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Fame

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Do kpop idols/trainees have to change their contact information when they debut?

    Oct 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m just curious like when they start training or finally debut and become an idol. Do they have to change…

    Fame
  • The Silent Detonation: Lee Know, Gucci, and the New Era of Pop

    Oct 27, 2026
    in Feeds
    The Silent Detonation: Lee Know, Gucci, and the New Era of Pop

    Digital Cover Story: The Architecture of Cold Fire The air in the studio does not hum; it braces. Against a…

    Fame, Japan, K-pop, KT, LG, Military, Photography
  • BTS’s charisma as artists is really fascinating

    Oct 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    People are always wondering what it is that makes BTS so successful and, honestly, I think their charisma plays a…

    BTS, Fame
  • African architect’s career break leads to unexpected modeling fame in Korea

    Oct 22, 2026
    in News

    For Tanoé Akouba Leïla Olivia, modeling was the last thing on her mind when she came to Korea, because she…

    Fame, Parents, travel
  • If Katseye had to operate more like a traditional kpop group, how do you think they would have fared?

    Oct 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I think the girls are in a really good position where they get to experience fame but still have a…

    Fame, Scandal
  • Do you ever think about how conflicting it would be to debut in a group with one Superstar member?

    Oct 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Imagine you train for years and years to debut in a group, and you finally get to. Everything you worked…

    Fame, K-pop
  • question: parenthood/marriagw for male vs female idols

    Oct 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    why does a female kpop idol getting pregnant and/or married essentially end her career, followed by extreme public backlash and…

    Fame, Question, Sex
  • Blackpink is insanely successful given how little music they make

    Oct 5, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Blackpink debuted 10 years ago. In a decade, they released 2 full albums, 3 mini albums, with a total of…

    Fame
  • Melania Trump hosts China’s first lady for outing watched for diplomacy and style

    Sep 24, 2026
    in News

    WASHINGTON — Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan on Thursday toured one of the largest Asian art museums in the United…

    Fame
  • Chicken dishes give wings to Chuncheon tourism, fuel local economy

    Sep 11, 2026
    in News

    CHUNCHEON, Gangwon Province — Famous for its stir-fried and grilled chicken dish, known in Korean as dakgalbi, Chuncheon has long…

    Fame, Tourism
  • Can 4th gen boy groups stay relevant through their military era?

    Sep 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As someone who‘s a fan of 4th gen bgs I’ve been thinking more and more about their military era. What…

    BTS, Curiosity, Fame, Military
  • I think that fans put too many expectations on K-pop groups when it comes to them not achieving the global success of BTS and Blackpink.

    Sep 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Disclaimer: I understand that fans want their groups to be successful when it comes to achieving popularity both domestically and…

    BTS, Discussion, Fame, K-pop, K-pop Fans, Question
  • Could EXO have reached BTS/BP level of global stardom and what would it take newer groups to get there?

    Sep 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was watching EXO music videos today and their music is honestly so good. It got me thinking about past…

    BTS, Discussion, Fame, Social Media
  • If you could bless ONE group with the same amount of love and recognition that BTS gets, which group would you give it too?

    Sep 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Also please don’t take this as some form of shade at BTS. I’m a casual fan of them and definitely…

    BTS, Fame
  • What’s the Stupidest Take That You’ve Ever Seen From a Kpop Fan?

    Sep 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m talking about dead-serious takes, not joking ones like the ones you’d find on [r/kpoopheads](r/kpoopheads). Here are some of my…

    Fame, Sex
  • Why I want to become an idol (being brutally honest)

    Sep 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    ​ Please help me out :(( So hybe has started auditions in many countries and they’re auditioning in my country…

    Fame
  • What exactly is Lisa trying to be as a solo artist?

