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history

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Second Wife (history of polygamy and concubinage in Korea)

    May 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Second Wife (history of polygamy and concubinage in Korea)

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

    history
  • (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
  • Went to the Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall over the weekend

    May 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Went to the Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall over the weekend

    The 민주화운동기념관, or Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Hall, is a museum and memorial in Seoul built around the former…

    Democracy, history, Korean History, Military, Seoul
  • ALD1: K-Pop’s Next Era Starts in a Laundromat

    May 17, 2026
    in Feeds
    ALD1: K-Pop’s Next Era Starts in a Laundromat

    From the spin cycle to superstardom — ALD1 is K-pop’s most thrilling new chapter, and they’re just getting started. Imagine…

    Gen Z, history, Japan, K-pop, Photography
  • AKMU-style success: is it possible for others?

    May 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Their success totally surprised me in a good way, and it makes me think if idols or artists leave big…

    history
  • Misinformation about May 18 Democracy Uprising rises despite new law

    May 17, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Misinformation about May 18 Democracy Uprising rises despite new law

    Misinformation and disparagement of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement increased significantly last year, despite a 2021 law aimed at…

    Celebrity, Democracy, history, Korean Military, LG, Local News, Military, modern history, Naver, New Law, North Korea, Protest, Pyongyang, Social Media
  • 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
  • BIBI in Full Bloom: Rewriting Pop on Her Own Terms

    May 15, 2026
    in Feeds
    BIBI in Full Bloom: Rewriting Pop on Her Own Terms

    The Cover That Feels Like a Turning Point There’s a specific kind of stillness in BIBI’s Cosmopolitan Korea x Rieti…

    Curiosity, Gen Z, history, Japan, K-pop, KT, Seoul, Social Media, study, Tokyo, Warning
  • ‘The people will prevail’: 1980 report by US rights group details massacre in Gwangju

    May 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    ‘The people will prevail’: 1980 report by US rights group details massacre in Gwangju

    A report prepared by an American human rights group after Chun Doo-hwan ordered the brutal suppression of an uprising in…

    Democracy, fail, history, Korean History, Koreans, Military, Seoul
  • BTS’ Arirang surpassed Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl”

    May 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    BTS’ “ARIRANG” surpasses Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” to become the ONLY album in history to chart all…

    BTS, history
  • Global envoys rediscover earthy elegance of buncheong stoneware

    May 13, 2026
    in News
    Global envoys rediscover earthy elegance of buncheong stoneware

    Deep within the historic enclave that houses the official portraits of Joseon Dynasty kings, a group of global diplomats is…

    history, Joseon
  • Kpop in your spotify all time top songs?

    May 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    So spotify just came out with rediscovering your listening history, which also including them showing your all-time top songs, and…

    BTS, history, K-pop
  • THE LINE BREAKERS — CORTIS, W Korea June 2026

    May 11, 2026
    in Feeds
    THE LINE BREAKERS — CORTIS, W Korea June 2026

    CORTIS don’t follow the script. They wrote one that didn’t exist yet — and the world is still catching up.…

    apology, BTS, history, Japan, K-pop, K-pop industry, Kia, KT, purpose, Question, Stress, Teenager
  • King Sejong’s legacy meets inventor of Korean braille

    May 11, 2026
    in News
    King Sejong’s legacy meets inventor of Korean braille

    A new exhibition opening Thursday in Yeoju draws a striking parallel across five centuries of Korean history: the creation of…

    history, Japan, Korean History
  • Gilded and Unbothered: Karina of aespa Is the New Face of Forever

    May 10, 2026
    in Feeds
    Gilded and Unbothered: Karina of aespa Is the New Face of Forever

    She Doesn’t Walk Into the Room. The Room Reorganises Itself. There are pop stars who command attention, and then there…

    apology, Celebrity, Deepfake, history, Japan, K-pop, K-pop industry, Korean Art, LG, Mystery, Photography, Seoul, Warning
  • AB InBev makes history with 3rd Creative Marketer of Year title

    May 10, 2026
    in News
    AB InBev makes history with 3rd Creative Marketer of Year title

    Global brewing giant AB InBev, parent company of OB Beer, has been named the 2026 Creative Marketer of the Year…

    driver, history
  • TIME IS HIS: Jungkook Commands the Cover in Harper’s BAZAAR Korea x Hublot

    May 9, 2026
    in Feeds
    TIME IS HIS: Jungkook Commands the Cover in Harper’s BAZAAR Korea x Hublot

    정국. Jungkook. Just the Name Is the Story There is a moment — quiet, almost imperceptible — that separates a…

    BTS, Busan, Celebrity, Fame, family, germany, history, Japan, K-pop, Military, Old Korea, Photography, purpose, Question, Seoul, Teenager, Tokyo
  • DMZ – Have any Korean-born foreigners felt deep sadness or sorrow visiting the border?

