Open Korea

Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

  • News
  • History
  • People
  • Community
  • Entertainment
  • Resources
    • ☎️ Helpline in Korea
    • 🔗 Useful sites on Korea
    • 🎬 Best Korean Films
    • 📺 Best Korean Shows
    • 🎤 Best Korean Pop
    • 👥 Join the Cause
    • 💲Donor Dashboard

Advice

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Stray Kids’ Seungmin scales back activities as ankle injury lingers

    Jul 4, 2026
    in News
    Stray Kids’ Seungmin scales back activities as ankle injury lingers

    Stray Kids member Seungmin will significantly reduce his activities as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his…

    Advice, K-pop, Medical, Stress
  • Concerned sister

    Jun 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Please read all of this before making any judgement. I’m an older sister to somebody who is obsessed with Korea.…

    Advice, family, history, K-pop, Minimum Wage
  • BTS Tottenham stadium concert, accessibility advice?

    Jun 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey! This is a longshot but I have tickets for both days at the Tottenham London BTS concert and I’m…

    Advice, BTS
  • Figure skating legend Kim Yuna shares candid reflection in fourth year of marriage

    Jun 27, 2026
    in News
    Figure skating legend Kim Yuna shares
 candid reflection in fourth year of marriage

    Former figure skater Kim Yuna shared heartfelt thoughts about what marriage has meant to her. On June 26, Elle Korea’s…

    Advice
  • I’m considering deleting my Weverse Account

    Jun 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I am posting but I was hoping someone would know more about this than myself. I am considering deleting my…

    Advice
  • Jiwoo Hearts2Hearts Dating Advice To A Female Fan

    Jun 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    At Hearts2Hearts’ fansign event held on October 29, 2025 (KST), Jiwoo answers the fan’s question by saying, “Men who have…

    Advice, apology, netizens, Question
  • Admitted to Yonsei GSIS (Global Studies) with no scholarship—is it worth the cost for Climate Policy/Energy Transition?

    Jun 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone, I was recently accepted into the Yonsei University GSIS (Master of Global Studies) program. I’m planning to focus…

    Advice, Japan, Korean Language
  • ENHYPEN’s Jay Between Two Worlds

    Jun 9, 2026
    in Feeds
    ENHYPEN’s Jay Between Two Worlds

    Park Jong-seong has always occupied the beautiful, uncomfortable space between identities. Now, in Polo Ralph Lauren and on the cover…

    Advice, Celebrity, driver, family, Japan, Korean Art, KT, Photography, Seoul, Tokyo
  • SEVENTEEN Joshua: The Gentleman Who Embodies K-Pop’s Future

    May 30, 2026
    in Feeds
    SEVENTEEN Joshua: The Gentleman Who Embodies K-Pop’s Future

    Vogue Singapore June 2026 Cover Story The Moment Everything Clicked When does Seventeen’s Joshua feel the most confident? When he’s…

    Advice, Japan, K-pop, Photography, Seoul, study, Tokyo
  • 5 days of silence after misunderstanding – is this common in the Korea dating culture?

    May 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone. I need some cultural reality checks because my anxiety is telling me stories I don’t trust. I’m a…

    Advice, Koreans, Old Korea, Social Media
  • Moving to korea with food allergies

    May 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi, I have had some pretty intense allergies all my life to blueberries and antibiotics. Now my mother HATED mushrooms…

    Advice, Seoul
  • Watching kpop idols a lot sometimes lead me to involuntarily end up comparing myself and hate me

    May 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I know this is weird and I am not sure if I’ll be able to explain this feeling, I hope…

    Advice, family, KT
  • is tpa and bypass completely different? what’s illegal? and what’s not?

    May 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    hello, im a complete newbie at this and i have no idea whatsoever what’s considered as an ‘illegal’ means of…

    Advice
  • I’m started to feel a disconnect with my ults

    May 22, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This is my first time posting something here so I’m not sure if it’s appropriate but I’m looking for some…

    Advice, Scandal, Social Media
  • Advice for relationship

    May 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone, I’m new here and I really need your opinions. I have a trip to Korea coming up soon,…

    Advice, Korean Guy, Seoul, travel
  • Classical musicians and classical music enthusiasts, what’s your opinion on kpop sampling classical music?

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    There is several title that come to me when I think of this Blackpink’s Shutdown with Paganini’s La Campanelle Red…

    Advice, Suga
  • Water Kimchi without alliums?

