K-drama refers to popular TV dramas produced in Korea.

K-drama started to gain popularity in China in the mid-1990s and has gained widespread popularity since Winter Sonata was broadcast on NHK, the Japanese national TV, in 2003 unleashing Yonsama (referring to Bae Yong-joon, the main male character) fever. Various K-dramas have been aired in many countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. K-drama features a well-told story, good acting and the portrayal of various aspects of Korean culture.

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Korean Court Cuisine

The kings of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) ate special dishes in accordance with strictly defined social classes. The royal meal was called surasang, which included a dozen dishes, exclusive of meat, stews and kimchi. Gujeolpan (a colorful platter of eight julienned vegetables and beef, served with crepes) and sinseollo (a colorful assortment of pan-fried delicacies, in a clear stock kept hot in a chafing dish at the table) are the best-known royal foods. Full-course Korean meals today are rooted in this tradition and include dozens of side dishes.

Jewel in the Palace

Jewel in the Palace produced by MBC in 2003 is a television drama that told the story of young woman named Janggeum, a court cook who earned the trust of King Jungjong (r. 1506-1544) of the Joseon Kingdom and eventually became a royal physician. It has been aired on TV in more than 90 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and the United States, gaining great popularity worldwide. When IRIB, the Iranian state TV, broadcast the drama in 2007 and 2008, it received a viewer rating of 86 percent. The detailed introduction to Korean cuisine and traditional medicine triggered an interest in Korean diet and health food.

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a court cook who earned the trust of King Jungjong (r. 1506-1544) of the Joseon Kingdom and eventually became a royal physician. It has been aired on TV in more than 90 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and the United States, gaining great popularity worldwide. When IRIB, the Iranian state TV, broadcast the drama in 2007 and 2008, it received a viewer rating of 86 percent. The detailed introduction to Korean cuisine and traditional medicine triggered an interest in Korean diet and health food.

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Korean Court Cuisine

The kings of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) ate special dishes in accordance with strictly defined social classes. The royal meal was called surasang, which included a dozen dishes, exclusive of meat, stews and kimchi. Gujeolpan (a colorful platter of eight julienned vegetables and beef, served with crepes) and sinseollo (a colorful assortment of pan-fried delicacies, in a clear stock kept hot in a chafing dish at the table) are the best-known royal foods. Full-course Korean meals today are rooted in this tradition and include dozens of side dishes.

1 January 2013

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Taekwondo
Taekwondo is an internationally recognized sport originating from Korea. It is a self-defense and combat martial art, which uses hands and legs, yet emphasizes mental discipline as well. During the modern era, it has developed into a competitive sport. The 1st World Taekwondo Championships held in Seoul in 1973 heralded its full globalization. Taekwondo was adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an official event of the Olympic Games at the General Assembly on July 17, 1980.

Jumong
Jumong, produced by MBC, is an epic drama series portraying the life of Jumong, known by his posthumous name Dongmyeong Seongwang, founding king of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-660 CE). This drama gained great popularity throughout Asia, including Central Asia and the Middle East. Particularly in Iran, it was very popular with an 85 percent viewer rating. Song Il-guk, who played the title role, became the most beloved Hallyu star in Central Asia, and Han Hye-jin, who played the heroine, gained popularity throughout the Middle East and the Arab world.

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founding king of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-660 CE). This drama gained great popularity throughout Asia, including Central Asia and the Middle East. Particularly in Iran, it was very popular with an 85 percent viewer rating. Song Il-guk, who played the title role, became the most beloved Hallyu star in Central Asia, and Han Hye-jin, who played the heroine, gained popularity throughout the Middle East and the Arab world.

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Taekwondo
Taekwondo is an internationally recognized sport originating from Korea. It is a self-defense and combat martial art, which uses hands and legs, yet emphasizes mental discipline as well. During the modern era, it has developed into a competitive sport. The 1st World Taekwondo Championships held in Seoul in 1973 heralded its full globalization. Taekwondo was adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as an official event of the Olympic Games at the General Assembly on July 17, 1980.

