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Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Japan

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Are any native or Buddhist gods/deities still worshipped in Korea?

    Jan 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m by no means an expert in East Asian religion but from what I could find people (at least some)…

    Japan
  • Why are there so many Korean Male – Japanese Female couples, but rarely Japanese Male with Korean Female?

    Jan 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I noticed this a lot. Especially on Youtube submitted by /u/ParsleyExpensive5821 [link] [comments]

    Japan
  • BMW retains throne in South Korea’s imported car market

    Jan 6, 2025
    in News
    BMW retains throne in South Korea’s imported car market

    The BMW 5 Series sedans German luxury carmaker BMW remained the top imported car brand in South Korea for the…

    Japan
  • Mirae Asset invests $200 mn in LS Group affiliate in US

    Jan 6, 2025
    in News
    Mirae Asset invests $200 mn in LS Group affiliate in US

    South Korea’s Mirae Asset Global Investments said on Sunday it invested $200 million in Essex Solutions, a US magnet wire…

    Japan, Sex
  • KL & Partners buys cosmetics brand Manyo Factory for $130 mn

    Jan 6, 2025
    in News
    KL & Partners buys cosmetics brand Manyo Factory for $130 mn

    Show hosts of Korean home shopping channel GS Shop are selling Manyo Factory cosmetics KL & Partners, a South Korean…

    Japan, Shopping
  • I want to know what is your top 5 of BTS songs

    Jan 5, 2025
    in Community

    There is so much drama going on that I want to do a light-hearted post like this. BTS discography is…

    BTS, Japan
  • Korean cosmetics beat Chanel, Lancôme to rank top in US, Japan

    Jan 5, 2025
    in News
    Korean cosmetics beat Chanel, Lancôme to rank top in US, Japan

    Korean cosmetics counter (Courtesy of Yonhap) South Korea’s cosmetics products, collectively known as K-beauty, have gained global recognition, overtaking French…

    Japan, Joseon, K-pop, LG
  • Where to buy actual matcha in Seoul?

    Jan 5, 2025
    in Community

    I want to buy actual matcha powder, not 말차라떼 or 녹차가루 but that’s all I seem to find on coupang,…

    Coupang, Japan, Seoul
  • SK Energy, Korea’s first refiner to export sustainable aviation fuel to Europe

    Jan 5, 2025
    in News
    SK Energy, Korea’s first refiner to export sustainable aviation fuel to Europe

    SK Energy officials holding a banner celebrating the refiner’s first SAF export to Europe pose for a photo at a…

    Japan
  • South Korea expands foreign banks’ access to FX market

    Jan 3, 2025
    in News
    South Korea expands foreign banks’ access to FX market

    The Korean won pares gains to close domestic trade at 1,468.4 to the dollar on Jan. 3 (Courtesy of News1)…

    germany, Japan
  • S.Korea’s webtoon industry sales surpasses $1.36 bn

    Jan 3, 2025
    in News
    S.Korea’s webtoon industry sales surpasses $1.36 bn

    South Korea’s webtoon market size surpassed 2 trillion won ($1.36 billion) for the first time.  The South Korean Ministry of…

    Japan, Survey, Tourism
  • Russia developed plans for attacks on Japan and South Korea

    Jan 2, 2025
    in Community
    Russia developed plans for attacks on Japan and South Korea

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

    Japan
  • S.Korea’s exports of snack exceed $700 mn mark in 2024

    Jan 2, 2025
    in News
    S.Korea’s exports of snack exceed $700 mn mark in 2024

    South Korea’s confectionery exports from January to November last year increased 16.5% year over year surpassing $700 million for the…

    Japan, K-pop, Lotte
  • Korea’s 2024 exports hit all-time high, driven by chips, shipments to China

    Jan 2, 2025
    in News
    Korea’s 2024 exports hit all-time high, driven by chips, shipments to China

    Korea saw its exports reach a record high in 2024 South Korea’s exports, the country’s main growth driver, reached an…

    Donald Trump, driver, fail, Japan, martial law, Nvidia, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix
  • Lee Junho of 2PM’s The Red Sleeve is finally coming to Netflix in 2025!!! What are your thoughts, anyone else excited about this?

