As mentioned a few days ago, the appearance of Hines Ward in Korea recently provoked a certain amount of debate. As it happens, statistics published in the Korea Times say that 14% of Korean marriages in 2005 were international, while attitudes are getting more positive. However, there is a darker side to this — with marriages of convenience with Chinese immigrants on the increase (cf the weepy film Failan), and rather sordid marriage agencies operating in Vietnam.