    May 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Looking for advice or recipe for a water kimchi without garlic or onions. I can find temple kimchi recipes pretty…

    Advice, Kimchi
  • I’m obsessed with Kimchi but canned ones are meh. Need help from the pros

    May 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I really really looovvvveee kimchi! but in my country there’s only canned kimchi available and it doesn’t taste that good…

    Advice, Kimchi
  • First Time Making Jjajangmyeon

    May 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    First Time Making Jjajangmyeon

    Thanks to everyone who gave me advice on what kind of pork I could use because I couldn’t get pork…

    Advice, Pork
  • Caring for the Idols we love, RM specifically

    May 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m quite new to K-pop, being an aging American Midwest Gen-X’er. I find it THRILLING in so many respects, especially…

    Advice, BTS, Japan, K-pop, Stress
  • Advice on my parasocial relationship with BTS

    May 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I have posted it on other subs as well, but posting it here also in the hope of reaching more…

    Advice, BTS, Parents, Question
  • Some quick advice for JYP because I know they’re lurking

    May 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    If you’re going to rely on Youtube ads as your primary promotion method you need the song to be PEAK…

    Advice
  • Korean appointed as new director of risks at World Bank Group

    May 3, 2026
    in News
    Korean appointed as new director of risks at World Bank Group

    A Korean has been appointed as the new director of market and counterparty risk at the World Bank Group (WBG),…

    Advice, family
  • I need help and information regarding auditoning for companies

    May 2, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi, hope your all doing well I’m a F13 from saudi arabia, I’m planning on auditioning for kpop companies but…

    Advice
  • Concert video editing and storage for newbies?

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey all, I need some advice. I have a million 3 minute long videos where its 5 seconds of something…

    Advice, KT, Samsung
  • First time buying XG tickets!! need help with presale 🙏

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey everyone! I’m a new fan and this will actually be my first time buying an XG concert ticket… and…

    Advice, Stress
  • Korean teen in the U.S.: Should I keep my Korean citizenship or become an American citizen?

    Apr 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone, I’m 18 (turning 19 soon), a Korean citizen and U.S. green card holder. I moved to the U.S.…

    Advice, Curiosity, fail, family, Korean Military, Military, Parents, study
  • Visiting bf’s Korean mom for the first time

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m going to meet my boyfriend’s Korean mom for the first time after dating him for two years. I’m a…

    Advice
  • what kpop companies are really the best? any similar to morevision?

    Apr 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    what kpop company do u think suits me? obvi hybe, sm, and jyp r up there but what other companies…

    Advice
  • What’s your most “pretentious” K-pop opinion?

    Apr 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    When I mean pretentious I mean an opinion that’s coming from someone who’s been a K-pop fan for a while…

    Advice, K-pop, K-pop Fans
  • Help with Cuckoo IH Twin Pressure Cooker

    Apr 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Help with Cuckoo IH Twin Pressure Cooker

    Hi there. I recently purchased a CUCKOO 6-Cup IH Twin Pressure Prestige Silence Lumin (CRP-OHTR0609FW) and I have a question.…

    Advice, Question
  • Making homemade kimchi

    Mar 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I love kimchi but a jar where I live is like $15 usd and I can clear that in a…

    Advice, Kimchi
  • New Korean restaurant – white flower gift

    Mar 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello to the wonderful people here. I went to a soft opening of a Korean restaurant over the weekend –…

    Advice, Curiosity, family, Korean Food, Question
  • Freezing Kimbap?

    Mar 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi, Im looking to batch make a couple kimbap for an upcoming busy work schedule. Has anyone had success and…

    Advice
  • I love Ban Chan!!! Help me choose

    Feb 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello, i love Korean food and especially Ban Chan. I’m getting ready to meal prep for the week but I’d…

    Advice, Korean Food
  • Samsung scion says three years without smartphone helped him get into Seoul National University

    Feb 4, 2026
    in News
    Samsung scion says three years without smartphone helped him get into Seoul National University

    Lim Dong-hyun, the grandson of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee and the son of Lee Boo-jin, entered Seoul National University in…

    Advice, Korean Language, Parents, Samsung, Seoul, Stress
Next Page→

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Celebrity Cheese Controversy Coupang Crime Curiosity Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Gen Z germany Global Expansion history Hyundai Japan Jeju Jjigae Joseon Justice K-pop K-pop Fans K-pop industry Kakao Kia Kimchi Korean Comapny Korean Food Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology KT Lawmakers LG LG Electronics LG Energy LG Energy Solution Lotte martial law Medical Military Naver North Korea Nvidia Parents Peace Photography Politics Pork POSCO Protest purpose Putin Question request Samsung Samsung Electronics Scandal Seoul Sex Shopping SK Hynix Social Media Soju Stress study Suga Survey Tokyo Tourism travel Warning

