More New Year's photos

Cuban Wushu Association dancers perform during the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig.(AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

Taimi Diaz Chong puts on make-up before the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb.17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

Revelers watch as fireworks explode over the city hall of Fredriksberg, Denmark Saturday Feb. 17, 2007 during celebrations for the Chinese New Year. The year of the Pig begins Sunday.(AP Photo/John McConnico)

Worshippers pray during a special service at the start of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Shanghai February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA)

A worshipper prays during a special service at the start of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Shanghai February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA)

Worshipers offer incense during a special service at the start of the Lunar New Year at a temple in Shanghai February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA)

A worshipper holds joss sticks at the Guan Yin temple in Singapore February 18, 2007. Worshippers gather every Chinese Lunar New Year eve at the temple with hopes to be the first person to offer joss sticks when the clock strikes midnight. The custom is believed to bring prosperity and luck for the new year. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (SINGAPORE)

Worshippers light joss sticks at the Guan Yin temple in Singapore February 18, 2007. Worshippers gather every Chinese Lunar New Year eve at the temple with hopes to be the first person to offer joss sticks when the clock strikes midnight. The custom is believed to bring prosperity and luck for the new year. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (SINGAPORE)

Worshippers light up incense sticks and pray in a temple to welcome the Lunar New Year in the early hours of Sunday, Feb.18, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. The new year, commemorating the 'Year of the Pig,' falls on Feb. 18. The Year of the Pig will see more epidemics, natural disasters and international conflicts as it was seen in other years of the pig, Chinese soothsayers in Asia predicted. (Ap Photo)

Worshippers light up incense sticks in a temple to welcome the Lunar New Year in the early hours of Sunday, Feb.18, 2007, in Taipei, Taiwan. The new year , commemorating the 'Year of the Pig,' falls on Feb. 18. The Year of the Pig will see more epidemics, natural disasters and international conflicts as it was seen in other years of the pig, Chinese soothsayers in Asia predicted. (AP Photo)

A man walks in front of a temple on the eve of Lunar New Year in Kuala Lumpur February 17, 2007. The ethnic Chinese community in Malaysia will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Sunday. REUTERS/Zainal Abd Halim (MALAYSIA)

Workers string up red lanterns to decorate an exhibition center in Hangzhou for the upcoming spring festival in eastern China's Zhejiang province Friday Feb. 16 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo)

Indonesian ethnic Chinese light incense sticks during Lunar New Year celebration at a temple in the China town in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. (AP/Dita Alangkara)

Chinese performers prepare to re-enact an ancient ceremony to welcome the new year at the spring festival temple fair opening of the Ditan park in Beijing, China Saturday Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

A small dancing pig is put out for sale at the spring festival temple fair in Ditan park, Beijing, China Saturday Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Chinese performers re-enact an ancient ceremony to welcome the new year at the spring festival temple fair opening of the Ditan park in Beijing, China Saturday Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Chinese drummers perform in front of a giant lamp made from small traditional lanterns at the spring festival temple fair opening of the Ditan park in Beijing, China Saturday Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

An Indonesian worker prepares giant candles in a Chinese temple for the coming celebration of the Lunar New Year in Jakarta February 17, 2007. The ethnic Chinese community in the world's most populous Muslim nation will celebrate the Lunar New Year on Sunday. REUTERS/Supri (INDONESIA)

A dragon decoration is displayed at a park to celebrate Chinese New Year in Guangzhou, in southern China's Guangdong province February 16, 2007. Chinese around the world are preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Pig on February 18. Picture taken February 16, 2007. CHINA OUT REUTERS/Joe Tan (CHINA)

A child feeds money to a Chinese lion for prosperity in the new year, during celebrations in the streets of Chinatown in Honolulu to welcome in the year of the boar, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Ronen Zilberman)

Members of a local Chinese dance troop take part in a dragon dance during a parade in Chinatown on the eve of Chinese New Year in Manila February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES)

