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Controversy

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • (LEAD) Starbucks Korea chief fired over ‘Tank Day’ event on pro-democracy anniv.

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    (LEAD) Starbucks Korea chief fired over ‘Tank Day’ event on pro-democracy anniv.

    SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) — The head of Starbucks Korea was dismissed Monday after the coffee chain faced strong backlash…

    apology, coffee, Controversy, Democracy, family, history, martial law, Military, Seoul, Social Media
  • May 18 Promotion Sparks Controversy for Starbucks Korea

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Starbucks Korea faced major backlash after a May 18 promotional event called “Tank Day” sparked controversy across South Korea. The…

    apology, Controversy, Military, Social Media
  • Twice’s Journey From Cute Girls Next Door To Sexy, Empowered Women – An Analysis of their Korean singles (Part 1)

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    You know after almost a decade of following kpop I’ve seen plenty of things. Groups debuting, groups disbanding, members leaving,…

    Controversy, Ewha, fail, request, Scandal, Sex
  • Starbucks Korea halts event, apologizes for May 18 insult controversy

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Starbucks Korea halts event, apologizes for May 18 insult controversy

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

    Controversy
  • Everything about kpop is designed to be marketable/performative, but stans hate when it is too overt

    May 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Got a TikTok of KiiiKiii’s Jiyu eating a piece of bread. She was eating it in what seemed to be…

    Controversy, KT
  • H.O.W: Five Hearts, One Legacy — K-pop’s Most Daring Debut of 2026

    May 17, 2026
    in Feeds
    H.O.W: Five Hearts, One Legacy — K-pop’s Most Daring Debut of 2026

    H.O.W rewrites the debut playbook — and the K-pop era itself There is a silence before a debut that the…

    Controversy, Gen Z, history, Japan, K-pop, K-pop industry, KT, Perspectives, Photography, purpose, Question, Seoul
  • Cha Eun-woo tax controversy puts new Netflix series to the test

    May 14, 2026
    in News
    Cha Eun-woo tax controversy puts new Netflix series to the test

    Netflix is releasing its highly anticipated series “The Wonderfools” on Friday, but a tax evasion scandal involving one of its…

    Controversy, Scandal
  • When did GD’s international reputation among K-pop fans turn so negative?

    May 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Because I swear he was pretty beloved internationally in the past. People literally crowned him as the King of K-pop.…

    Controversy, K-pop, K-pop Fans
  • Despite controversy, ‘The Wonderfools’ aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroics

    May 12, 2026
    in News
    Despite controversy, ‘The Wonderfools’ aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroics

    Netflix’s “The Wonderfools” marks Cha Eun-woo’s return to the global spotlight, coming just as the actor puts a high-profile tax…

    Controversy, Seoul
  • Everyone on Internet wants me to believe that Katseye’s popularity is declining but….

    May 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Honestly evertime katseye drop a new song, perform at a music festival, wear something revealing or get entangled with controversies…

    Controversy
  • Controversy no more? Koyote’s Shinji ties the knot in star-studded wedding

    May 4, 2026
    in News
    Controversy no more? Koyote’s Shinji ties the knot in star-studded wedding

    Shinji of veteran K-pop group Koyote has officially begun a new chapter, marrying singer Moon Won in a lavish wedding…

    Celebrity, Controversy, family, K-pop, Social Media
  • For the 8th anniversary of Idle’s debut, share your story of being a nevie

    May 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As someone who became a fan during covid times and have lurked in this sub since 2022. Here’s mine I…

    Controversy
  • Very controversial opinion about Yeonjun

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I know this is going to cause controversy and I don’t mean nor want to cause divisiveness between fandoms/groups. But…

    Controversy
  • Will ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ face backlash with Chinese viewers over racism claims?

    Apr 22, 2026
    in News
    Will ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ face backlash with Chinese viewers over racism claims?

    Ahead of next week’s release of “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” calls for a boycott are growing as critics say…

    Controversy, netizens
  • USFK chief lodges protest against unification minister for leaking US intelligence: lawmaker

    Apr 21, 2026
    in News
    USFK chief lodges protest against unification minister for leaking US intelligence: lawmaker

    The commander of the U.S. military stationed in South Korea, Gen. Xavier Brunson, has lodged a protest against the unification…

    Controversy, Military, North Korea, Protest
  • Hello, I am Latino. I would like to ask what you think about the controversy surrounding piracy in Latin America?

