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

fail

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Tencent eyes 2nd-largest stake in Kakao Mobility amid borader Korea push

    Jun 18, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Tencent eyes 2nd-largest stake in Kakao Mobility amid borader Korea push

    Tencent headquarters building in Shenzhen, China (Courtesy of Tencent)  Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has emerged as a surprise…

    fail, K-pop, Kakao
  • [MEGATHREAD] NewJeans Appeal Fails

    Jun 18, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    On 17th June, the Seoul High Court rejected the members of NewJeans’ appeal against the injunction that barred them from…

    Controversy, Discussion, fail, Seoul
  • Hong Kong-based Anchor Equity puts Korea’s Danbi Education up for sale

    Jun 17, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Hong Kong-based Anchor Equity puts Korea’s Danbi Education up for sale

    Anchor Equity Partners is a Hong Kong-based private equity firm Anchor Equity Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity firm, is…

    birthrate, fail
  • Critical Korean review of ITZY’s Girls Will Be Girls EP hits on the problems with the album and their direction

    Jun 16, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Here is a translation of the review from IZM which gave the EP 1.5/5 stars: ITZY, who debuted with “DALLA…

    fail, K-pop
  • CJ CGV under pressure to shed China, Vietnam cinema assets

    Jun 16, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    CJ CGV under pressure to shed China, Vietnam cinema assets

    A CGV multiplex in Seoul (Courtesy of Yonhap) MBK Partners and Mirae Asset Securities Co. are considering divesting CGI Holdings…

    BTS, fail, Seoul
  • [Extra Long Legal Drama] TVXQ’s Split: Revisiting and Analyzing the Lawsuit that Changed K-POP & Slave Contracts

    Jun 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Edit: I am trying to fix some quotes, bc for some reason they got messed up after posting! Given the…

    Advice, Blacklist, coffee, Discussion, fail, Fame, family, financial crisis, Japan, K-pop, Military, Parents, purpose, Question, Seoul, Stress, Teenager, Tokyo
  • The golden age of Korean language education is failing the teachers who made it possible

    Jun 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

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

    fail, Korean Language
  • Ateez Origins — A mini bio of Yeosang for Yeosang’s Birthday

    Jun 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Last year I posted a mini bio post on Seonghwa for his birthday. The post was well received so I…

    Busan, Chuseok, Discussion, Ewha, fail, family, history, Japan, Lotte, New Law, Parents, Pohang, POSCO, purpose, Seoul, Social Media, study, Subway, travel
  • Samsung supplies HBM3E to AMD’s new accelerators

    Jun 13, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Samsung supplies HBM3E to AMD’s new accelerators

    AMD MI350 series (Screenshot captured from AMD’s online news release)  Samsung Electronics Co. has delivered the fifth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM)…

    fail, Nvidia, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix
  • MBK-owned Homeplus looks for new owner as M&A emerges as option

    Jun 12, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    MBK-owned Homeplus looks for new owner as M&A emerges as option

    Homeplus’ logo seen outside an outet in central Seoul South Korea’s leading hypermarket chain Homeplus Co. is once again up…

    fail, Lotte, Naver, Ourhome, Protest, request, Seoul, Shopping
  • So is gnarly proof that k-pop can’t really fail?

    Jun 11, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Yeah the song absolutely sucks, not really a discussion to be had, I get it some people can like it,…

    Discussion, fail, K-pop
  • Lotte Chemical, HD Hyundai seek to combine naphtha cracking facilities

    Jun 11, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Lotte Chemical, HD Hyundai seek to combine naphtha cracking facilities

    A DL Chemical plant in Korea Lotte Chemical Corp. and HD Hyundai Co. are in talks to consolidate their naphtha…

    fail, Hyundai, LG, Lotte, study
  • In Seoul, once-rising art hub feels pinch of global strains  

    Jun 5, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    In Seoul, once-rising art hub feels pinch of global strains  

    2023 Kiaf Seoul x Frieze Seoul at COEX, Seoul Sept. 6-10, 2023  In Seoul’s Hannam district, the storefront that once…

    Contemporary Korean Art, fail, Kia, Korean Art, Seoul
  • Proxy voting rises in South Korea, but few vetoes cast

    Jun 5, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Proxy voting rises in South Korea, but few vetoes cast

    (Courtesy of Getty Images) An increasing number of asset management firms in South Korea are exercising their voting rights at…

    fail, Korea Zinc
  • Newly diagnosed chronic kidney disease, diet, and Korean food

    Jun 4, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with chronic kidney disease likely related to my autoimmune disease, in my 30s. Now,…

    fail, Kimchi, Korean Food
  • South Korea’s liberal Lee Jae-myung leads presidential vote – exit poll

