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

Chinese Tourists

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • China’s free-roaming tourists reshape South Korea’s visitor economy

    Aug 8, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    China’s free-roaming tourists reshape South Korea’s visitor economy

    Chinese tourists visiting Hwahongmun Gate in Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, sit on the floor of the building to relax…

    Busan, Chinese Tourists, Donald Trump, Hwaseong, Jeju, KT, LG, LG Uplus, myeongdong, Seoul, Social Media, Subway, Survey, Tourism, travel
  • S.Korea to grant visa-free entry to Chinese tourist groups from September

    Aug 6, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    S.Korea to grant visa-free entry to Chinese tourist groups from September

    Foreign tourists in Myeong-dong, favorite spot for travelers in Seoul (File photo by Hyeong Taek Im) South Korea will temporarily…

    Chinese Tourists, Donald Trump, Koreans, Medical, Seoul, Tourism, travel
  • Lotte’s casino earnings soar as Chinese punters return to Jeju; other casio operators follow suit

    Aug 5, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Lotte’s casino earnings soar as Chinese punters return to Jeju; other casio operators follow suit

    Lotte Tour Development’s Jeju Dream Tower Lotte Tour Development Co. has posted its highest-ever quarterly operating profit, powered by a…

    Chinese Tourists, Jeju, Justice, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping, Tourism, travel
  • When in S. Korea, it’s a ritual: Foreigners make stops at CU, GS25, 7-Eleven

    May 5, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    When in S. Korea, it’s a ritual: Foreigners make stops at CU, GS25, 7-Eleven

    CU at Incheon International Airport “When you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair,”…

    Chinese Tourists, coffee, Japan, K-pop, Korean Food, KT, Lotte, Lotte World, purpose, Seoul, Shopping, Social Media, Tourism, travel
  • South Korea mulls temporary visa waiver for group Chinese tourists

    Dec 26, 2024
    in News
    South Korea mulls temporary visa waiver for group Chinese tourists

    A cruise ship carrying Chinese group tourists to Jeju Island (Courtesy of Yonhap) South Korea is considering temporary visa exemptions…

    Chinese Tourists, Jeju, martial law, Naver, Seoul, Shopping, Tourism, travel
  • Photos of Chinese tourists defecating in the middle of downtown Jeju have spread online, shocking.On.. – MK

    Oct 13, 2024
    in Community, Feeds
    Photos of Chinese tourists defecating in the middle of downtown Jeju have spread online, shocking.On.. – MK

    submitted by /u/javelin3000 [link] [comments]

    Chinese Tourists, Jeju
  • Drawn by BTS and K-drama, Chinese tourists return to S Korea in droves after years of upset

    Oct 13, 2024
    in Community, Feeds
    Drawn by BTS and K-drama, Chinese tourists return to S Korea in droves after years of upset

    submitted by /u/Saltedline [link] [comments]

    BTS, Chinese Tourists, K-drama
  • Rising overseas trips to raise Korea’s travel account deficit

    Sep 14, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Rising overseas trips to raise Korea’s travel account deficit

    Crowd at the departure hall at Incheon International Airport on Sept. 13, 2024, ahead of the Chuseok holiday (Photo by…

    Chinese Tourists, Chuseok, Japan, Korean Airport, Koreans, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping, Tourism, travel
  • S.Korean travel retailers’ downfall without Chinese big spenders

    Sep 3, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    S.Korean travel retailers’ downfall without Chinese big spenders

    Lotte Duty Free shop entrance in Myeongdong, Seoul (Courtesy of Yonhap)  Before COVID-19 swept the world, South Korea’s top two…

    Chinese Tourists, fail, Hyundai, Japan, LG, Lotte, myeongdong, Seoul, Shopping, travel
  • Duty-free stores: No more golden goose for Korean retailers

    Jun 28, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Duty-free stores: No more golden goose for Korean retailers

    A Lotte Duty Free store in downtown Seoul South Korea welcomed a record-high number of post-pandemic foreign tourist arrivals for…

    Busan, Chinese Tourists, Hyundai, Jeju, Korean Airport, Lotte, Lotte World, myeongdong, Seoul, travel
  • Jeju casinos, hotels bask in return of Chinese tourists; luxury shops fall

    Jun 18, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Jeju casinos, hotels bask in return of Chinese tourists; luxury shops fall

    Jeju Island (Getty Images) Following the pandemic, hotels and casinos are enjoying a renewed tourist boom with Chinese tourists returning…

    Chinese Tourists, Jeju, Korean Airport, Lotte, Silla, Tourism, travel
  • Chinese group tours to Korea poised for strong revival

    May 9, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Chinese group tours to Korea poised for strong revival

    Chinese group tourists shopping at Lotte Duty Free shop in Myeong-dong, Seoul on May 7, 2024 (Courtesy of Lotte Duty…

    Chinese Tourists, Hyundai, Japan, Jeju, Korean Comapny, Koreans, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping, Tourism, travel
  • Shilla Duty Free to co-work with China’s largest lifestyle info platforms

    May 9, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Shilla Duty Free to co-work with China’s largest lifestyle info platforms

    South Korea’s Shilla Duty Free Shop announced on Thursday that it partnered with Meituan and Dazhong Dianping, China’s largest travel…

