Jae-hyuk walks in on them and chases Kang-su out and confesses his feelings for Na-young. Jae-hyun finds out Na-young's sister is the one who broke his brother's heart and Ga-young and Joon-ho get into a fight over Ga-young's business trip.

"Sad Love Story"

Shows such as "Sad Love Story," which airs Monday and Tuesday at 7:50 p.m., appeal to people of diverse ethnic Asian backgrounds.

• Monday: Gun-woo's suspicion deepens as Joon-kyu refuses to send Hae-in back to him, saying he'll only make her unhappy. Furious, Gun-woo throws punches at Joon-kyu and Hae-in takes all the blame on herself to stop the fight. Sensing Hae-in's undying love for Joon-kyu, Gun-woo tortures Hae-win with his jealous rage.

• Tuesday: Joon-kyu and Hae-in are reunited at their secret hideout. Hae-in tells Joon-kyu she'll go on with her life away from both Joon-kyu and Gun-woo. But Joon-kyu's plea moves her to admit she can't live without him. In the meantime, Gun-woo desperately searches for Hae-in.

"Spring Days"

"Spring Days" is shown Wednesday and Thursday at 7:50 p.m. K-dramas are growing in popularity around the world.

• Wednesday: Eun-ho asks Jung-eun if the reason she wants to break up with him is Eun-sub.

Jung-eun tells him she owes Eun-sub a debt of gratitude and that it weighs very heavily on her. To come up with ransom for Kyung-ah, Eun-sub asks his mother for money and tells her he'd do anything she tells him in return.

• Thursday: Eun-ho professes his love for Jung-eun, but she tells him she doesn't love him.

In despair, Eun-ho drinks himself into a stupor with Min-jung, and wakes up next morning to find Min-jung by his side.

"Emperor of the Sea"

Friday and Saturday, 7:50 p.m.

• Friday: Goong-bok lets Yum Moon go free at Jung-hwa's plea.

Jung-hwa tells Goong-bok it was Yum Moon who saved his life when he was shot by a poisoned throwing star. After fleeing from Yangzhou, Yi Do-hyung and Yum Moon decide to become Yi Sa-do's military merchants. Master Sul sees potential in Goong-bok to become a great merchant and decides to train him in business.

• Saturday: Tang government asks the Sul Pyong group to breach Yi Sa-do's blockade and deliver provisions to Chang'an. Yum Moon is asked to assassinate the regent of the Tang government as a task before becoming Yi Sa-do's military merchant, and returns to Yangzhou to accomplish the task.