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

BTS

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • ‘Distinctly Korean’ BTS bring palace-front spectacle to Gwanghwamun

    Mar 21, 2026
    in News
    ‘Distinctly Korean’ BTS bring palace-front spectacle to Gwanghwamun

    Global K-pop group BTS returned with their new album “Arirang” to stage a landmark comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square, March…

    BTS, daegu, K-pop
  • Ancient bell sound enters BTS album after museum chief’s inspiration

    Mar 21, 2026
    in News
    Ancient bell sound enters BTS album after museum chief’s inspiration

    The resonant sound of Korea’s historic “Emille Bell” has been incorporated into BTS’s latest album, marking a unique fusion of…

    BTS
  • It’s the day! D-Day arrives for BTS Gwanghwamun comeback concert

    Mar 21, 2026
    in News
    It’s the day! D-Day arrives for BTS Gwanghwamun comeback concert

    Intense anticipation continues to grow in Seoul on Saturday as the countdown enters its final hours for BTS’ full-group comeback…

    BTS, Military, Seoul
  • [MEGATHREAD] BTS ARIRANG

    Mar 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This is the designated megathread for BTS’s comeback ARIRANG, and everything to do with it. The multiple existing posts will…

    BTS, Discussion
  • I found ARIRANG, especially SWIM, to be quite underwhelming

    Mar 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This is me forming my thoughts without reading any comments or outside opinions, so I might be completely in the…

    BTS, Suga
  • Rating songs from BTS’s ARIRANG album in order. (My opinion)

    Mar 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Body to Body 💯 (especially the 2nd half!!!! My god!!) Normal💯 Aliens Like Animals💯 Hooligan Swim Merry Go Round One…

    BTS
  • “All you have to do is sing into some machine. They say they are recording our songs to leave for future generations.” The most thorough description I saw about the 7 Korean Howard students referenced by BTS Arirang. The site owner digitized the cylinders. “What is your love song?” references them.

    Mar 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Note: Quotes Google translated. The site is old, marked as insecure by Chrome, and you’ll have to zoom in the…

    BTS, family, Joseon, travel
  • Can we talk about how incredible ARIRANG’s rollout has been?

    Mar 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    About 4 years ago, I wrote a post about how much I was enjoying the promo rollout for BTS’s anthology…

    BTS, Busan, Military, Seoul
  • do you still consider yourself an x1 fan?

    Mar 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    let me preface this by saying that while i was part of the wider kpop fan community at the time,…

    BTS, history
  • BTS drops music video teaser for ‘SWIM’ as full-group return nears

    Mar 18, 2026
    in News
    BTS drops music video teaser for ‘SWIM’ as full-group return nears

    K-pop supergroup BTS has heightened anticipation for its return with a cinematic teaser for the music video of its upcoming…

    BTS, K-pop, Social Media
  • Why K-pop concerts are breaking out of domes, infiltrating cityscapes

    Mar 17, 2026
    in News
    Why K-pop concerts are breaking out of domes, infiltrating cityscapes

    As K-pop supergroup BTS prepares to stage a free comeback concert at Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, the event…

    BTS, K-pop, Seoul
  • Tourists can now buy Seoul transit passes with overseas credit cards

    Mar 17, 2026
    in News
    Tourists can now buy Seoul transit passes with overseas credit cards

    Seoul will introduce a new payment system allowing foreign tourists to purchase public transportation passes using overseas credit and debit…

    BTS, Kakao, Naver, Seoul, Subway
  • I love how pop star are going all out for promotion these days.

    Mar 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Starting from Charli Xcx brat promo with neon Green colour (I mean who can forget the brat wall) , Sabrina’s…

    BTS
  • A small talk about Cortis’s new song – Joyride

    Mar 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ll be honest I’m not a super big Coer (that’s what their fans are called right? lol) and I’ve only…

    BTS
  • KakaoMap tests ultraprecise bus tracking ahead of BTS concert

    Mar 16, 2026
    in News
    KakaoMap tests ultraprecise bus tracking ahead of BTS concert

    Kakao is launching a pilot program for ultraprecise bus location data on its mapping platform KakaoMap, as part of emergency…

    BTS, K-pop, Kakao, Seoul
  • Korean fans are so lucky!!! They are getting a cruise trip and a Huge citywide project/event to experience BTS’s new music in Seoul.

