Although some linguists consider the Korean alphabet the most simple to learn, the system of speaking honorifics to one another is one of the most complicated. Learning the Korean language is one thing, but the proper application is another entirely.

I was in South Korea recently and met up with some friends. Because we were all the same age, I assumed our manner of speech would be very informal.

However, one friend, named Chong, spoke to another friend, Yong, in an honorific manner, which puzzled me. I asked for an explanation and they told me that Yong had gone to school a year earlier than Chong. The school year in South Korea starts in March and ends in December, basically coinciding with the lunar calendar; therefore the months of January and February are actually November and December of the previous lunar year. Children born in January and February are considered the class of the previous year and would be enrolled in school with children who are born a year earlier (are you with me?). It is during high school that the rigorous regimen of upperclassman and underclassman honorifics is exercised.

In the work environment, employees speak to their supervisors using honorifics.

What would happen if your supervisor was your underclassman in high school? The answer: During work, both would speak formally to one another; and outside of the work environment, the supervisor would have to speak in honorifics while the upperclassman has the right to speak informally.

What would happen if there were two daughters-in-law in a family, one a high school upperclassman (second daughter- in-law) and the other an underclassman (first daughter-in-law)? The first daughter-in-law has the right to speak informally to the second daughter-in-law by family hierarchy, but the second daughter-in-law may feel that she has the right to speak informally because she is the upperclassman (from her high school days). The family structure precedes the high school structure. Therefore, the first daughter-in-law, although younger, has the right to speak informally to the second daughter-in-law. But the most amicable situation would be where both women would speak formally to one another.

My older brother's wife is three years younger than me. But because she is my older brother's wife, I speak formally to her, and she does me. When in doubt, speak formally.

Many Korean comedies and other programs play off the fiascos that arise from complicated honorifics. If you are learning Korean and are confused about the honorifics, it's always safe to speak honorifically to one another.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

EPISODES 71 AND 72

Tonight at 7: Seolchill's heart breaks when she sees Michill on her knees, scrubbing floors. Michill tries to leave the hospital in the middle of the night.

Tonight at 8: Michill gets a surprise visit from her father. But contrary to her expectation, her father comforts her with warm words. Yangpal is overcome with pride when he hears neighbors praising Michill. Taeja suggests his mother go on a blind date.

'SURGEON BONG'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Dal-hee saves a man in an emergency situation. Joong-geun orders her to come into the OR with him, and she decides to report back to work. Taking Moon-kyong's advice, Joonb-geun is nice to Dal-hee.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Joong-geun is devastated when Dal-hee is taken into surgery. Kun-wook tells Dr. Lee Hyun-tak something about Joong-geun.

'TO MY LOVE'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Suk-ju is the second oldest of five orphaned siblings. He works at Sung Ju Pictures and is blissfully in love with Suh-young. They are not married but are anticipating the birth of their first child. Jung-min is the privileged daughter of the chairman of Sung Ju Pictures. Suk-ju and Jung-min have a fateful encounter when they get into a fender-bender.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: For Jung-min it's love at first sight when she and Suk-ju get in an accident. She uses the incident as an excuse to keep in touch with him.

'CRAZY FOR LOVE'

EPISODES 1 AND 2

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Aeronautical engineer Jin-young and pilot Jae-hun are madly in love and about to get married. However, Jae-hun's best friend, Hyun-chul, has a crush on Jin-young. Min-hee is a girl from a poor single-parent family who is loved by Chae-jun, an orphan. On a fateful New Year's Eve, the lives of these people intertwine.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-jun goes to prison for vehicular manslaughter when he runs over Jae-hun. Hyun-chul, unable to cope with his best friend's death, leaves for America. Min-hee realizes her dream of becoming a flight attendant. Upon his release, Chae-jun sees a help-wanted ad for airplane mechanics.