    Chinese Tourists, Shopping, travel
  • Aman, Rosewood, Banyan, IHG rush to open luxury hotels in Seoul

    May 5, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Aman, Rosewood, Banyan, IHG rush to open luxury hotels in Seoul

    Four Seasons Hotel in central Seoul Globally renowned hospitality companies, including Aman, Rosewood and IHG Group, are rushing to South…

    Busan, Chinese Tourists, Japan, Korean Comapny, Korean Military, Lotte, Military, myeongdong, Samsung, Seoul, Tokyo, Tourism, travel
  • Lotte Tour’s Jeju Island casino triples revenue

    May 3, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Lotte Tour’s Jeju Island casino triples revenue

    Jeju Dream Tower Casino, located on South Korea’s top tourist island of Jeju and run by Lotte Tour Development Co.,…

    Chinese Tourists, Japan, Jeju, Lotte, Tourism
  • Korean retailers, hotels enjoy tourist boom in May holidays

    Apr 30, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Korean retailers, hotels enjoy tourist boom in May holidays

    Foreigners at Myeong-dong, international tourists’ top destination in Seoul, on April 30, 2024 (By Bum-June Kim) South Korean retailers and…

    Chinese Tourists, fail, Hyundai, Japan, Jeju, Korean Airport, Lotte, Seoul, Shopping, Tokyo, Tourism, travel
  • S.Korea sees record-high foreign visitors after pandemic

    Apr 30, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    S.Korea sees record-high foreign visitors after pandemic

    South Korea saw a record-high number of foreign tourists post-COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2024.  The South Korean Ministry…

    Chinese Tourists, Japan, Jeju, Seoul, Tourism, travel

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Celebrity Cheese Controversy Coupang Crime Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Genesis 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 Korean Military Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology Korea Zinc KT LG LG Electronics LG Energy LG Energy Solution Lotte martial law Medical Military Naver North Korea Nvidia Parents Peace 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

  • GS E&C offloads Spanish water treatment arm GS Inima for $1.2 bnAugust 22, 2025
    (Screenshot captured from GS Inima Environment website) GS Engineering &… Read more: GS E&C offloads Spanish water treatment arm GS Inima for $1.2 bn
  • S.Korea cuts growth outlook to 0.9%, banks on AI to reignite economyAugust 22, 2025
    Container trucks move cargoes at Port of Busan South Korea’s… Read more: S.Korea cuts growth outlook to 0.9%, banks on AI to reignite economy
  • STIC Investments set to acquire laundry chain CleantopiaAugust 22, 2025
    STIC Investments Inc., a Seoul-based private equity firm, is set… Read more: STIC Investments set to acquire laundry chain Cleantopia
  • French specialty gas maker Air Liquide signs $2.9 bn deal to acquire DIG Airgas from MacquarieAugust 22, 2025
    DIG Airgas facilities in Paju, Gyeonggi province (Courtesy of DIG… Read more: French specialty gas maker Air Liquide signs $2.9 bn deal to acquire DIG Airgas from Macquarie
  • South Korea’s president to visit US with 15 business leaders after JapanAugust 22, 2025
    President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea (left) and US… Read more: South Korea’s president to visit US with 15 business leaders after Japan

Latest Community Feeds

  • my newest hobby: counting lines of my biasAugust 22, 2025
  • I need helpAugust 22, 2025
  • Which girl groups do you think are doing the most to stand out from the crowd right now? How are they doing that?August 22, 2025
  • Mastermind of $29 million hacking ring extradited from Thailand, BTS’ Jungkook among victimsAugust 22, 2025
  • Whoever invented croffles deserves a Nobel PrizeAugust 22, 2025
  • Korean Democratic Party stepping in to alter a license agreement with US IP owner Westinghouse?August 22, 2025
  • Next-Level Grocery DisplayAugust 22, 2025
  • Buldak Chicken Tofu NoodlesAugust 22, 2025
  • Clothing manufacturer in KoreaAugust 22, 2025
  • Somewhat bitter aftertaste in kimchi jjigae, not sure what it could beAugust 22, 2025
  • Dak bulgogi for my daughter’s birthdayAugust 22, 2025
  • Anyone tried YORI? Is it worth visiting?August 21, 2025
  • When Kpop idols become ambassadors of brands and ads are made, why don’t the companies use tracks of that idol?August 21, 2025
  • Korean name based on my italian name’s etymologyAugust 21, 2025
  • Devil by Changmin is one of the best EPs in K-pop, and Deserved Better. Here is a full & biased review!August 21, 2025
  • Photos/ Drawings/ Paintings/ Detailed Descriptions of historical tattoos?August 21, 2025
  • 쭈꾸미 삼겹살 (baby octopus and pork belly)August 21, 2025
  • What’s the best kpop songs you have listened to recently?August 21, 2025
  • Mandatory 14 Day Quarantine in Korea: a Very 2020 Cullinary ExperienceAugust 21, 2025
  • Korean Dishes for Someone Who Sucks at Cooking?August 21, 2025

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (11,822)
    • Community (7,786)
    • Entertainment (747)
    • News (3,287)
  • 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