    Dec 31, 2024
    in Community

    The Red Sleeve is supposed to be put on Netflix in January 2025. I am so excited. I haven’t been…

    Japan
  • Russia Trained Officers for Potential War With Japan and South Korea, Leaked Documents Reveal

    Dec 31, 2024
    in Community
    Russia Trained Officers for Potential War With Japan and South Korea, Leaked Documents Reveal

    submitted by /u/UNITED24Media [link] [comments]

    Japan
  • K-food, fashion, beauty to up ante on global push in 2025

    Dec 31, 2024
    in News
    K-food, fashion, beauty to up ante on global push in 2025

    Bibigo store  South Korean food, beauty and fashion companies, which have enjoyed robust demand for their products in overseas markets…

    Busan, CJ Cheiljedang, Donald Trump, Global Expansion, Japan, Korean Food, Samyang, Seoul, Tokyo
  • China’s Miniso re-enters S.Korea

    Dec 31, 2024
    in News
    China’s Miniso re-enters S.Korea

    Miniso store in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul (Courtesy of Miniso) Miniso, a household goods store known as “the Chinese version of Daiso”,…

    Japan, Seoul
  • Imagoworks raises $15.6 mn in Series C funding

    Dec 31, 2024
    in News
    Imagoworks raises $15.6 mn in Series C funding

    Imagoworks, South Korea’s AI-based digital dental service startup, said on Tuesday it raised 23 billion won ($15.6 million) in Series…

    Japan, Medical
  • Yuhan’s lung cancer drug gets OK in Europe

    Dec 31, 2024
    in News
    Yuhan’s lung cancer drug gets OK in Europe

    Leclaza (ingredient: lazertinib), a new lung cancer treatment developed by South Korea’s Yuhan Corp. secured approval from the European Commission…

    Japan
  • Samsung joins humanoid robot race with higher stake in Rainbow Robotics

    Dec 31, 2024
    in News
    Samsung joins humanoid robot race with higher stake in Rainbow Robotics

    Rainbow Robotics’ bipedal humanoid robot Hubo Samsung Electronics Co. has become the largest shareholder of Rainbow Robotics Co., a South…

    automotive, driver, Hyundai, Japan, Samsung, Samsung Electronics
  • Why are Japanese idols rarely the lead / main vocalists?

    Dec 29, 2024
    in Community

    Twice :- Neither Mina, Sana, nor Momo are lead/main vocalists IVE :- Rei not a lead/main vocalist. Baby Monster :-…

    Japan, K-pop
  • South Korea jumps to world’s No. 6 exporter; 2025 outlook dims

    Dec 29, 2024
    in News
    South Korea jumps to world’s No. 6 exporter; 2025 outlook dims

    Busan port  South Korea has significantly narrowed the gap in export value with Japan to a record low of $20.2…

    Busan, Donald Trump, history, Japan, Korean Semiconductor, martial law, Seoul
  • Catchtable to offer restaurant reservation service in Japan

    Dec 27, 2024
    in News
    Catchtable to offer restaurant reservation service in Japan

    Wad Corp., the developer and operator of South Korea’s most popular restaurant reservation app Catchtable, launched the beta service for…

    Japan
  • Lotte Chemical’s JV to boost specialty chemical output

    Dec 27, 2024
    in News
    Lotte Chemical’s JV to boost specialty chemical output

    Lotte Chemical’s petrochemical complex in Yeosu National Industrial Complex, South Jeolla Province Lotte Chemical Corp.’s joint venture with Japan’s Tokuyama…

    Japan, Lotte
  • Immigration. Exit/Entry Permit.

    Dec 26, 2024
    in Community

    Hey everyone, I used to be officially living in South Korea before for a few years and obtain “International Korean…

    Japan
  • SPC Samlip to export ggultteok in H1 2025

    Dec 26, 2024
    in News
    SPC Samlip to export ggultteok in H1 2025

    SPC Samlip’s One Bite Ggultteok SPC Samlip Corp., a subsidiary of South Korea’s food and bakery giant SPC Group, said…

    Japan, Suga
  • (Help me find my lost dog) last seen: yeontral park 22 Dec 24

    Dec 25, 2024
    in Community
    (Help me find my lost dog) last seen: yeontral park 22 Dec 24

    Hi, I am looking for my dog, Ppori (mixed-Dachshund, 3yo, female, 6kg) She ran away from my friend’s home while…

    Japan, Kakao, KT
  • Merry Christmas: Localized Portrayals of Jesus Christ in China, Japan, Korea, and Europe

    Dec 24, 2024
    in Community
    Merry Christmas: Localized Portrayals of Jesus Christ in China, Japan, Korea, and Europe

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

    Japan
  • South Korea becomes super-aged society faster than expected

    Dec 24, 2024
    in News
    South Korea becomes super-aged society faster than expected

    Elderly people inside the Tapgol Park in central Seoul One in five South Koreans is now 65 years old or…

    birthrate, Hyundai, Japan, Koreans, LG, Samsung, Seoul, Subway, super-aged society
  • My Cozy Christmas Eve Dinner Menu – A Fusion of Flavors!