Latest Korean News

  • Lee says mega development projects are for future, not approval ratingsJuly 4, 2026
    President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday rejected criticism by opposition… Read more: Lee says mega development projects are for future, not approval ratings
  • Who to blame for Korea’s World Cup failureJuly 4, 2026
    After Korea’s early exit from the football World Cup, I… Read more: Who to blame for Korea’s World Cup failure
  • Korea needs Ange Postecoglou as head coachJuly 4, 2026
    The Korea Football Association (KFA) has opened applications for the… Read more: Korea needs Ange Postecoglou as head coach
  • Korean couples ditch luxury wedding halls for $19 public venuesJuly 4, 2026
    With his wedding just four months away, 29-year-old Kim Yun-ho… Read more: Korean couples ditch luxury wedding halls for $19 public venues
  • Stray Kids’ Seungmin scales back activities as ankle injury lingersJuly 4, 2026
    Stray Kids member Seungmin will significantly reduce his activities as… Read more: Stray Kids’ Seungmin scales back activities as ankle injury lingers

Latest Community Feeds

  • Question, does this mean something in particular?July 5, 2026
  • Your favorite artists that you’re casually a fan of?July 4, 2026
  • shinan purple islandJuly 4, 2026
  • Djokovic danced the Katseye’s Touch choreo after winning R3 match in WimbledonJuly 4, 2026
  • How Korea’s birth mothers are exposing the hidden cost of overseas adoptionJuly 4, 2026
  • Embattled former national soccer team coach defends decision not to start SonJuly 4, 2026
  • Democratic Party Rep. Choi Rebuts Lee Byung-tae’s May 18 ‘Sanctuary’ RemarksJuly 4, 2026
  • Korean Zeitgeist – Exporting soft power through miseryJuly 4, 2026
  • Why don’t idols get dimensional bleach and tones?July 4, 2026
  • Weekly Social Media ThreadJuly 4, 2026
  • Korea’s birthrate rises at fastest pace on record in Q1July 4, 2026
  • Kang Hee-seon, Seoul Subway Voice Actor, Passes AwayJuly 4, 2026
  • This entire pork soup meal in South Korea costs exactly 10,000 KRW (approx. $7 USD). No hidden taxes, NO TIPPING, and unlimited side dish refills. 🍲🇰🇷July 4, 2026
  • Where should I learn to make kimchi?July 4, 2026
  • Chinese-style restaurantJuly 4, 2026
  • Today’s service station food on the way to the beachJuly 4, 2026
  • Mapping the members of Babymonster as NBA playersJuly 4, 2026
  • “THEY ALWAYS SING LIVE”… but most of the time all I hear is the backing track 🙃July 4, 2026
  • blackpink lisa’s recent nose job and comments are getting out of handJuly 4, 2026
  • Grand Ole Opry’s Mama Kim reflects on 50 years doing business in ItaewonJuly 4, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (23,038)
    • Community (16,938)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,845)
  • History (41)
  • People (16)

History of Korea

  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-HistoryOctober 12, 2017
    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.… Read more: Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History
  • The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three KingdomsOctober 19, 2017
    Introduction to Go Joseon The Go Joseon dynasty, often considered a pivotal era in Korean history, emerged around the end… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three Kingdoms
  • The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and UnificationNovember 30, 2017
    Introduction to the Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, encompassing approximately from the 1st century BCE to the… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and Unification
  • Choe Chi-wonFebruary 14, 2018
    Introduction to Choe Chi-won Choe Chi-won, born in 857, stands as a notable figure in Korean history, specifically during the… Read more: Choe Chi-won
  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatMay 14, 2018
    Introduction to King Gwanggaeto King Gwanggaeto the Great, a pivotal figure in Korean history, ruled from 395 to 413 CE… Read more: King Gwanggaeto the Great
  • Won HyoOctober 14, 2018
    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the… Read more: Won Hyo
  • Jang BogoApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Jang Bogo Jang Bogo, a prominent historical figure from the Silla Dynasty, played a pivotal role in shaping… Read more: Jang Bogo
  • GyebaekApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Gyebaek Gyebaek is a prominent historical figure in Korean history, particularly known for his role as a general… Read more: Gyebaek
  • King MuryeongSeptember 14, 2019
    Introduction to King Muryeong King Muryeong, reigning from 501 to 523 AD, stands as one of the most influential monarchs… Read more: King Muryeong
  • The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon EraJanuary 3, 2020
    Introduction to the Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918 AD by the notable general Wang Geon, marks a… Read more: The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon Era

Open Korea

Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

Sponsors & Partners

  • Eastern Art – Center for Non-Western Art Studies
  • Great African Railway – Connecting Young Africans in Metaverse
  • Renewable AI – Carbon Neutral Regulation in AI Training
  • ContentsWIRE – Stream quality writings and visuals for your business

Helplines in Korea

112  | Police

Call to report life-threatening situations and emergencies requiring law enforcement. Text service and location tracking service is also available.

119 | Fire & Ambulance

The fire department and health emergencies requiring ambulance service. There’s also an English reporting section on their website.

182 | Missing Persons & Stolen Vehicles

This line is also used for non-emergency reports and requests such as inquiring about the cost of a fine for a traffic violation, information on car licenses, and how to contact officers in charge of specific cases.