    Mar 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    https://weverse.io/bts/notice/34162 ●BTS & Spotify are teaming up for “SWIMSIDE” a exclusive cruise adventure on Seoul’s Han River where BTS soundtracks…

    BTS, Seoul, travel
  • Feeling Grateful I am Here to Experience BTS’s Comeback

    Mar 15, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I don’t want to get too personal about struggles, but Covid and the years after were pretty devasting, and to…

    BTS, Military
  • BTS concert to test AI-based network management by mobile carriers

    Mar 15, 2026
    in News
    BTS concert to test AI-based network management by mobile carriers

    Korea’s three major telecommunications firms will deploy their most advanced technologies during the March 21 BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun…

    BTS, K-pop, KT, Seoul
  • Heartbreak BTS, Mood Boost TWICE……..

    Mar 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I listen to BTS when I want to really connect with my emotions and feel like someone truly understands what…

    BTS
  • Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotions

    Mar 12, 2026
    in News
    Retailers gear up for BTS concert with themed promotions

    Major offline retailers in Seoul are redecorating stores and stocking popular items as BTS is set to take center stage…

    BTS, K-pop, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping
  • 2026 is not shaping up to be the way it was expected

    Mar 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This was supposed to be the year of the “comeback”. Specifically because the major 3rd gen groups were making a…

    BTS
  • Are We Entering K-Pop’s Producer Era? A Map of 18 Producers Shaping the Next Paradigm

    Mar 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    TL;DR: K-Pop has traditionally been defined by entertainment companies. I believe we’re now entering a “Producer Era,” where individual creators…

    BTS, K-pop, Scandal, Suga
  • Zhang Hao’s V Magazine China Reign: ZB1 Center’s Fashion Eclipse

    Mar 10, 2026
    in Feeds
    Zhang Hao’s V Magazine China Reign: ZB1 Center’s Fashion Eclipse

    Zhang Hao of ZEROBASEONE commands the March 2026 issue of V Magazine China with physical and digital covers that redefine…

    BTS, Japan, K-pop, Photography, Seoul, Social Media
  • Western critics and journalists continuing to platform untrustworthy “experts” to talk about Kpop

    Mar 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Music critic and internet personality Anthony Fantano from The Needle Drop recently released a video on “The State of Kpop“,…

    BTS, Discussion, Ewha, Perspectives, Sex
  • I hope the small businesses affected by the BTS Gwanghwamun event are supported in some way

    Mar 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As you all probably know by now, BTS comeback is right around the corner. It’s a huge event for K-pop…

    BTS, K-pop, Parents
  • extremely lukewarm takes, Im talking physiological temp takes

    Mar 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ll go first: i don’t care if BTS’ new album is fully in English. They can even eschew English and…

    BTS, Suga
  • Grateful to K-Pop Demon Hunters for being my intro to K-Pop

    Mar 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I know lots of K-Pop fans say KPDH is not real k-pop and get frustrated when it gets mentioned—especially in…

    BTS, K-pop, K-pop Fans
  • Hot take: Kpop might actually be a loud niche rather than a dominant music genre

    Mar 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I had a bit of a reality check recently. In Singapore, our National Stadium holds about 55k people. BTS filled…

    BTS
  • I’m still upset with how the original Fifty Fifty ended.

    Mar 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I don’t know how the contracts was fully worded but the givers and attrakt didn’t have to end the partnership…

    BTS, KT, Parents, Question
  • Jurin’s Chanel Spark: Vogue Japan & Numéro Tokyo Magic 

    Mar 7, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jurin’s Chanel Spark: Vogue Japan & Numéro Tokyo Magic 

    Photo Credits: Chanel + Numero Tokyo + Vogue Japan + XGALX Jurin’s Chanel Glow: Vogue & Numéro Triumph Jurin, the…

    BTS, Japan, K-pop, KT, Tokyo
  • Liyu’s Glow: Esquire Korea x Cetaphil Cover Star

    Mar 7, 2026
    in Feeds
    Liyu’s Glow: Esquire Korea x Cetaphil Cover Star

    Photo Credits: Esquire Korea. + Cetaphil + FNC Entertainment Chuei Liyu, the Taiwanese sensation under FNC Entertainment, commands the Esquire…

    BTS, Japan, K-pop, Seoul, Suga, Tokyo
  • Does anyone else feel like Blackpink are doing a little worse on the charts than what is expected?

    Mar 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    BLACKPINK’s ‘DEADLINE – EP’ to debut at #7 on the Billboard 200 with 53K units first week (via u/HITSDD). They…

    BTS
  • Do you think BTS will release their concept photos for arirang..or just mv trailer?