    May 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    DMZ – Have any Korean-born foreigners felt deep sadness or sorrow visiting the border?

    DMZ – Have any Korean-born foreigners felt deep sadness or sorrow visiting the border? I was born in Seoul Korea…

    Curiosity, family, history, Korean War, Koreans, martial law, North Korea, Parents, Peace, Seoul
  • Stray Kids need a change in Management cuz this is getting frustrating

    May 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    RANT INCOMING For those who don’t know Stray Kids Han dropped a New Song today and while the song itself…

    history, Question, Stress
  • NINGNING:The Girl Who Became the Future

    May 9, 2026
    in Feeds
    NINGNING:The Girl Who Became the Future

    From Harbin to the Met Gala — how aespa’s luminous main vocal became the face of Gucci, the jewel of…

    Celebrity, history, Japan, K-pop, KT, LG, Metaverse, Photography, purpose, Teenager
  • The rise of conspiracy theories and religious paranoia in kpop fandoms needs to be discussed.

    May 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As a christian myself, I genuinely need to ask: what is happening with the rise of “satanic panic” in kpop…

    BTS, history, Peace
  • Incheon museum extends kids’ archaeology exhibit due to high demand

    May 8, 2026
    in News
    Incheon museum extends kids’ archaeology exhibit due to high demand

    An interactive exhibition detailing the subterranean origins of ancient artifacts has been granted a longer run at the Incheon Geomdan…

    family, history, Parents
  • THE SHAPE OF MARK TUAN: GOT7’S FOREVER MAN

    May 7, 2026
    in Feeds
    THE SHAPE OF MARK TUAN: GOT7’S FOREVER MAN

    From a lunchtime audition in California to stadium lights across three continents — Mark Tuan has always known exactly what…

    family, history, Japan, K-pop, Kakao, KT, Photography, purpose, Seoul
  • No one has ever ignored or discredited anything or anyone

    May 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Outside of K-pop, what other genre subreddit constantly argues over who influenced the genre more and tries to claim ownership…

    history, K-pop, K-pop industry
  • The discrediting of Jpop within Kpop discussions

    May 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Especially with certain incidents happening recently, I’ve seen a lot of conversations of how black culture has inspired kpop, whether…

    Discussion, history, Japan, purpose, Sex, Stress, Tokyo
  • BORN TO REIGN: JANG WONYOUNG’S UNSTOPPABLE ERA

    May 6, 2026
    in Feeds
    BORN TO REIGN: JANG WONYOUNG’S UNSTOPPABLE ERA

    She arrived at 14 as a dream. At 21, she’s become the definition. The girl who rewrote K-pop’s rulebook —…

    Advertisement, Gen Z, history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Mystery, Photography, purpose, Seoul, study, Tokyo
  • Historic manor, shamanic paintings elevated in status as National Treasures

    May 6, 2026
    in News
    Historic manor, shamanic paintings elevated in status as National Treasures

    In a quiet village nestled within the heart of North Gyeongsang Province, a centuries-old residence has been elevated to the…

    history, Joseon, Seoul
  • Momo: Where Movement Becomes Magic

    May 5, 2026
    in Feeds
    Momo: Where Movement Becomes Magic

    Momo lands Numéro Tokyo’s most coveted cover of the year — and K-pop’s Dance Machine has never looked more like…

    Celebrity, history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Photography, Seoul, Suga, Teenager, Tokyo
  • Surface Level “Swag”: kpop/khiphop distilling what’s popular into a hyper superficial level

    May 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been into K-pop and K-hiphop for over 10 years, but as a casual international fan, not deep into fandom…

    history, K-pop, study
  • TIL 2 million Koreans in Manchuria lived in one of the largest anarchist communes in world history

    May 3, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    TIL 2 million Koreans in Manchuria lived in one of the largest anarchist communes in world history

    I’m korean and I read 밤은 노래한다 (a very dark novel about the tragedies of koreans in Manchuria) but I…

    family, history, Japan, Koreans, Military
  • Born at Zero: xikers Enter Their Boldest Era Yet

    May 3, 2026
    in Feeds
    Born at Zero: xikers Enter Their Boldest Era Yet

    xikers break free from every map ever drawn for them. ROUTE ZERO : The ORA isn’t a comeback — it’s a coordinates…

    history, Japan, K-pop, Photography, purpose, Seoul, Tokyo, travel
  • Happy Workers’ Day!