1339 | Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) Foreigner Helpline

Particularly useful during the 2015 MERS scare, the KCDC provides foreigners with information about first-aid and diseases in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian.

1366 | Seoul Women’s Help Hotline

Not necessarily English-friendly and not outside of Seoul, this 24-hour service immediate response line for women involved in domestic abuse, sexual violence or prostitution should still be kept handy.

1330 | Korea Tourism Organization’s Travel Helpline

Tourism and translation services. The service is available 24/7 and provides information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, and more.

120 | Seoul Municipal Government Info

The Seoul “Dasan” helpline provides information on restaurants (Korean and international cuisines), transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc.), Korean language schools, interpretation services, legal consulting, lost items, volunteer services, daily living in Seoul, and tourism. Available languages are Chinese, English, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese from 9 am to 10 pm.

1345 | Immigration

Foreign resident can to ask just about any immigration-related question. Keep in mind that they tend to be on the negative side, as it’s the safer way for them to answer. Tip: Get their name and information so that if you visit the immigration office and get a different story you can tell them that you were told otherwise…

1331 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Call here to get information on human rights laws and social justice in Korea, as well as get assistance with filing a complaint and even receive counseling.

110 | National Government Call Center

This phone number is available for the public to call and inquire about anything from government policy to civil complaints. Available in 20 different languages.

Useful Official Links on Korea

Korean Arts

  • Archive of Gugak 국악아카이브
  • Artsnet 미술포탈 아츠넷
  • Digital Archive of Performing Arts 공연예술 디지털 아카이브
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea 국립현대미술관
  • ​National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
  • Seoul Photo Archives 서울사진아카이브

Korean Cinema

  • HANCINEMA The Korean Movie & Drama Database
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • KMDb 한국영화데이터베이스
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • Korean Annual Box Office Results 영화진흥위원회 박스오피스
  • Korean Film Archive 한국영상자료원
  • Korean Film Archive YouTube Channel
  • Korean Film Biz Zone
  • Korean Film Council 한국영화진흥위원회
  • KTV National Record Film 한국정책방송원 e영상역사관
  • North Korean film 북한영화 (통일부 북한자료센타)

Language & Literature

  • The Academy of Korean Studies 한국학 중앙 연구원
  • DLKL (한국 문학 디지털 도서관) by 한국문학번역원Digital Library of Korean Literature
  • The Korea Comparative Literature Association 한국비교문학회
  • The Korean Association of Language Sciences 한국언어과학회
  • Korean Literature Archive
  • Korean Literature Author Data Service
  • Korean Literature E-books in Multiple Languages
  • The Learned Society of Modern Korean Literature 한국현대문학회
  • The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea 한국현대언어학회
  • The Society of Korean Oral Literature 한국 구비 문학회
  • 국어 능력 인증 시험 (한국언어문화연구원)
  • 근대 문학 종합 목록 (국립 중앙 도서관)A comprehensive database for Korean modern literature. The site provides a search for authors and titles.
  • 한국 고전 종합 DB
  • 한글 학회 (Korean Language Society)

Statistical Sources

Government sources

  • Statistics Korea (KOSTAT 통계청)
  • Korean Statistical Information Sources (KOSIS 국가통계포털)
  • Open DATA Portal (공공 데이터 포털)

Themed statistics

  • Korean Social Science Data Archive (KOSSDA) 한국사회과학자료원
  • North Korean Statistics 북한통계 (KOISS)
  • 경제통계시스템 (Economic Statistics System)
  • 국가교육통계정보센터 (Korea National Center for Education Statistics & Information)
  • 노동통계 (Labour Statistics)
  • Media Statistics (Korea Press Foundation)
  • Trade Statistics (수출입통계, 관세청 Korea Customs Service)

History related sources

  • 한국역사정보통합시스템 (국사편찬워원회)
  • 한국사 데이터베이스
  • Kyujanggak Institute (규장각 한국학 연구원)Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean studies
  • 한국학 디지털 아카이브
  • The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 조선 왕조 실록
  • The Daily Records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon Dynasty 승정원 일기
  • 朝鮮王朝実録 (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • Korean Image Archive (한국 이미지 자료원)2,400 historic, original photographs of Korea (primarily focus on images captured pre-1970, and 35mm color slides) are available for research, presentation, lectures and other forms of scholarly works.
  • Sajin Taehan Min’guk (사진 대한민국)a collection of photographic records that vividly capture the people’s daily lives and social changes.
  • Academy of Korean Studies [한국학 디지털 아카이브]

Bibliographies and Indexes

  • 한국학술지인용색인 Korea Citation Index
  • KORCIS: 한국 고문헌 종합 목록 (국립중앙도서관)Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System
  • 近代朝鮮関係書籍データベース (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • 한국 잡지 박물관 DB