Trends in South Korea are often sparked by popular K-dramas. Hit dramas that reach ratings of more than 50 percent have been known to spark millions of dollars in business.

Korean dramas are more widely watched than movies or other media, so they have a bigger impact on society and have kicked off trends in lingo, fashion, makeup, food, health, travel and lifestyle.

Comedy shows are known for kicking off catch phrases. When a comedian comes up with a perfect turn of phrase, it can become the thing to say for several months — or at least until another takes its place.

Right now, it's trendy in South Korea to speak in the old-style Korean of the dynasty periods, thanks to the popularity of the historical dramas "Chumong" and "Dae Jo Young."

Korean dramas set fashion trends — anything from a necklace (the Polaris from "Winter Sonata") to a hair band (Kim Hee Sun's in "Tomato").

People view drama stars as their guides to the latest fashions. You can walk into a hair salon in Seoul and ask them to do your hair like Jang Dong Gun, and they will know exactly what you are looking for.

If you're shopping in the East Gate area of Seoul, you will find shops selling the style of jeans that Ha Ji Won wore in "Something Happens in Bali," or Lee Young Ae's outfit from the movie "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance."

Men, too, follow dramas to check out watches and clothes. For a while, it was cool to have the glasses and hairstyle that Bae Yong Joon sported in "Winter Sonata."

Watches are hot for men: I remember when Bulgari was the watch to wear. Nearly all the stars wore them in the dramas. Then the next big boom was Franck Muller watches. This lasted for a few years. If you're still wearing a Franck Muller timepiece, you're behind the times. It's tough for stars — they to keep up an image, but not all of them can afford to keep a large inventory of luxury watches or bags. (I've heard many tend to use knock-offs instead of the real thing.)

The manufacturers who can produce an in-demand trend item the quickest can become millionaires overnight.

And it's not just things. Some background: People are no longer having many children. In South Korea, the average number of children per household is down to 1.3. The high cost of raising children has become a deterrent for many young couples who now prefer to have one child. It's more about the couple and having more financial freedom to travel and offer the child more opportunities.

So healthy living has become a trend as families' spending power grows. Organic-food supermarkets have popped up in many neighborhoods, and with them higher prices. Housewives often discuss what foods are good for a healthier lifestyle and share ideas.

"Vitamin" on KBS (Korea Broadcasting System), a 60-minute weekly show, focused on one food and its health benefits. Its ratings are almost on par with popular dramas. On one show, cabbage was highlighted as the key for people who suffer from heartburn and acid reflux. The next day, cabbage completely sold out in grocery stores.

"Vitamin" can be seen with English subtitles on KBFD at 6:50 p.m. Fridays.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'INFAMOUS CHILL SISTERS'

Episodes 79 and 80

Tonight at 7: Myungja tries to drag Michill home when she finds out she's pregnant, but Michill won't budge. Furious, Myungja storms into Ilhan's office. Seontak's girls are finally warming up to Deokchill, but Shinja tearfully tells Seongtak that Deokchill is driving her and her daughters apart.

Tonight at 8: Ilhan looks for Michill in a snowstorm when he hears Michill is missing. Hanam is busy preparing to leave to study abroad. Seolchill feels queasy and decides to see a doctor to find out if she's pregnant.

'WITCH MA'

Episodes 1 and 2

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: Ma Yu-hee, an only daughter of a wealthy businessman, seems perfect. She's smart, beautiful and a successful businesswoman herself. However, she is feared by her employees, and rejected by every man she meets on blind dates. Chae Mu-ryong is a med-school dropout who dreams of becoming a French chef. The unlikely duo cross paths when Mu-ryong goes on a blind date with Yu-hee as a favor to a friend.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Yu-hee and Mu-ryong get into a contract to change Yu-hee's non-existent love life. Mu-ryong lies to his family that he's going abroad to study when in fact he moves in with Yu-hee to become her live-in maid and a love coach.

'TO MY LOVE'

Episodes 9 and 12

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Suk-ju admits to Suh-young that he had an affair as he contemplates leaving her for the well-to-do Jung-min. Sang-min rolls out the red-carpet treatment for Suh-young, even providing her with a posh office where she can do her writing.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Jung-min pays a visit to Suk-ju's family, notifying them of her intent to be with Suk-ju and leaving them an envelope with $300,000. Jung-min's father, when told that she plans to be with a man with a child, is furious as his own experience tells him how tragic such decision can be.

'CRAZY FOR LOVE'

Episodes 9 and 10

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Hyeon-cheol finds out Chae-jun was responsible for Jae-hun's death. He vows to keep this fact a secret from Jin-young in order to protect her. Jin-young, totally unaware of an impending disaster, invites Chae-jun to a dinner celebrating Jae-hun's mother's birthday.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Chae-jun shows up as Jin-young's new boyfriend to Jae-hun's mother's birthday dinner. Jae-hun's mother faints from the shock of seeing the man responsible for her son's death. To Jin-young's confusion, Chae-jun unexpectedly says he wants to break up. However, Jin-young finds out the real reason behind everyone's bizarre behavior when she discovers a letter while waiting for Chae-jun at his place.