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2013 March
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Seoul
A tour of Korea usually begins in Seoul, the capital city. Seoul itself is a significant cultural asset. Rich historical sites of palaces and city walls can be found in the center. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of Korean tradition and culture of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) in the streets and alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village. On the other hand, Insadong and Myeongdong as well as Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets offer various shopping choices. The Moon That Embraces the Sun The Hongdae Sinchon, Daehangno and Itaewon are popular areas for young people. The Moon area, That Embraces the Sun is a court romance that portrays a poignant love story between Yi Hwon,
a fictional king and Wol, a female shaman, set in the Joseon Kingdom. Broadcast by MBC in January 2012, it shows the genuine love between two young people who fell in love for the first time and stresses the philosophy that everything must be in the right place.

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a fictional king and Wol, a female shaman, set in the Joseon Kingdom. Broadcast by MBC in January 2012, it shows the genuine love between two young people who fell in love for the first time and stresses the philosophy that everything must be in the right place.

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Seoul
A tour of Korea usually begins in Seoul, the capital city. Seoul itself is a significant cultural asset. Rich historical sites of palaces and city walls can be found in the center. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of Korean tradition and culture of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) in the streets and alleys of Bukchon Hanok Village. On the other hand, Insadong and Myeongdong as well as Namdaemun and Dongdaemun markets offer various shopping choices. The Hongdae area, Sinchon, Daehangno and Itaewon are popular areas for young people.

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2013 April
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Arirang
"Arirang" is a traditional folk song that best represents Korean sentiments. There are many different versions in Korea and even in overseas Korean communities. Three of the best known in Korea are "Jeongseon Arirang," "Miryang Arirang" and "Jindo Arirang." In November 2012, a subpanel of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recommended the listing of Arirang as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

You're Beautiful
You're Beautiful is a drama about love and conflict among the members of a teen idol group. It was aired on SBS in October 2009 and gained great popularity in Japan and China. Jang Keun-suk obtained explosive popularity in Japan, and a Japanese remake of the drama was released there. It was the top ranking Hallyu DVD rental in Japan during 2010.

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It was aired on SBS in October 2009 and gained great popularity in Japan and China. Jang Keun-suk obtained explosive popularity in Japan, and a Japanese remake of the drama was released there. It was the top ranking Hallyu DVD rental in Japan during 2010.

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Arirang
"Arirang" is a traditional folk song that best represents Korean sentiments. There are many different versions in Korea and even in overseas Korean communities. Three of the best known in Korea are "Jeongseon Arirang," "Miryang Arirang" and "Jindo Arirang." In November 2012, a subpanel of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recommended the listing of Arirang as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

4 April 2013

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Nature in Korea
Korean natural scenery can be summed up in the expression "Geumsugangsan" which means a "land embroidered with rivers and mountains. The mild climate makes it possible for numerous flowers and trees to flourish. Mountains have graceful shapes and rivers flow through the plains. In winter, snow falls and rivers freeze over so people enjoy skating and skiing. Shining Inheritance
The heroine of Shining Inheritance had a difficult life due to the downfall of her family and a brother who went missing. She then inherits wealth from an old lady whom she accidentally met and starts a new life. Aired on SBS in 2009, it portrays the transformation of an icy male character into a warm-hearted man because of her. It won the Platinum Remi award for a full-length TV series at the 44th Houston International Film Festival in June 2011.

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She then inherits wealth from an old lady whom she accidentally met and starts a new life. Aired on SBS in 2009, it portrays the transformation of an icy male character into a warm-hearted man because of her. It won the Platinum Remi award for a full-length TV series at the 44th Houston International Film Festival in June 2011.

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Nature in Korea
Korean natural scenery can be summed up in the expression "Geumsugangsan" which means a "land embroidered with rivers and mountains. The mild climate makes it possible for numerous flowers and trees to flourish. Mountains have graceful shapes and rivers flow through the plains. In winter, snow falls and rivers freeze over so people enjoy skating and skiing.