A worker arranges Chinese lucky charms at a shop in Chinatown on the eve of Chinese New Year in Manila February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES)

Maxima Tiu explains the significance of the three laughing pigs inside her shop selling different kinds of Chinese charms on the eve of the celebration of Chinese New Year Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 in Manila's Chinatown district. Chinese all over the world celebrates the Year of the Fire Pig which in their belief will bring more luck and prosperity in their business. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Chinese Cambodians perform a dragon dance to celebrate Chinese New Year in Phnom Penh February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

A lion dance is performed in front of the royal palace to celebrate Chinese New Year in Phnom Penh February 17, 2007. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Women browse through a variety of red lanterns at a stall in Jakarta, ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Public displays of Chinese culture and religious practices were banned under the three-decade rule of former dictator Suharto, who stepped down in 1998. The discriminatory law was overturned in 2000 and the Chinese community is rediscovering its traditions.(AFP/Jewel Samad)

Women browse through a variety of red lanterns at a stall in Jakarta, ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Public displays of Chinese culture and religious practices were banned under the three-decade rule of former dictator Suharto, who stepped down in 1998. The discriminatory law was overturned in 2000 and the Chinese community is rediscovering its traditions.(AFP/Jewel Samad)

A puppet master performs at a shopping mall decorated with red lanterns in Jakarta, ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations. The red lanterns, believed to date back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD), are widely recognized as a symbol of good luck. Public displays of Chinese culture and religious practices were banned under the three-decade rule of former dictator Suharto, who stepped down in 1998. The discriminatory law was overturned in 2000 and the Chinese community is rediscovering its traditions.(AFP/Jewel Samad)

Women preparing food at a temple fair to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Beijing. The Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings and indulgence in traditional fare but in Hong Kong and much of Asia this year, almost all the meals on the festive table have been declared a health hazard.(AFP/File/Peter Parks)

A woman delivering a tray of cooked food to customers in downtown Hanoi. The Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings and indulgence in traditional fare but in Hong Kong and much of Asia this year, almost all the meals on the festive table have been declared a health hazard.(AFP/File/Hoang Dinh Nam)

People eat at a traditional road side cooked food stall in Hong Kong. The Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings and indulgence in traditional fare but in Hong Kong and much of Asia this year, almost all the meals on the festive table have been declared a health hazard.(AFP/File/Mike Clarke)

Happy New Year!

Lunar New Year, that is. This year is the year of the pig.

A man pretends to 'feed' his son to a Chinese Dragon in London's China town district during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations February 18, 2007. China will usher in the 'Year of the Pig' on February 18, according to the lunar calendar. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor (BRITAIN)

A worker arranges inflatable pig balloons, part of Chinese Lunar New Year decorations to celebrate Spring Festival, at a park in Beijing February 17, 2007. China will usher in the 'Year of the Pig' on February 18, according to the lunar calendar. (Claro Cortes IV/Reuters)


Visitors walk past a pig shape lanterns for Chinese New Year celebrations Sunday Feb. 18, 2007, in Shanghai, China. According to the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, the year 2007 marks the year of the pig which started from today. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A young visitor looks at lanterns for Chinese New Year celebrations Sunday Feb. 18, 2007, in Shanghai, China. According to the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, the year 2007 marks the year of the pig which started from today. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Dancers from Guizhou in China dance as they parade through the street of London in a celebration of Chinese New Year, the 'Year of the Pig', Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

A Chinese boy sits on a stone sculpture of a mythical creature as Chinese faithful pray and burn incense at the Lama Temple in Beijing Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Asians flocked to temples, parks and Disneyland on Sunday to pray, play, eat, and celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Pig. (AP Photo)

Fireworks light up the skyline in downtown Guiyang in southwest China's Guizhou province, Sunday Feb. (AP)

A participant dressed in a 'pig' outfit parades, amongst others, through the street of London in a celebration of Chinese New Year, the 'Year of the Pig', Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