    Jun 3, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    South Korea’s liberal Lee Jae-myung leads presidential vote – exit poll

    South Korea’s liberal politician Lee Jae-myung has two thumbs up after his last campaign on June 2, 2025, in Seoul…

    Democracy, Discussion, Donald Trump, fail, family, Japan, Lawmakers, martial law, Military, North Korea, Pyongyang, Scandal, Seoul, Survey
  • Ex-TSMC executive joins Samsung Foundry to lead US expansion

    Jun 2, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Ex-TSMC executive joins Samsung Foundry to lead US expansion

    Samsung Electronics’ chip cleanroom Samsung Electronics Co. has brought a former Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) executive on board…

    fail, Nvidia, Samsung, Samsung Electronics
  • What makes a genuine apology and what should we expect?

    May 31, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    A lot of people are making posts and asking what it would take to forgive Kiss of Life. I wanted…

    apology, fail
  • “If Japan loses, Koreans will fight each other, divided by foreign powers”: June 1945 warning by Korean collaborator (박춘금, 朴春琴) who urged authorities to redirect Korean nationalism into support for Imperial Japan

    May 31, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    This is a translation of a Japanese newspaper roundtable discussion from June 1945, held just two months before Imperial Japan’s…

    Discussion, fail, germany, Japan, Koreans, Question, Warning, World War
  • HYBE Bang under financial watchdog’s scrutiny for alleged unfair trading

    May 29, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    HYBE Bang under financial watchdog’s scrutiny for alleged unfair trading

    HYBE CEO Bang Si-hyuk (Courtesy of Yonhap) Bang Si-hyuk, founder and chairman of HYBE Co., the South Korean entertainment giant…

    BTS, fail, K-pop, request, Seoul
  • Lee Junseok admits he went home to take a shower after martial law declaration. Faults DP politicians who failed to enter parliament

    May 27, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Lee Junseok admits he went home to take a shower after martial law declaration. Faults DP politicians who failed to enter parliament

    submitted by /u/self-fix [link] [comments]

    fail, martial law
  • Purple Perilla

    May 26, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Purple Perilla

    I love kkaenip ssam with perilla fresh from the garden in the summer. I bought what I thought were basic…

    fail
  • KPOP feels less melodious and more unpleasant to listen to as the years go by

    May 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    It’s something that I’ve always had a lot of trouble with when it comes to 4th gen and 5th gen…

    fail
  • Bain Capital sells 6% stake in Korea’s Classys via block deal for $163 million

    May 19, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Bain Capital sells 6% stake in Korea’s Classys via block deal for $163 million

    Commercial for Classys’ beauty device Shurink Universe (File photo by Classys) Bain Capital LP has offloaded a 6% stake in…

    fail, Medical, Seoul
  • Why can‘t people just be more honest about their feelings of dislike?

    May 16, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Have you ever had this experience of reading a K-Pop Reddit post and having this weird feeling like something is…

    Discussion, fail, K-pop, Peace
  • reselling on Interpark

    May 16, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    how does reselling on Interpark work? I failed to get a ticket for a concert I was really looking forward…

    fail
  • K-Pop Reddit thinks it‘s okay to hate on certain groups depending on how their fans behave on other platforms!

    May 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    K-Pop Reddit thinks it‘s okay to hate on certain groups depending on how their fans behave on other completely unrelated…

    BTS, fail, K-pop, purpose, Social Media
  • Lotte to retake $269 mn stake in logistics arm after flopped IPO

    May 13, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Lotte to retake $269 mn stake in logistics arm after flopped IPO

    Lotte Group, South Korea’s fifth-largest conglomerate by assets, will buy back a stake in Lotte Global Logistics Co. from the…

    fail, Lotte, Seoul
  • MBK’s Lotte Card sale gains momentum amid Homeplus fallout

    May 11, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    MBK’s Lotte Card sale gains momentum amid Homeplus fallout

    Lotte mobile card interface (Courtesy of Lotte Card)  North Asia-focused private equity firm MBK Partners’ second attempt to exit Lotte…

    Controversy, fail, Hyundai, Lotte, purpose, Samsung, Shinhan Card, Shopping
  • What are some of the most iconic girl group (core) moments?

