In South Korea, people in agriculture are giving up the soil-and-toil life for a shot at making it big in the city. With fewer government subsidies and competitive import pricing, farmers are looking for a new life.

But there's another issue underlying the country-to-town trend: Women don't want to marry a farmer.

Korean farmers and rural dwellers are having a difficult time finding Korean brides. Korean women prefer city men. The reasons could stem from the prospect of better educational opportunities for children, financial security, the modern lifestyle and job opportunities. Or maybe women just find that there are more men to choose from in cities.

Regardless, Korean farm men are going to neighboring Asian countries to find mates. Now the children of these international marriages are facing discrimination in schools. Looking different from their classmates, multicultural children are alienated and are becoming troubled children.

The phenomenon is making headlines in South Korea. And last year, the Korean film "Wedding Campaign" featured a Korean farmer who goes with his buddy to Kazakhstan in search of a wife. He ends up meeting the beautiful Su-ae ("Emperor of the Sea," "Once in a Summer") who turns out to be a North Korean who has defected.

Last week, KBFD aired the two-part drama series "Gang-geum," which addressed this very topic. Gang-geum was born to a Korean father who married a non-Korean woman. His skin tone was much darker than that of most other kids. Alienated in school and dealing with harsh societal judgments, the child develops a poor self- image. He hates Korea and constantly gets into fights at school, becoming a burden to his father. The story ends as he comes to understand and accept his life for what it is. His father, just out of jail, builds a better relationship with his child and through family love, the story ends on a happy note.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'DEAR LOVER'

EPISODES 15 AND 16

Tonight at 7: Dong-woo is furious when he learns who is the father of baby Mi-hee. Ae-young tells everyone about her and Dong-woo's relationship. Dong-woo resigns from his teaching job and disappears.

Tonight at 8: When Jae-in finds out that Dong-woo is in a hospital, she calls Ae-young. Jae-in moves out of the house with Mi-hee. After being released from the hospital, Dong-woo refuses to live at the place Ae-young found for her, and leaves.

'THANK YOU'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: So-ran discovers Gi-suh has left the hospital. Bom finds Gu-suh outside her window. Young-shin invites Gi-suh for dinner, and Gi-suh ends up staying the night.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: Young-shin and Bom come home to find the mess Mr. Lee made of Young-shin's vanity table. Bom yells at him, but Young-shin asks him to do her makeup.

'MONEY WAR'

EPISODES 3 AND 4

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Nara deposits the money in the bank with Ju-hee's help. Nara asks Docko Chul to lend him money to help his sister, but he refuses. Instead, he gives him $10 and tells him to go work for Ma Dong-po.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Nara stops Ju-hee and In-hyuk's wedding and makes off with gift money. The wedding is called off, and In-hyuk's mother slaps Ju-hee's father with wedding expenses. Docko Chul takes Nara to Madam Bong's party.

'BLUE FISH'

EPISODES 11 AND 12

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Dong-hyuk tells Eun-su to stay home and out of danger. Hyun-wu expresses his concern over Jo Dong-man, but Dong-hyuk tells him to stay out of his family affairs. Hyun-wu tells Eun-hae there was another attempt to kidnap Eun-su.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Dong-hyuk shows off Eun-su at events like a trophy wife. Hyun-wu's father tells Hyun-wu not to hurt Yoon-jung, who took care of him when he was injured in an accident. The pain in Eun-su's wrists gets worse.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD, which televises Korean dramas. If you have a K-drama question or comment, reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.