5 May 2013

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Korean Medicine
Traditional Korean medicine includes acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine. Traditional medical treatments feature natural methods based on harmony between yin and yang. Korea's Western hospitals have very high standards, and its medical technology continues to evolve. Many patients and physicians visit Korea for medical treatment and training.

Huh Joon
Huh Joon is a historical drama about the life of Huh Joon (?-1615), the best doctor of the Joseon Kingdom. It was aired on MBC in 1999. The series told the story of how he was born into the lower class but studied traditional medicine and wrote Donguibogam (Exemplar of Eastern Medicine), referred to even today as an essential medicinal text. This drama gained explosive popularity in the Middle East, in particular earning the high viewer rating of 80 percent in Iraq.

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It was aired on MBC in 1999. The series told the story of how he was born into the lower class but studied traditional medicine and wrote Donguibogam (Exemplar of Eastern Medicine), referred to even today as an essential medicinal text. This drama gained explosive popularity in the Middle East, in particular earning the high viewer rating of 80 percent in Iraq.

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Korean Medicine
Traditional Korean medicine includes acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine. Traditional medical treatments feature natural methods based on harmony between yin and yang. Korea's Western hospitals have very high standards, and its medical technology continues to evolve. Many patients and physicians visit Korea for medical treatment and training.

6 June 2013

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Korean IT
Korea has the highest level of information & communication technology (ICT) in the world. According to the ICT Development Index 2011 by the United Nations Telecommunication Union (ITU), Korea was ranked No. 1 among 152 countries surveyed. The country commercialized CDMA and WiBro for the first time in the world, and completed the installation of a nationwide wireless network in 2011. Greatest Love
Greatest Love is a romantic drama about the love between an actor in his heyday and a former girl group singer who has seen better times. Aired in May 2011 on MBC, the drama created numerous buzzwords in Korean and had great scenes. Leading drama sites in the United States and Canada uploaded episodes with English subtitles.

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Aired in May 2011 on MBC, the drama created numerous buzzwords in Korean and had great scenes. Leading drama sites in the United States and Canada uploaded episodes with English subtitles.

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Korean IT
Korea has the highest level of information & communication technology (ICT) in the world. According to the ICT Development Index 2011 by the United Nations Telecommunication Union (ITU), Korea was ranked No. 1 among 152 countries surveyed. The country commercialized CDMA and WiBro for the first time in the world, and completed the installation of a nationwide wireless network in 2011.

7 July 2013

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Hallyu, Korean Wave

In the mid-1990s, Korean television dramas and pop music surged in popularity in China and the term, "Hallyu" emerged. Since the mid-2000s, Korean culture, including K-pop, K-classics and K-movies, has been spreading around the world. "Gangnam Style" by Psy gained huge popularity around the globe in 2012.

Secret Garden
Secret Garden is a romantic fantasy about a body swapping between a stuntwoman, who wanted to become a martial arts director, and a wealthy second-generation CEO, whose family owned a department store. It was broadcast on SBS in November 2010. TV stations in 13 countries purchased the drama before it ended. It was very popular and around 500,000 people watched it in the United States alone. More than 200,000 people watched the series on "Drama Fever," a Korean drama site and 300,000 on the "Hulu" video site.

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who wanted to become a martial arts director, and a wealthy second-generation CEO, whose family owned a department store. It was broadcast on SBS in November 2010. TV stations in 13 countries purchased the drama before it ended. It was very popular and around 500,000 people watched it in the United States alone. More than 200,000 people watched the series on "Drama Fever," a Korean drama site and 300,000 on the "Hulu" video site.

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Hallyu, Korean Wave

In the mid-1990s, Korean television dramas and pop music surged in popularity in China and the term, "Hallyu" emerged. Since the mid-2000s, Korean culture, including K-pop, K-classics and K-movies, has been spreading around the world. "Gangnam Style" by Psy gained huge popularity around the globe in 2012.