A young visitor looks at lanterns for Chinese New Year celebrations Sunday Feb. 18, 2007, in Shanghai, China. According to the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, the year 2007 marks the year of the pig which started today. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)


Rockets shoot into the sky after midnight to celebrate the Lunar New Year in front of Beijing's ancient Bell Tower. Lunar New Year has started with a bang as China's 1.3 billion population ushered in the Year of the Pig with food, drink and massive firework displays.(AFP/Frederic J. Brown)

Daoist monks look after a shrine where Chinese faithful pray and burn incense at the White Cloud Temple in Beijing Sunday Feb. 18, 2007. Asians flocked to temples, parks and Disneyland on Sunday to pray, play, eat, and celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Pig. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Chinese children carry a dragon mask during Lunar New Year celebrations in Calcutta, India, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Ethnic Chinese community Sunday celebrated the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Chinese year of the Pig. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Foreigners slice rice cake during an event for experiencing Korean culture at a village of traditional Korean-style houses in central Seoul on the first day of the new lunar year February 18, 2007. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA)

Girls wearing traditional Korean dress play around a stage before a public performance at a village of traditional Korean-style house in central Seoul on the first day of the new lunar year February 18, 2007. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA)

A child hangs a piece of paper with her name and wish written on it, at a village of traditional Korean-style houses in central Seoul on the first day of the new Lunar year February 18, 2007. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA)

A woman sits with a fortune-teller outside a temple in Shanghai during the Lunar New Year February 18, 2007. Chinese around the world welcome the Lunar New Year which is believed to be an especially auspicious 'golden pig year', which only comes around every 60 years. REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA)

An ethnic Indonesian Chinese girl carrying incense walks in a flooded temple in Jakarta February 18, 2007. Chinese around the world welcomed the Lunar New Year which is believed to be an especially auspicious 'golden pig year', which only comes around every 60 years. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA)

A man dressed as Chinese 'God of Fortune' hands out red packets with 'lucky money' in them outside a shopping mall to celebrate the first day of the Chinese new year in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Handing out lucky money is traditional practice based on helping out poor people to equally celebrate the New Year. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A man dressed as Chinese 'God of Fortune' and other people react to firecrackers as they celebrate the first day of the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A lion dancer performs on the eve of the Lunar New Year in front of Beijing's ancient Bell Tower, one of Chinese capital's few remaining ancient buildings, as China celebrates the Spring Festival starting 18 February with the "Year of the Pig".(AFP/Frederic J.Brown)

Passersby walk under the canopy of peach blossom decoration outside a shopping mall as people go out on the first day of the Chinese new year in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

People walk on stilts during a performance at Longtanhu temple fair in Beijing February 18, 2007. Chinese around the world on Sunday welcomed the Lunar New Year which is believed to be an especially auspicious 'golden pig year', which only comes around every 60 years. CHINA OUT REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA)

Ethnic Indonesian Chinese hold incense sticks during prayers at a temple in Jakarta on February 18, 2007. The ethnic Chinese community in the world's most populous Muslim nation celebrate the Lunar New Year on Sunday. REUTERS/Supri (INDONESIA)

Tibetan Buddhist monks blow conch-shells at a morning prayer session marking the beginning of 'Losar' or the Tibetan new year, in Dharmsala, India, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. The festivities will continue for the next fortnight. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Worshippers burn incense at the Longtou Temple in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on the first day of the new Chinese lunar year February 18, 2007. Chinese around the world welcomed the Lunar New Year which is believed to be an especially auspicious 'golden pig year', which only comes around every 60 years. CHINA OUT (China Daily/Reuters)