    Apr 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Unfortunately, many Latinos like me have encountered racist and classist comments on Twitter from Koreans and Japanese people criticizing them…

    Controversy, Japan, Koreans
  • Why Korea’s new religion bill is rattling Protestant churches

    Apr 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Why Korea’s new religion bill is rattling Protestant churches

    A proposed South Korean bill that would sanction religious groups accused of systematic political intervention has sparked a fierce backlash…

    Busan, Controversy, Donald Trump, Japan, Lawmakers, martial law, Military, Politics, Protest, Punishment
  • Exclusive: South Korea to Vary TOPIK Answers by Country to Prevent Leaks

    Apr 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Exclusive: South Korea to Vary TOPIK Answers by Country to Prevent Leaks

    The rumor that Chinese students buy the leaked TOPIK answers before the exam has been confirmed by the government. “According…

    Controversy, Social Media
  • What’s a totally unrealistic kpop group concept you think would be interesting?

    Apr 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Kpop obviously has many different unique concepts already. Enhypen has a vampire concept, TXT has a magical realism concept, ILLIT…

    BTS, Controversy, Social Media
  • how does kof’s new mv have no comment calling out the fact that these girls were cancelled for being racist?

    Apr 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I used to love them until the whole controversy. I mean saying the n word, appropriating black culture and the…

    Controversy
  • Has the Manon situation been made weird by the fans?

    Apr 3, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    THE POST IS A QUESTION!!!!!!! I don’t know what to say tbh, to me it looks like a PR stunt,…

    Controversy, Question
  • Checks and balances at risk

    Mar 18, 2026
    in News
    Checks and balances at risk

    Rep. Jung Chung-rae, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said the National Assembly will vote on the…

    Controversy, Crime, Food Safety
  • Do you think it’s actually possible to separate the art from the artist?

    Mar 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This is something I’ve been thinking about lately and I’m curious where people stand on it. I know at the…

    Controversy
  • Jung Kook promises to ‘work really hard’ on comeback after viral livestream controversy

    Mar 2, 2026
    in News
    Jung Kook promises to ‘work really hard’ on comeback after viral livestream controversy

    BTS member Jung Kook has reassured fans about his upcoming album and group comeback while addressing a controversy from a…

    BTS, Controversy
  • ‘Battle of Fates’ Re-Edits Episode Amid Controversy Over Disrespecting the Deceased – KbizoOm

    Mar 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    ‘Battle of Fates’ Re-Edits Episode Amid Controversy Over Disrespecting the Deceased – KbizoOm

    submitted by /u/Relevant_Ninja2251 [link] [comments]

    Controversy
  • Tired of strawman arguments being made to deflect from valid criticism.

    Feb 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    One infuriating thing about the K-Pop fandom is that it will not engage in controversies with good faith. And a…

    Controversy, K-pop
  • Jungkook Live on 26 Feb [Honest Thoughts on Comeback Pressure, Music, Smoking & His Frustration with HYBE]

    Feb 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Jungkook’s 3:42AM live on February 26, I just wanted to share my thoughts and process everything he opened up about.…

    Controversy, Warning
  • Katseye and the Issue With ‘Chronically Online’ Personas

    Feb 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve actually been thinking about posting this for a few months but I think the recent situation with Manon has…

    Controversy, Gen Z, K-pop, Question
  • [Exclusive] President Lee’s Bundang home received floor area ratio benefits under special law… but private reconstruction is ‘shackled’ | [단독] 李 대통령 분당 집은 특별법으로 용적률 수혜받았는데 … 민간 재건축은 ‘족쇄’

    Feb 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    [Exclusive] President Lee’s Bundang home received floor area ratio benefits under special law… but private reconstruction is ‘shackled’ | [단독] 李 대통령 분당 집은 특별법으로 용적률 수혜받았는데 … 민간 재건축은 ‘족쇄’

    • Lee’s apartment private reconstruction, floor area ratio 360.17% • Incentives up to 1.5 times under the 1st Phase New…

    Controversy
  • Vogue Korea x MEOVV’s Gawon & Ella: The Future Is Now

    Feb 19, 2026
    in Feeds
    Vogue Korea x MEOVV’s Gawon & Ella: The Future Is Now

    Photo Credits: Vogue Korea The Black Label By Kpoppie Editorial / February 2026 When Gawon and Ella step in front of the camera, the…

    Controversy, K-pop, Photography, Seoul, Tokyo
  • Kiss of Life’s career shows how fast momentum can slip away

    Feb 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As an outsider looking in, their career is so intriguing. They truly started as a nugu group in every sense…

    Controversy, Sex
  • Korean province apologizes to Vietnamese people after ‘import young foreign women’ remark draws backlash

    Feb 9, 2026
    in News
    Korean province apologizes to Vietnamese people after ‘import young foreign women’ remark draws backlash

    South Jeolla Province issued a formal apology to the Vietnamese public after Jindo County Gov. Kim Hee-soo sparked backlash by…

    apology, Controversy
  • Why do extremely popular idols sometimes become polarizing, even within their own fandoms?