    May 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Happy Workers’ Day!

    https://ws.or.kr/article/11676 On August 6, 1987, Hyundai Group chairman Chung Ju-yung appeared at Hyundai Heavy Industries. The “king chairman” personally stepped…

    Busan, Democracy, Economic Miracle, history, Hyundai, Military, Politics, Protest, Samsung, Seoul
  • NO TRAGEDY, ALL GLORY: TWS Shinyu & Youngjae Own the Moment

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Feeds
    NO TRAGEDY, ALL GLORY: TWS Shinyu & Youngjae Own the Moment

    The Frame Before the Flash Before the shutter clicks, before the lights bloom white and the editorial world holds its…

    history, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography, purpose, Seoul, Warning
  • It’s Me is a genius evolution of ILLIT’s magical girl concept.

    Apr 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    They evolved from their Super Real Me concept. Their original debut concept revolved around the imaginary ‘super’ world of dreams,…

    history
  • After a third attempt on his life, Trump could work to make America safer again

    Apr 29, 2026
    in News

    President Donald Trump has now been involved in what appears to be an unprecedented three attempts on his life. It…

    Donald Trump, history
  • From Total attendance of 36K for their first world tour to having 240K attendance for 3 Days show, TWICE has came a long way.

    Apr 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Today Twice completed their 3 days stop at MUFG Japan National Stadium for This is for tour. With expected attendance…

    history, Japan
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Latest Korean News

  • Lost in translation no more: Seoul overhauls subway app for foreign ridersMay 19, 2026
    Seoul’s metropolitan transit agency announced on Tuesday a thorough redesign… Read more: Lost in translation no more: Seoul overhauls subway app for foreign riders
  • Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summitMay 19, 2026
    BEIJING — Russian President Vladimir Putin is traveling to China… Read more: Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summit
  • Korea adds 221,000 wage jobs in Q4; youth employment declinesMay 19, 2026
    Korea added 221,000 wage jobs in the fourth quarter of… Read more: Korea adds 221,000 wage jobs in Q4; youth employment declines
  • Congolese-born TV personality completes Korean naturalization examMay 19, 2026
    Jonathan Yiombi, the Congolese-born entertainer widely known in Korea as… Read more: Congolese-born TV personality completes Korean naturalization exam
  • Ahead of Korea’s dog meat ban, this meat is boomingMay 19, 2026
    As Korea’s ban on dog meat consumption is set to… Read more: Ahead of Korea’s dog meat ban, this meat is booming

Latest Community Feeds

  • 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
  • Galbi at HomeMay 20, 2026
  • Japchae RiceMay 20, 2026
  • Beginner question… but how does one get all the banchan ready to always have some on hand?May 20, 2026
  • Yuna’s Tangerine is seriously so peak likeMay 19, 2026
  • Anyone ever try this?May 19, 2026
  • Kimchi JiggaeMay 19, 2026
  • Black Bean Paste preparation.May 19, 2026
  • what would be a good fandom name for AND2BLE?May 19, 2026
  • Who should co-host AAA this year with princess Jang Wonyoung?May 19, 2026
  • Anything goes ssamMay 19, 2026
  • Investors puzzled over Korean won’s stay above 1,500 despite record current account surplusMay 19, 2026
  • KimbapMay 19, 2026
  • Starbucks HQ stepping inMay 19, 2026
  • Breakfast – Sangchu Geotjeori Bap (or Bibimbap?) with Seasoned Steamed ShrimpMay 19, 2026
  • what is your earliest memory of eating instant ramyun?May 19, 2026
  • Trying to discuss BTS rapline without downplaying Black American hip hopMay 19, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (20,789)
    • Community (14,972)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,614)
  • 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

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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