8 August 2013

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2013 September
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Korean Clothing
Korea's traditional costume is called hanbok. The royal family and upper class people wore colorful clothes while commoners wore white clothes, so Koreans were called the people in white clothes. Thanks to Korean television dramas and the spread of the Korean culture, hanbok has been introduced widely to the world. Hanbok emphasizes quiet dignity and fine lines and has been admired for its equisite beauty. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a drama about love and friendship among four students at Sungkyunkwan, the best educational institute of the Joseon Kingdom. It was aired on KBS 2 in 2010. The series starts with the admission to the school of Yun-hee, a young woman pretending to be a man. The three actors and one actress Park Yu-chun (Seon-jun), Park Min-young (Yun-hee), Yoo Ah-in (Jae-shin) and Song Joong-ki (Yong-ha) became very popular. It won the bronze award at the 2012 New York TV Festival.

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the best educational institute of the Joseon Kingdom. It was aired on KBS 2 in 2010. The series starts with the admission to the school of Yun-hee, a young woman pretending to be a man. The three actors and one actress Park Yu-chun (Seon-jun), Park Min-young (Yun-hee), Yoo Ah-in (Jae-shin) and Song Joong-ki (Yong-ha) became very popular. It won the bronze award at the 2012 New York TV Festival.

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Korean Clothing
Korea's traditional costume is called hanbok. The royal family and upper class people wore colorful clothes while commoners wore white clothes, so Koreans were called the people in white clothes. Thanks to Korean television dramas and the spread of the Korean culture, hanbok has been introduced widely to the world. Hanbok emphasizes quiet dignity and fine lines and has been admired for its equisite beauty.

9 September 2013

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2013 October
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Han-geul, Korean Alphabet

In 1443 King Sejong the Great invented Han-geul, the Korean alphabet, which was easy to learn and use. Han-geul is based on scientific principles and was created with the intent of giving commoners a means to express themselves in writing. Once mastered, the 14 consonants and 10 vowels can be conveniently combined into words.

Tree with Deep Roots

Tree with Deep Roots is a drama portraying a conspiracy and conflict surrounding the invention of Han-geul, the Korean alphabet, during the reign of King Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Kingdom. It was aired on SBS in 2011 and depicts the court fashions, cuisine and housing of the time. Critics say that the drama also realistically shows the human side of King Sejong, who is usually portrayed as a larger-than-life hero, by revealing his anxieties, anger and fearless action.

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the Korean alphabet, during the reign of King Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Kingdom. It was aired on SBS in 2011 and depicts the court fashions, cuisine and housing of the time. Critics say that the drama also realistically shows the human side of King Sejong, who is usually portrayed as a larger-than-life hero, by revealing his anxieties, anger and fearless action.

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Han-geul, Korean Alphabet

In 1443 King Sejong the Great invented Han-geul, the Korean alphabet, which was easy to learn and use. Han-geul is based on scientific principles and was created with the intent of giving commoners a means to express themselves in writing. Once mastered, the 14 consonants and 10 vowels can be conveniently combined into words.

10 October 2013

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2013 November
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Korean Cuisine
A Korean meal consists of individual bowls of rice and soup and a number of other side dishes that are shared by all. There is kimchi at every meal, and other side dishes might be seasoned vegetables, stew, grilled or salted fish, and various kinds of meat or poultry. People especially enjoy hot soups, stews and grilled dishes in wintertime and cold soups and ssam (vegetable wrap) in summertime. Each region has developed its own unique cuisine, cultivating specialties from the fields, mountains and sea. Coffee Prince
Coffee Prince, which aired in July 2007, presents the story of Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye), the tomboyish instructor of a taekwondo school, who fell in love with Han-gyeol (Gong Yoo) who had hired her in his coffee shop, Coffee Prince. Broadcast by MBC, the series was popular in Latin America, especially in Paraguay, and Yoon Eun-hye became a Hallyu star in Latin America.