    May 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Sana: “cheesi gimbap?” Yuqi’s helicopter ride phone flying “I like girls…” “Generation?” Sua biting Siyeon’s lip in peppero game Jisoo:…

    fail, Japan
  • Korea’s Sono to sell Air Premia stake to focus on other LCC

    May 6, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Korea’s Sono to sell Air Premia stake to focus on other LCC

    (File photo by Air Premia) South Korea’s top resort operator Sono Hospitality Group has decided to sell its entire stake…

    fail, family, purpose, request, Seoul
  • Why Loona is my favorite romantic concept

    Apr 30, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I heard it pointed out once that we say sex is taboo, then talk about sex basically all the time.…

    Affinity, fail, family, Question, Sex
  • WeMade accuses Shengqu Games of withholding $600 mn in royalties

    Apr 21, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    WeMade accuses Shengqu Games of withholding $600 mn in royalties

    Mir Trilogy, a franchise based on WeMade’s online game “The Legend of Mir 2” WeMade Co. on Monday asked the…

    fail
  • One of many beautiful moments in life; Epilogue: Young Forever

    Apr 20, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    It has been 9 years since BTS pre-release this single for their compilation album The Most Beautiful Moments in Life:…

    BTS, fail
  • Korea not to appeal ruling in favor of Mason Capital in Samsung case

    Apr 18, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Korea not to appeal ruling in favor of Mason Capital in Samsung case

    (File photo by Sol Lee) South Korea said on Friday it has decided not to appeal a Singaporean court’s rejection…

    Discussion, fail, Justice, request, Samsung
  • LG Chem’s medical skin-care business sale draws tepid bid

    Apr 18, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    LG Chem’s medical skin-care business sale draws tepid bid

    LG Chem’s skin filler products under Yvoire brand (Courtesy of LG Chem) South Korean chemical giant LG Chem Ltd.’s offer…

    fail, LG, Medical, Seoul
←Previous Page Next Page→

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

  • Hyundai speeds up Africa-Middle East drive with Algeria plantAugust 15, 2025
    (Courtesy of Getty Images)  Hyundai Motor Co. plans to build… Read more: Hyundai speeds up Africa-Middle East drive with Algeria plant
  • Korean retail investors pile into Hong Kong shares on China tech surgeAugust 15, 2025
    Hong Kong city view (Courtesy of Getty Images)  South Korean… Read more: Korean retail investors pile into Hong Kong shares on China tech surge
  • S.Korea cracks down on Chinese color-coated steel plate tariff evasionAugust 14, 2025
    Thick steel plates produced at a Hyundai Steel mill (Courtesy… Read more: S.Korea cracks down on Chinese color-coated steel plate tariff evasion
  • HMM to buy back $1.5 bn shares, paving way for KDB’s fund recoveryAugust 14, 2025
    HMM Co., South Korea’s largest shipping firm, will buy back… Read more: HMM to buy back $1.5 bn shares, paving way for KDB’s fund recovery
  • Mastern Investment puts 13 E-Mart outlets up for sale in package dealAugust 14, 2025
    E-Mart is the supermarket brand of Shinsegae Group Mastern Investment… Read more: Mastern Investment puts 13 E-Mart outlets up for sale in package deal

Latest Community Feeds

  • Park Seung-soo is on the bench for Newcastle’s first game of the seasonAugust 16, 2025
  • What is the difference between barley malt powder vs barley malt syrup when making shikhye?August 16, 2025
  • Korean Halmuni VestAugust 16, 2025
  • Restaurant food, post #44August 16, 2025
  • Why Vietnam is turning to Korea for K9 howitzers and shipbuilding cooperationAugust 16, 2025
  • Unpopular opinion about concerts and companiesAugust 16, 2025
  • Liberation Day?! 🇰🇷 Thoughts?August 16, 2025
  • Rate my top 10 Title Tracks of the year so far!!August 16, 2025
  • rating every blackpink album/ep/single from best to worstAugust 16, 2025
  • Are there any idols who have had no surgeries or procedures done at all?August 16, 2025
  • Investing in DoosanAugust 16, 2025
  • Mönchengladbach Midfielder Jens Castrop switches allegiance from Germany to South KoreaAugust 15, 2025
  • Michelin recognized gomtangAugust 15, 2025
  • This highly funded AI ethics Professor who was uncovered by Korean researchers is no longer a professorAugust 15, 2025
  • What are your LEAST favorite music videos?August 15, 2025
  • Thinking about how Girls Generation (소녀시대/少女時代) has such a perfect name, and is one of the best group names in kpop, period.August 15, 2025
  • Anyone familiar with the K-Pop scene and culture in Taiwan?August 15, 2025
  • How are so many people able to multistan?August 15, 2025
  • Western kpop fans – did your algorithm switch your ads to Korean after getting into K-pop?August 15, 2025
  • Dinner for TonightAugust 15, 2025

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (11,582)
    • Community (7,612)
    • Entertainment (724)
    • News (3,244)
  • 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