    Sep 2, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been a BLINK for years, but now that I’m looking at the members beyond BLACKPINK, I keep coming back…

    Celebrity, Fame, K-pop, Question
  • as a blink of 6 years, my biggest concern with blackpink has always been their lack of communication and i think it’s starting to limit their artistry

    Aug 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    from the beginning, they’ve mostly operated within the traditional framework of what’s considered acceptable for k pop idols. i don’t…

    apology, Fame, KT, Question
  • Architectural Instincts: How Kim Sejeong Rewrote the Global Idol Paradigm

    Aug 27, 2026
    in Feeds
    Architectural Instincts: How Kim Sejeong Rewrote the Global Idol Paradigm

    Architectural Instincts: How Kim Sejeong Rewrote the Global Idol Paradigm The key light hits the studio floor at 400 lumens…

    Fame, Japan, K-pop, KT, Lotte, Seoul, study
  • Am I the only one who finds it disrespectful and disingenuous whenever a person says “xx deserves Blackpink’s popularity?

    Aug 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Recently, I had seen posts, videos, and comments stating that “xx deserves Blackpink’s popularity” as these posts, videos, and comments…

    Fame, K-pop
  • Is something wrong with me? Am I too nice?

    Aug 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I saw bigbang’s collaboration with epik high on their EPIKASE channel and found out TOP departed BigBang. I feel sad…

    Fame
  • Cover Story: SANA: The Center of Gravity

    Aug 24, 2026
    in Feeds
    Cover Story: SANA: The Center of Gravity

    The studio camera clicks, and the air in the room noticeably shifts. It isn’t just the change in lighting or…

    Fame, Japan, K-pop, request, Tokyo
  • Jin, Reflected: Inside a Portrait of Quiet Power

    Aug 7, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jin, Reflected: Inside a Portrait of Quiet Power

    BTS’s eldest returns to the frame not as a comeback story, but as a study in what stillness can say…

    apology, BTS, Celebrity, Curiosity, Fame, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography, purpose, study
  • I finally became a BRIIZE… but I feel like I joined at the worst time

    Jul 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve recently become a new BRIIZE and I’m still trying to catch up with everything that’s happened around the group,…

    Controversy, Fame, history
  • Listening to RIIZE’s B-sides made me realize I’ve been missing out

    Jul 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was looking for songs similar to FAME, and I just realized something… RIIZE has so many songs that I…

    Fame, KT
  • Jaehyun Returns in Prada: The Calm Power of K-Pop’s Modern Icon

    Jul 24, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jaehyun Returns in Prada: The Calm Power of K-Pop’s Modern Icon

    Hero Lead NCT’s Jaehyun doesn’t just enter a frame — he slows time. In the new W Korea x Prada…

    Fame, Gen Z, Japan, K-pop, KT, Military, Photography
  • City that never sleeps: Seoul opens Han River parks to overnight camping

    Jul 23, 2026
    in News
    City that never sleeps: Seoul opens Han River parks to overnight camping

    As summer temperatures peak across the Korean peninsula, the municipal government is taking a bold gamble on the economic potential…

    Fame, Seoul
  • If a group isn’t famous, does that mean we don’t have the right to talk about how talented they are?

    Jul 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I left a comment on a video asking viewers who they thought was the fastest female rapper of the fifth…

    Fame, K-pop
  • Jin, Undressed of Armor – BTS Jin ELLE Korea August 2026 Cover 

    Jul 11, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jin, Undressed of Armor – BTS Jin ELLE Korea August 2026 Cover 

    On the ELLE Korea x Gucci pages, BTS’s eldest member trades the idol’s shine for something rarer — the stillness…

    BTS, Fame, Gen Z, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography
  • I’m Kind of Sad About ATEEZ’s Last Comeback? (As a Debuttiny)

    Jun 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Okay so like it says in the title, I have been an ATEEZ fan since /debut/. Like I’m talking October…

    BTS, Fame, KT
  • Remember when people believed that BTS rising up would lead to end of the monopolization the big 3 had on the K-Pop Industry? Well now it’s the Big 4, what happened?

    Jun 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    The death of big groups from small and mid-sized companies is truly sad. I always see people complaining about the…

    BTS, Fame, family, K-pop, K-pop industry, Question
  • The Korean Emotions behind BTS’s ARIRANG [Part 2/3]

    Jun 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    PART 1 [Note: the lyric translations I refer to were provided by doolset lyrics] SWIM [title track] As the centerpiece…

    BTS, Fame, Peace, Question, Suga
  • Is what JYPE did with Twice was a Overcorrection after misshaped happened with Miss A? Or it was needed?

    Jun 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    So most the the fan knows what happened with Miss A, if don’t basically JYPE used promote individual activities for…

    Fame, Social Media
  • What do you guys think of members that barely get screentime or lines?

    Jun 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I am not talking about single instances of line distribution or mvs but the constant pushing that u can pretty…

    Fame, K-pop
  • Extremely Talented kpop idols/trainees who didn’t get chance to show their talent?

    Jun 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Many (not all ofc) kpop idols nowadays lack that talent which was till 4th gen. Like I feel something is…

    Fame
  • “it’s not that deep”…when is anything ever deep in kpop?

    Jun 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Some idol/ grp collabs with an problematic western artist with a history of making revenge corn and SA? “Oh, that…

    Fame, history, Sex, Social Media
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Latest Korean News

  • KBO asks MLB to post All-Star slugger Roh Si-hwanOctober 31, 2026
    The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Saturday it has asked… Read more: KBO asks MLB to post All-Star slugger Roh Si-hwan
  • Women denied access to education mourn principal who gave it backOctober 31, 2026
    “You have to go to your families and say, ‘I… Read more: Women denied access to education mourn principal who gave it back
  • Korea’s top diplomat discusses ties with German, Polish counterpartsOctober 31, 2026
    Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met separately with his German and… Read more: Korea’s top diplomat discusses ties with German, Polish counterparts
  • Love hotteok? Here’s how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your dietOctober 31, 2026
    Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Comedian Shin Bong-sun,… Read more: Love hotteok? Here’s how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your diet
  • 샘 올트먼 오픈AI CEO, 삼성 사장단 50명과 AI 미래 전략 논의October 31, 2026
    단순히 인공지능(AI)을 도입하는 것만으로는 더 이상 시장에서 지속 가능한 우위를… Read more: 샘 올트먼 오픈AI CEO, 삼성 사장단 50명과 AI 미래 전략 논의

Latest Community Feeds

  • Help – Jobs in Korea for a GyopoNovember 1, 2026
  • Why is this allowed in fancalls ? Is this valid or nah ?November 1, 2026
  • Coers should stop acting like CORTIS are the only self producing groupNovember 1, 2026
  • Casual Chat – (November 01)November 1, 2026
  • Do you guys ever regret buying kpop merch? what do you do with it after?November 1, 2026
  • Korean-style fried chicken is the bestNovember 1, 2026
  • My Baesuk (first attempt)November 1, 2026
  • Spicy Korean shabu-shabu & mandu jeongol (hot pot) with handmade noodles [OC]November 1, 2026
  • [OC] A morning hike to Witse Oreum (윗세오름), JejuNovember 1, 2026
  • Made a Korean friend through GTA Online — any advice on Korean social norms?November 1, 2026
  • Rainy Sunday in Korea 🌧️🇰🇷November 1, 2026
  • Traditional Korean Wellness TherapiesNovember 1, 2026
  • National Pension Recipients Top 8 Million, Majority Under 600,000 WonNovember 1, 2026
  • 삼립호빵 바질치즈 호빵November 1, 2026
  • Preparing for the end of the world at Daiso 🎒November 1, 2026
  • Why I think BTS is so successful compared to other groupsNovember 1, 2026
  • The Concept of Girls Planet 999 was so unnecessaryNovember 1, 2026
  • 분식 표준..김떡튀November 1, 2026
  • kimchi🥰November 1, 2026
  • I hate how idols getting thin as skeleton isn’t dying down at all.November 1, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (27,122)
    • Community (20,270)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,423)
  • 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