    Dec 24, 2024
    in Community
    My Cozy Christmas Eve Dinner Menu – A Fusion of Flavors!

    Hey r/Cooking and r/Food! For this Christmas Eve, my wife and I decided to create a cozy and delicious dinner…

    Cheese, Japan, Kimchi
  • Do you guys consider XG as a K-pop group?

    Dec 23, 2024
    in Community

    XG is at an interesting case when discussing the boundaries of K-pop. Their characteristics blur traditional definitions which makes their…

    Japan, K-pop, Korean Language
  • Need help finding a bakery

    Dec 23, 2024
    in Community

    I am currently visiting Seoul and found a bakery inside a station that sold bread at 1000 won per piece.…

    Japan, Seoul
  • Talos dives deeper into brain aneurysm icebergs

    Dec 23, 2024
    in News
    Talos dives deeper into brain aneurysm icebergs

    ANRISK mockup image (Courtesy of Talos)  One neurosurgeon is expected to perform surgery on an average of about 10,000 patients…

    germany, Global Expansion, Japan, LG, Medical, study
  • BOYNEXTDOOR and their consistent but remarkable growth in popularity

    Dec 21, 2024
    in Community

    This will be a pretty long post 😇… BOYNEXTDOOR debuted on May 30th, 2023, as the first group under KOZ,…

    Discussion, Gen Z, Japan, KT, Question, Social Media
  • I remember going to a museum with brutal wax figures in early 90’s. What museum did I go to?

    Dec 19, 2024
    in Community

    As a child, I remember going to this museum that depicted either the Japanese occupation or the draconian anti-communist (or…

    history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Korean War
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Latest Korean News

  • Samsung, SK face new pressure to expand investment in USJuly 10, 2026
    Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are facing renewed pressure to… Read more: Samsung, SK face new pressure to expand investment in US
  • Korea Times webinar offers foreign students strategies for landing internshipsJuly 10, 2026
    The Korea Times held an online seminar Thursday for international… Read more: Korea Times webinar offers foreign students strategies for landing internships
  • Incheon offers subsidies to foreign, domestic investors to spur job growthJuly 10, 2026
    Facing a cooling global economy and shifting supply chains, the… Read more: Incheon offers subsidies to foreign, domestic investors to spur job growth
  • Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband says he’ll respect DJ Koo’s inheritance share as estate process moves forwardJuly 10, 2026
    The legal process for handling the estate of late Taiwanese… Read more: Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband says he’ll respect DJ Koo’s inheritance share as estate process moves forward
  • Naver donates $300,000 for Venezuela earthquake reliefJuly 10, 2026
    As Venezuela recovers from a devastating earthquake, Naver is stepping… Read more: Naver donates $300,000 for Venezuela earthquake relief

Latest Community Feeds

  • Mystery ‘Kim Ji-mee’ graffiti spotted at nearly 500 sites across SeoulJuly 11, 2026
  • AI images of S.Korea’s Son hitting coach after World Cup exit mislead onlineJuly 11, 2026
  • [MORNING CALM TALES] ‘Ppi-ppi’: Korea’s brief pager fad in the ’90sJuly 11, 2026
  • why do you think BLACKPINK are avoiding OT4 appearance?July 11, 2026
  • im thankful for kpop documentaries/documentary because we can see the behind the scenes (bts)July 11, 2026
  • Nigerian Stocks Vault Past Korea’s Kospi to Claim World’s Top ReturnsJuly 11, 2026
  • Paichai baseball team asks court to lift 6-month ban over ‘Starbucks’ chantsJuly 11, 2026
  • Hyundai Motor, Kia, GM Korea on verge of strike amid faltering wage talksJuly 11, 2026
  • It’s exciting thinking about how KiiiKiii’s comeback in August can solidify them as a top group in the 5th generation domesticallyJuly 11, 2026
  • How can fans come to terms when a member leaves a group, especially if it was the member’s own choice?July 11, 2026
  • Do the different styles of korean paper lantern have their own names?July 10, 2026
  • Scrolling text apps?July 10, 2026
  • What are the proportions to make this?July 10, 2026
  • pile of tteokboki and dongchimiJuly 10, 2026
  • Looking for Iron Age’s red spicy dipping sauce recipeJuly 10, 2026
  • Trump administration presses Samsung and SK hynix to build U.S. memory chip plantsJuly 10, 2026
  • Mandu and Bibim NaengmyeonJuly 10, 2026
  • Does I.O.I have a shot at winning a major award/daesang by the end of 2026?July 10, 2026
  • Yoo Hwe Seung (N.Flying) deserves more recognition for his vocalsJuly 10, 2026
  • Relationship between Korea and JapanJuly 10, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (23,268)
    • Community (17,129)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,875)
  • 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