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the tomboyish instructor of a taekwondo school, who fell in love with Han-gyeol (Gong Yoo) who had hired her in his coffee shop, Coffee Prince. Broadcast by MBC, the series was popular in Latin America, especially in Paraguay, and Yoon Eun-hye became a Hallyu star in Latin America.

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11

18
7 14 21 28
T MON

25
1 8 15 22
F

2 9 16 23

12

19
TU E

26

13

20

27

WED

14

21
THU

28 1 8 15
FRI

22

16
Introduction to K-Drama and Korea

23
S AT

Korean Cuisine
A Korean meal consists of individual bowls of rice and soup and a number of other side dishes that are shared by all. There is kimchi at every meal, and other side dishes might be seasoned vegetables, stew, grilled or salted fish, and various kinds of meat or poultry. People especially enjoy hot soups, stews and grilled dishes in wintertime and cold soups and ssam (vegetable wrap) in summertime. Each region has developed its own unique cuisine, cultivating specialties from the fields, mountains and sea.

11 November 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

2013 December
SUN MON TU E

12
WED THU FRI

Introduction to K-Drama and Korea

S AT

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

Korea Tourism
The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea is growing rapidly with an increase of one million people each year. Foreign tourists visiting during the month of July 2012 reached 1.02 million surpassing the significant one million threshold for the first time. In 2011, 9.8 million people visited Korea, double the number in 2001. Hallyu dramas, K-pop, health care and shopping seem to play a great role in the increase of foreign tourists.

Winter Sonata
Winter Sonata is a melodrama broadcast by KBS in 2002. K-drama fever, as a major part of Hallyu, was boosted when NHK, the Japanese national TV, aired it in 2003. Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo and Park Yong-ha received a lot of attention in Japan, especially, creating "Yonsama" (honorific Japanese nickname of Bae Yong-joon) fever. Lots of fans continue to come to Namiseom, an island in Chuncheon, which is one of the major filming locations.

12 December 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

K-drama fever, as a major part of Hallyu, was boosted when NHK, the Japanese national TV, aired it in 2003. Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo and Park Yong-ha received a lot of attention in Japan, especially, creating "Yonsama" (honorific Japanese nickname of Bae Yong-joon) fever. Lots of fans continue to come to Namiseom, an island in Chuncheon, which is one of the major filming locations.

2013 February

10

17
3
24 31

24
3 10 17
S SUN

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

11

18
7 14 21 28
T MON

25
1 8 15 22
F

2 9 16 23

12

19
TU E

26

13

20

27

WED

14

21
THU

28 1 8 15
FRI

22

16
Introduction to K-Drama and Korea

23
S AT

Korea Tourism
The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea is growing rapidly with an increase of one million people each year. Foreign tourists visiting during the month of July 2012 reached 1.02 million surpassing the significant one million threshold for the first time. In 2011, 9.8 million people visited Korea, double the number in 2001. Hallyu dramas, K-pop, health care and shopping seem to play a great role in the increase of foreign tourists.

12 December 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2 014
CALENDAR

1
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

2
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

3
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

4
WED THU FRI SAT

1 5 6 7 8

2 9

4 2 9 3 4 5 6 7

1 8 2 9
23 30

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 15
24 31

1 8

2 9

10 11

10 11 12

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

10 11 12 13 14 15

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29

5
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

6
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

7
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

8
WED THU FRI SAT

1 4 5 6 7 8

2 9

3 10

1 8

2 9

7 6 7

1 8

2 9

5 3 4 5 6 7

1 8

2 9

10 11 12 13 14

10 11 12

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 31

25 26 27 28 29 30

9
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

10
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

11
WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE

12
WED THU FRI SAT

1 7 8

2 9

6 5 6 7

1 8

2 9

4 2 9
23 30

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 24 25 26 27 28 29

1 8

2 9

10 11 12 13

10 11

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

16 17 18 19 20 21 22