    Mar 6, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As they have come back and we got content from Netflix…I have a very question that do you think they…

    BTS, Question
  • Hyunjin x GUESS: Stray Kids’ Visual King Redefines Denim Dynasty

    Mar 6, 2026
    in Feeds
    Hyunjin x GUESS: Stray Kids’ Visual King Redefines Denim Dynasty

    Stray Kids’ Hyunjin has been named Global Brand Ambassador for GUESS JEANS, igniting a fusion of K-pop rebellion and American…

    BTS, K-pop, Military, Tokyo
  • ALL(H)OURS: No Doubt, Infinite Resolve

    Mar 6, 2026
    in Feeds
    ALL(H)OURS: No Doubt, Infinite Resolve

    In the pulsing heart of K-pop’s relentless evolution, ALL(H)OURS unleashes their 5th mini album NO DOUBT, a sonic and visual manifesto…

    BTS, K-pop, Tokyo
  • Blackpink’s Deadline era, the successes and challenges.

    Mar 6, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    So we are officially a week into Blackpink’s Deadline era and its a good time to reflect on what the…

    BTS, fail, KT
←Previous Page 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 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 Ukraine Warning

Latest Korean News

  • N. Korea, Belarus near visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens: reportAugust 24, 2026
    North Korea and Belarus are close to signing a visa-waiver… Read more: N. Korea, Belarus near visa-waiver agreement for ordinary citizens: report
  • Samsung forecast to overtake Apple in global smartphone shipments in 2026: reportAugust 24, 2026
    Samsung Electronics is forecast to reclaim the top spot in… Read more: Samsung forecast to overtake Apple in global smartphone shipments in 2026: report
  • Korea expands autonomous driving AI testsAugust 24, 2026
    The government said Monday it will significantly expand pilot projects… Read more: Korea expands autonomous driving AI tests
  • Hanmi Pharm signs $2.3 bil. licensing deal with Roche’s Genentech for obesity drug candidateAugust 24, 2026
    Hanmi Pharm, a Korean pharmaceutical company, said Monday it has… Read more: Hanmi Pharm signs $2.3 bil. licensing deal with Roche’s Genentech for obesity drug candidate
  • EcoPro BM begins overhaul of Hungary plant to target European EV marketAugust 24, 2026
    EcoPro BM has begun converting its Hungary plant to produce… Read more: EcoPro BM begins overhaul of Hungary plant to target European EV market

Latest Community Feeds

  • Retrospective: What do you think of the Korea in Hetalia?August 25, 2026
  • Police officer accused of falsely closing missing persons cases faces detention warrant hearingAugust 25, 2026
  • Kimbap in cooler for camping tripAugust 25, 2026
  • South Korean women are projected to become the first national population in history with an average life expectancy above 90. An Imperial College London study placed the 2030 estimate at 90.8 years—although its calculated chance of actually crossing 90 was only 57 per cent.August 25, 2026
  • single serving galbi jjim??August 25, 2026
  • Renting a Car in Korea: My ExperienceAugust 25, 2026
  • ‘No Permission to Dance’: Venue closure in Busan leads to petition to change laws on live performancesAugust 25, 2026
  • SK Hynix Performance Stock Agreement Rejected by 50.1%August 25, 2026
  • Seoul Mayor Proposes Tancheon as Housing Alternative to YongsanAugust 25, 2026
  • Lee says police will be biggest power, stresses need for reform by gov’t bodyAugust 25, 2026
  • Used to be very embarrassed abut liking K-popAugust 25, 2026
  • Thank You NCT 127 for Bringing Me Back!🔥🔥August 25, 2026
  • Japanese propaganda during the occupation of Korea.August 25, 2026
  • Are there any current gen K-pop groups with a dual concept like Red Velvet?August 24, 2026
  • The 5th gen GG leader talks are over. The winner is ResceneAugust 24, 2026
  • For the first time in over 20 years, a majority of South Koreans have an unfavorable opinion of the U.S.August 24, 2026
  • Predictions: Girl groups that could become the “biggest girl group in the world”August 24, 2026
  • The Way Hanteo Messed Up NCT 127’s album Sales is DisappointingAugust 24, 2026
  • What was, without a doubt, the most visually stunning K-Pop music video released in recent months?August 24, 2026
  • Hanteo possibly biggest counting error ever?August 24, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (25,043)
    • Community (18,610)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,101)
  • 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