    Feb 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello everyone, I’m relatively new to kpop, ARMY specifically, and have been catching up on BlackPink and moreso BTS content…

    BTS, Controversy
  • Cho Kuk “It is a big mistake to think of an easy victory in elections, intoxicated by the president and the Democratic Party’s approval ratings”

    Feb 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, expressed his view regarding the controversy over a merger between the…

    Controversy
  • BLACKPINK’s “DEADLINE” as a reflection of where things stand

    Feb 6, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    this post isnt meant to invite hate toward bp, but ive been struggling to find a subreddit where this fits..…

    Controversy, KT
  • Is the Appointed Supreme Council Seat Reserved for the Innovation Party?… Merger Dispute in the Ruling Bloc Deepens over ‘Internal Document’

    Feb 6, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Is the Appointed Supreme Council Seat Reserved for the Innovation Party?… Merger Dispute in the Ruling Bloc Deepens over ‘Internal Document’

    Internal merger document of the Democratic Party of Korea revealed externally Includes plans such as “appointing an Innovation Party member…

    Controversy, Discussion, Question
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Latest Korean News

  • Heroes sign ex-KBO MVP Seo Geon-chang to 2-year extensionMay 20, 2026
    The Kiwoom Heroes announced Wednesday they have signed former MVP-winning… Read more: Heroes sign ex-KBO MVP Seo Geon-chang to 2-year extension
  • Capitalizing on summit, Seoul seeks to draw Japanese tourists to historic enclaveMay 20, 2026
    Following a high-profile bilateral summit between the leaders of Korea… Read more: Capitalizing on summit, Seoul seeks to draw Japanese tourists to historic enclave
  • Labor ministry says ‘too early’ to speak of using emergency arbitration powers against Samsung strikeMay 20, 2026
    The labor ministry said Wednesday it is “too early” to… Read more: Labor ministry says ‘too early’ to speak of using emergency arbitration powers against Samsung strike
  • As crows dive-bomb pedestrians, gov’t warns against eye contactMay 20, 2026
    Environmental authorities in Korea issued a public safety advisory Wednesday,… Read more: As crows dive-bomb pedestrians, gov’t warns against eye contact
  • Kakao union says strike vote passes at 5 affiliatesMay 20, 2026
    A labor union of Kakao, the operator of Korea’s popular… Read more: Kakao union says strike vote passes at 5 affiliates

Latest Community Feeds

  • I made a funny drawing of the 10 tallest buildings in South Korea.May 20, 2026
  • True I.O.I fans, what do you guys think of “Suddenly”?May 20, 2026
  • I really think HYBE was better with boy bandMay 20, 2026
  • Why Taiwan Strait stability matters to South Korea beyond ideologyMay 20, 2026
  • [Breaking] Samsung Electronics union to launch strike after talks collapseMay 20, 2026
  • Stanning smaller groups vs. Big 4 groupsMay 20, 2026
  • Random Korea PicMay 20, 2026
  • The 1,500 Won ceiling is officially holding, defying a record current account surplus. Structural shift or temporary anomaly?May 20, 2026
  • Why have K-pop solo careers become less successful in recent years?May 20, 2026
  • All time fav earworm songs or songs you can’t stop playing recently? Gimmie recs!May 20, 2026
  • bibim guksuMay 20, 2026
  • Korean food: Jajangmyeon & TangsuyukMay 20, 2026
  • Seoul calls North, South Korea ‘two states’ for first time in unification white bookMay 20, 2026
  • i.o.i Suddenly perfect song for their comeback/reunionMay 20, 2026
  • Why do modern K-Pop groups last longer than 2nd-Gen groups did?May 20, 2026
  • South Korean defense firms face growing pressure from U.S. cyber rulesMay 20, 2026
  • Tried making Hotteok and kkwabaegiMay 20, 2026
  • Korean Custard Cream BreadMay 20, 2026
  • ZB1’s Ascend Album surprised me and I’m buying itMay 20, 2026
  • Kimchi 🙂May 20, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (20,811)
    • Community (14,988)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,619)
  • 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

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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