A child plays with lion dancers while their performance at a temple during the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Worldwide Ethnic Chinese Chinese is celebrates Lunar New Year, the 'Year of the Pig on Feb. 18. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A Mongolian man leans his head against Buddhist flags during a sunrise ceremony to invoke good fortune on the first day of the lunar new year near Bagakhangai, Mongolia, February 18, 2007. According to the lunar calendar, 2007 is the year of the golden pig. REUTERS/Luke Distelhorst (MONGOLIA)

Ethnic Chinese walk underneath the lanterns on display at a temple during the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. Worldwide Ethnic Chinese Chinese celebrates Lunar New Year, the 'Year of the Pig on Feb. 18. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A worshipper touches a relief of a pig at the Bai Yun Guan or White Cloud Temple in Beijing on the first day of the new Chinese lunar year February 18, 2007. Chinese around the world welcome the Lunar New Year which is believed to be an especially auspicious ?golden pig year?, which only comes around every 60 years. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA)

A Mongolian Buddhist monk prays during a sunrise ceremony to invoke good fortune on the first day of the lunar new year near Bagakhangai, Mongolia, February 18, 2007. According to the lunar calendar, 2007 is the year of the golden pig. REUTERS/Luke Distelhorst (MONGOLIA)

A boy places a spiral joss stick at a temple in Kuala Lumpur February 18, 2007. The ethnic Chinese community in Malaysia celebrated the Lunar New Year to usher in the year of the pig on Sunday. REUTERS/Zainal Abd Halim (MALAYSIA)

A Chinese reveler lights up flares next to a sculpture in the likeness of a pig during the traditional New Year celebrations in Beijing, China Sunday Feb. 18, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday and marks the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Fireworks, traditionally known as a Chinese invention, form an integral and noisy part of the country's most important festival. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

A Chinese child lights up a flare during the traditional New Year celebrations as midnight approaches in Beijing, China Saturday Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday and marks the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Fireworks, traditionally known as a Chinese invention, form an integral and noisy part of the country's most important festival. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)

Chinese revelers, standing among the remnants of firecrackers, look up as fireworks explode during the traditional New Year celebrations, Beijing, China Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday and marks the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Fireworks, traditionally known as a Chinese invention, form an integral and noisy part of the country's most important festival. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)


Children from the Cuban Wushu Association stand next to the Chinese Dragon during the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb.17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano) [umm, that's a lion]

Cuban Wushu Association dancers take a break before the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

A dancer of the Cuban Wushu Association performs during the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

Dancers from the Cuban Wushu Association perform during the ceremony to welcome the Chinese New Year in Havana, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on Sunday to usher in the year of the pig.(AP Photo/Javier Galeano)

Tteokguk: It's no New Year Without It

'Han' Plan to Revitalize Korea Culture

Koreans who wear Hanbok or traditional costume may get into museums and other major cultural institutions for free under a grand strategy designed to revitalize Korean style and traditions. The government would also set up a Korean Cuisine Academy next year to invite and educate chefs from Korean restaurants overseas. Ten ministries including culture and tourism agreed the ¡°Han¡± plan on Thursday. It includes strategies to boost the status and global profile of six areas: Hangul (Korean language), Hansik (cuisine), Hanbok (clothing), Hanok (Korean architecture), Hanji (traditional paper) and Korean music.

An article about "Beauties Chatterbox": Foreign Beauties Primp on Television for Sollal

Leslie Benfield, second from left, and Lu-vada Dunford, far right, pose with two other ¡°Beauties Chatterbox¡± guests while filming the show¡¯s Sollal special to air on Sunday./Courtesey of Beauties Chatterbox


Traditional Performances to Celebrate Lunar New Year
By Chung Ah-youngStaff Reporter

Why Young Singers Love Korea's Oldest Pop Genre
An article on trot music, with a mention of singer Jang Yoon-jeong, whose singing was introduced to me by Mr. Joshua Snyder. (wiki on trot)

(From her KBS profile)
Apparently she will tour Japan this year. Wow, she has a live concert dvd out.

SHG as Hwang Jin Yi

From Soompi: