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history

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • This sub is a breeding ground for hatred

    Aug 22, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Every time a post on this subreddit pops up on my feed it is ALWAYS negative. It is always someone…

    history
  • How much was and is K-pop consumed in Korea during the 1st-5th generation?

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Recently, I was watching a video posted by a Army YouTuber named Boracity Magazine titled “bts and “k-pop without the…

    BTS, history, K-pop, K-pop Fans, Question
  • Seodaemun District celebrates Chinese heritage through food

    Aug 21, 2026
    in News
    Seodaemun District celebrates Chinese heritage through food

    In the heart of Yeonhui-dong, a neighborhood in northwestern Seoul where traditional red-brick residences sit alongside Chinese restaurants and the…

    history, Seoul
  • Korean judoka sets sights on Asian Games gold in native Japan

    Aug 20, 2026
    in News
    Korean judoka sets sights on Asian Games gold in native Japan

    JINCHEON — Tokyo-born Korean judoka Huh Mimi said Thursday she will lean on support from her loved ones in her…

    history, Japan, Seoul, Tokyo
  • FEBC-Korea holds patriotic concerts to mark 70th anniversary

    Aug 20, 2026
    in News
    FEBC-Korea holds patriotic concerts to mark 70th anniversary

    Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea’s choir hosted its annual FEBC-Korea Children’s Choir Patriotic Concert in Yeosu and Iksan, drawing a…

    history, Peace
  • Do you guys remember the MASSIVE backlash to NMIXX’s debut?

    Aug 20, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was just looking through some old threads of K-pop songs from years ago and came across NMIXX’s debut. This…

    BTS, history, K-pop, K-pop Fans
  • Why do people hate BTS? I’m an army, and I’m aware that they have also made mistakes in past !. Why do people hate BTS? As an ARMY, I know they have made mistakes in the past. However, when people criticize them for their actions, why can’t they also see their incredible struggles and all the good a

    Aug 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Why do people just hate BTS? Like whyy I honestly don’t get why people waste so much energy actively hating…

    BTS, Controversy, history, K-pop, K-pop Fans
  • Interesting Video

    Aug 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I saw this interesting youtube channel (DOKDO Korea) that had a pared down version of Korean/Dokdo history vids put to…

    history
  • B.A.P: The Forgotten Blueprint — Does a Group’s Eventual Commercial Failure Erase Its Influence?

    Aug 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    ​ Before B.A.P’s upcoming 15th anniversary, it is time to ask what they actually left behind Some groups define an…

    BTS, coffee, Controversy, Discussion, fail, history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Question, study
  • Actress Hayoung’s ‘four generations of doctors’ brag backfired hard — the deeper history behind why Koreans are furious”

    Aug 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi r/korea, I’ve been following the Hayoung (“하영”) family scandal closely and did my own write-up analyzing it — pulling…

    apology, Celebrity, Crime, Daejeon, family, Historical Figure, history, Japan, Korean History, Koreans, Medical, Old Korea, Punishment, Question, Scandal, Seoul, study, Survey, Tokyo
  • I dont understand the BTS / Chris Brown drama

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As a BTS fan, I honestly don’t understand why people are shocked that Chris Brown is part of this conversation.…

    BTS, history
  • Le Sserafim were amazing at Summer Sonic.

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I finished watching the live stream of their Summer Sonic show in Tokyo a couple hours ago and I’m still…

    history, Tokyo
  • Outline of Korea, 1933

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Outline of Korea, 1933

    A scarce official publication issued by the Government-General of Korea during the Japanese colonial period. This hardcover volume is an…

    history, Japan, Korean History, study
  • Hyeri, Unfiltered: The New Language of K-Pop Stardom

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Feeds
    Hyeri, Unfiltered: The New Language of K-Pop Stardom

    Girl’s Day Hyeri — SENSE Magazine, September 2026 Issue Covers The room changes first Before Hyeri speaks, the room has…

    Celebrity, history, Japan, K-pop, Korean Art, KT, LG, Photography, travel
  • SF9 Own the Static: Inside TENACITY’s INTEND Era

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Feeds
    SF9 Own the Static: Inside TENACITY’s INTEND Era

    The Moment Before the Engine Turns Over There’s a version of golden hour that only exists at gas stations —…

    history, Japan, K-pop, KT, LG, Photography, Stress
  • Korean whale bone knife – Have you seen something like this before? Is this a practical knife or ment for decoration?

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Korean whale bone knife – Have you seen something like this before? Is this a practical knife or ment for decoration?

    ​ My wife was handed down this family heirloom. Heres the story. Her grandfather served in the Korean war with…

    family, history, Korean War
  • Happy Independence day (Appreciation post)

    Aug 15, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Happy Independence day (Appreciation post)

    https://preview.redd.it/gcphzno0xgjh1.png?width=678&format=png&auto=webp&s=0a0ee5f282b233d83cbf64424ac10471fd649805 I am from India, and only today found out we share a common Independence day. There was a lady…

    history
  • NCT 127’s BLINGY: The Future Arrives in Formation

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Feeds
    NCT 127’s BLINGY: The Future Arrives in Formation

    NCT 127’s 7th Full Album “BLINGY” and the New Architecture of K-pop The table is already in motion. Chrome rods…

    Curiosity, Global Expansion, history, Japan, K-pop, Military, Question, travel
  • Balhae Descendants of Goguryeo Lineage Continued Their Family Line in Goryeo

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Balhae Descendants of Goguryeo Lineage Continued Their Family Line in Goryeo

    One aspect of Balhae history that is often overlooked is what happened to members of its royal family and their…

    family, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Japan, japanese invasion, Joseon, Korean History, Military
  • What are some K-Pop groups that were specifically built around a member?

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    For example, SM considered many different lineups of their trainees for SHINee, but the two constants were always Jonghyun and…

    BTS, history, K-pop
  • Jun. K (2PM) – Digital Single ‘Your Lips (feat. Red Velvet Wendy)’ (Concept Photo

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jun. K (2PM) – Digital Single ‘Your Lips (feat. Red Velvet Wendy)’ (Concept Photo

    Jun. K steps into frame like a secret the industry already knows but still can’t stop replaying. In the concept…

    Global Expansion, history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Seoul, travel
  • RM and J-Hope at the Chris Brown/Usher show. Can we talk about the pattern here?

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I say this as someone who genuinely enjoys BTS’s music (I was just at two nights in Baltimore). I’m not…

    BTS, history, Japan, Putin, TCL, Tokyo, travel
  • bts deserve the backlash the (will) receive

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been an army for some time now but with what has been happening this week with BTS, I dont…

    BTS, history
  • Where Did the Refugees of Balhae Go?

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Where Did the Refugees of Balhae Go?

    The Migration of Balhae Refugees (Naetu, 來投) The migration of Balhae refugees (Naetu, 來投) refers to the historical movement of…

    Baekje, family, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Korean History, Military, Pyongyang
  • BIGBANG’s “BiiiG”: The Shape of Pop, Styled in Motion

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Feeds
    BIGBANG’s “BiiiG”: The Shape of Pop, Styled in Motion

    BIGBANG do not simply return to the frame — they re-enter it like a signal flare. In the new “BiiiG”…

    history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Seoul
  • By 2030, Korean women are projected to become the first population in human history with an average life expectancy above 90 years, surpassing even Japan, industrialized nations, in a shift driven by improvements in cardiovascular health and near-universal healthcare

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    By 2030, Korean women are projected to become the first population in human history with an average life expectancy above 90 years, surpassing even Japan, industrialized nations, in a shift driven by improvements in cardiovascular health and near-universal healthcare

    By 2030, the average woman in South Korea is projected to live past 90. Not the lucky ones. Not the…

    driver, history, Japan, KT, Seoul, study, Warning
  • How would North Americans and Europeans view actor Ha Young’s great-grandfather controversy if framed through a similar lens?

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As a Korean, I’m writing this because I’m genuinely curious about how people from North America or Europe view this…

    apology, Controversy, Curiosity, family, history, Japan, Korean History, Koreans, netizens, Punishment
  • Ateez San is facing massive backlash from football fans right now

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Apparently, when San was invited to do a ceremonial kick at a football game in Korea a couple of days…

    history, K-pop
  • Why is South Korean actress Ha-young getting so much backlash from Koreans right now?

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Before getting into this, you need to understand a little bit of South Korean history so you can understand why…

    apology, Controversy, Crime, Daejeon, fail, family, history, Japan, Korean History, Korean Language, Koreans, Medical, Military, Parents, Question, Social Media, Tokyo
  • Looking for historical sites related to early Korean immigrant communities (pre-1950s)

    Aug 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been researching early Korean diaspora history—specifically historical sites, former community halls, independence movement spots, or early churches outside of…

    history, Military
  • Karina is the most beautiful women in the world. Maybe even in history.

    Aug 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I have never seen a more beautiful women than Karina. Like seriously, she may be the most beautiful women in…

    history
  • ALL’N’s Dream Higher: K-pop’s New Moodboard Power

    Aug 9, 2026
    in Feeds
    ALL’N’s Dream Higher: K-pop’s New Moodboard Power

    Opening frame Rain falls like a special effect, but the shot feels less staged than summoned. In the teaser images…

    Global Expansion, history, Japan, K-pop, KT, purpose, Tokyo
  • As world rediscovers ‘The Odyssey,’ disabled actors in Greece explore pain of war

    Aug 9, 2026
    in News
    As world rediscovers ‘The Odyssey,’ disabled actors in Greece explore pain of war

    EPIDAURUS, Greece — As Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” renews global fascination with Homer, a cast of disabled and non-disabled performers…

    history
  • “Han” — a recurring theme in Korean culture

    Aug 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    “Han” — a recurring theme in Korean culture

    “Han” (한) is one of those Korean concepts that’s surprisingly difficult to translate into English. In many cultures, stories about…

    history, Justice, Seoul, travel
  • How different do you think T-ara’s fate would had been if the bullying scandal didn’t happened

    Aug 6, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I think its pretty safe to say that T-ara are one of the biggest what ifs in Kpop. After their…

    Controversy, history, Japan, Scandal
  • Why not just debut tuide in Pledis instead of wasting money on establishing a new label?

    Aug 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hybe is about to debut a new girlgroup called tuide under a new label that they just established 2 months…

    history, LG
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Latest Korean News

  • Samsung Electronics likely to announce $72.4 bil. shareholder returns: sourcesAugust 21, 2026
    Samsung Electronics is poised to return at least 100 trillion… Read more: Samsung Electronics likely to announce $72.4 bil. shareholder returns: sources
  • New BOK senior deputy gov. calls for prudent, flexible monetary policyAugust 21, 2026
    The new senior deputy governor of the Bank of Korea… Read more: New BOK senior deputy gov. calls for prudent, flexible monetary policy
  • Seodaemun District celebrates Chinese heritage through foodAugust 21, 2026
    In the heart of Yeonhui-dong, a neighborhood in northwestern Seoul… Read more: Seodaemun District celebrates Chinese heritage through food
  • [REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK] Hyundai Motor’s stock rally puts Munoz to testAugust 21, 2026
    How much of Hyundai Motor’s dramatic stock rally can be… Read more: [REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK] Hyundai Motor’s stock rally puts Munoz to test
  • Busan to host 2026 Medical Tourism Fair next weekAugust 21, 2026
    Busan Metropolitan City will host the “2026 Medical Tourism Business… Read more: Busan to host 2026 Medical Tourism Fair next week

Latest Community Feeds

  • Chinese memory firm CXMT relied on leaked Samsung technology to skip years of R&D, court testimony claimsAugust 22, 2026
  • What makes your ult group your ult group?August 22, 2026
  • This sub is a breeding ground for hatredAugust 22, 2026
  • Why does K-pop fans think that the gap between Blackpink and other groups are small?August 22, 2026
  • How much was and is K-pop consumed in Korea during the 1st-5th generation?August 21, 2026
  • What’s fun in kpop right now? Need RecommendationsAugust 21, 2026
  • Cant find many vids of Jooheons ‘Sting’ danceAugust 21, 2026
  • kpop idols continuously doing ai music dance trends sucksAugust 21, 2026
  • nuke against nukeAugust 21, 2026
  • Regarding Le Sserafim’s recent prerecorded vocals controversyAugust 21, 2026
  • No, female idols are not offended by Blackpink’s lyrics in their songs.August 21, 2026
  • A stranger handed me some tissues while I was cryingAugust 21, 2026
  • North Korea: Will Trump-Kim talks happen anytime soon?August 21, 2026
  • Thoughts on Enhypen’s today comeback?? (The sin :Vanish)August 21, 2026
  • random thought but i feel like treasure is kinda underratedAugust 21, 2026
  • Vernon was right, kpop is not kpopping anymoreAugust 21, 2026
  • Why is the narrative that idols are not allowed to date and only love their fans so normalized?August 21, 2026
  • Why are the members of Blackpink the only artists to have their solo careers analyzed and compared to despite other popular girl groups in K-pop having members debuting as soloists?August 21, 2026
  • Highballs in KoreaAugust 21, 2026
  • Why do kpop idols still use -요 ending in their conversations between members?August 21, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (24,894)
    • Community (18,481)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,086)
  • 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