Jeong Hwan Shin, a well-known TV figure whose quick wits have made him a popular figure in the variety show circuit (though strictly speaking he's a singer), is in trouble over his trip to Philippines.    The trouble began when he missed the taping of several TV shows in which he was a regular.  While everyone wondered what was going on, he was said to have been seen by several people at the casino in Cebu.  Given his track record with gambling, speculations were rampant as to what could be keeping him in Cebu, forcing him to miss his all important TV engagements.  Rumors spread like wild fire saying that he piled up a large amount of gambling debt and his passport was being held by his creditor.

The tradition of nepotism in Korea runs deep and long in this society.  It's everywhere you look.  Whether it's the best and the biggest of the Korean companies or your local English Hagwon, it wouldn't be surprising to see the founder's son running things with his father's blessing.  But the department of foreign affairs of the Korean government is not a place where you'd expect nepotism.  Well, there might have been a case of it and it's making quite a news story now.

Getting into the spirit of the upcoming G-20 summit, Korean government is making changes to improve the lives of foreign residents in Korea.     Last month, the office of Prime Minister (a position appointed by the president in Korea) announced regulation changes for foreigners in Korea.  These new rule changes affect many foreigners residing in Korea and I've summarized some of the major changes that are likely to affect you below.

Does success change a person?  Does money change a person?  Looking at the latest case of one of Korea's best known over-achievers and her coach, the evidences seem to point to a 'Yes.'  The people I am talking about are Yuna Kim and Brian Orser, the reigning Olympic champion in women's figure skating and her beloved coach.  

The whole nation of Korea is always fascinated by being the first and the best in the world.  The level of fascination sometimes has a negative side effect of producing pretenders yearning for the lime light.  The first woman to climb the world's 14 highest mountains in the world, or so we thought, Eun-seon Oh, is again mired in a heap of controversy, this time questioned by Korea's own media.

Samsung Group, best known for Samsung Electronics, is the largest company in Korea.  Its business areas range from electronics, building residential buildings to building ships.  The blue oval-shaped logo signifies quality and class to most Koreans and the company's rise to the top by and large drove Korea's economic growth.  Yet, the family behind this great conglomerate hasn't fared well when it comes to personal lives.

Even for those that do not follow the world of high fashion in Korea, the name Andre Kim is as familiar as any name gets in Korea.  The name stands for the first generation of fashion and designers of Korea.  He was the very first male designer.  He was the very first to achieve international fame through his craft in designing clothes.  Of late, his unique sense of style, his style of speech and his appearance have been subjects of numerous comic acts and imitations done by the best known actors and actresses as well as comedians.

Anyone who is fascinated by conspiracy theories should pay attention to Cheonan incident now more than ever.  The left wing media are shouting 'foul' as a dramatic new development has taken place last week.  It seems that there is a sunken ship at the bottom of the sea only about 230 yards away from the original site of the incident.

Won Bin is as big as they come in Korea when it comes to movie stars.  After serving his military service he played a role of an imbecile in a dark movie about a mother who tries to clear her only son from a murder charge.  This time, his comeback takes on the subject of 'revenge.'  

Do you like being one with the nature in your most earnest form -- buck naked?  If so, you will jump out of your seat to hear that Korea is about to get its first 'nudist colony', or if you prefer a naturist park.     According to Korea Times, a 'nudist forest' is getting ready to open in late August in Jangheung, Jeollanam-do.  A shocking fact is that the 'nudist forest' is the product of hard work by the local county government office.  One of the officials was quoted in the article saying, "We will soon complete construction of the facilities and people can enjoy nature and release stress in the nude."  We know for sure that Korea is home to some of the most stressed people in the world.  Perhaps this is exactly what the surgeon general of Korea ordered.