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

KT

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Have you ever “unintentionally” (for lack of a better word) got into a group/idol?

    Apr 17, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been casually listening to Xikers for a while and decided to stan them now. I discovered them, however, because…

    KT
  • LG Energy Solution clinches multi-billion-dollar ESS deals in Japan, Europe

    Apr 15, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    LG Energy Solution clinches multi-billion-dollar ESS deals in Japan, Europe

    A bird’s-eye view of LG Energy Solution’s  standalone battery plant in Arizona LG Energy Solution Ltd. has secured a string…

    Discussion, Japan, KT, LG, LG Energy, LG Energy Solution, purpose, Samsung, Seoul
  • KT rolls out large language model tailored for Thai

    Apr 15, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    KT rolls out large language model tailored for Thai

    KT employees are testing the Thai-specific LLM (Courtesy of KT) South Korean telecom service provider KT Corp. has built a…

    history, Korean Language, KT, Politics
  • Considering how long idols train for – why are their abilities still average?!

    Apr 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Just looking at the flat Coachella performances and other live shows and I’m like… These idols have trained rigorously for…

    KT, Question
  • Jennie Coachella Review Live: just my thoughts on jennies performance

    Apr 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Opening: She kicked things off with Filter (I think?)—it was… fine. Not bad, just not super attention-grabbing either. The outfit…

    KT, Seoul, Sex
  • Who’s a group/idol you learned so much about in so little time, people would think you were a fan of them longer than you actually have been?

    Apr 13, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    A few years ago, maybe 2022-ish or whatever, I was watching a TikTok of one of my favorite K-pop accounts.…

    K-pop, KT, Question
  • why do le sserafim’s bsides make more noise than their title tracks

    Apr 13, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    i’m just making an observation although i’m not even sure if i’m right about this. but don’t u guys find…

    KT, Social Media
  • Kpop stans needs to stop putting coachella on high pedestal

    Apr 12, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I just need to let this out because some of the people in my fandom and most kpop stans are…

    KT
  • Weekly Social Media Thread

    Apr 12, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Did you see something on TikTok or Insta that made you go, “Hmmm?” Do you want to discuss some issue…

    KT, Social Media
  • Glenwood PE to increase blind fund to $1 bn due to pension funds’ interest

    Apr 11, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Glenwood PE to increase blind fund to $1 bn due to pension funds’ interest

    Glenwood Private Equity Co-founder & CEO Lee Sangho (File photo) South Korea’s Glenwood Private Equity Co. is set to increase…

    KT, request, Seoul
  • SK Chairman in Taiwan to deepen ties with TSMC

    Apr 10, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    SK Chairman in Taiwan to deepen ties with TSMC

    SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won  Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, the parent of SK Hynix Inc., is in Taiwan…

    Donald Trump, KT, Nvidia, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix
  • Weekly Social Media Thread

    Apr 5, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Did you see something on TikTok or Insta that made you go, “Hmmm?” Do you want to discuss some issue…

    KT, Social Media
  • Are there any editors here? I need to ask some question especially for tiktok editors

    Apr 4, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    So I would like to start an account for editing kpop & kdrama since I’ve been feeling burn out &…

    Advice, KT, Question
  • The Reason why I think sometime ‘Criticism’ is clearly hate

    Apr 4, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I randomly saw Babymonster full cam- https://youtu.be/S9JKTaTRQ1w?si=7NYVZJEKN-gJrITU and I don’t know why people call out them for not being in…

    Controversy, Japan, Justice, KT, Seoul
  • Asia Property to buy WeWork building in Seoul

    Apr 4, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Asia Property to buy WeWork building in Seoul

    WeWork Building (center) on Teheran-ro, Gangnam district, Seoul  Seoul-based real estate investment firm Asia Property has been picked as the…

    Hyundai, KT, Seoul
  • A song that you heard that didn’t click at first, only to realize later that it’s actually brilliant

    Apr 3, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Have you ever heard a song that didn’t click at first, only to realize later that it’s actually brilliant but…

    K-pop, KT
  • Info Drop Time! Let’s get to know some of your favorite groups!

    Apr 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    One thing I’ve always loved about the kpop community is how much we love introducing people to our favorite groups!…

    fail, KT
  • K-pop exports boom as lifting of Chinese ban on K-wave looms large

    Mar 31, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    K-pop exports boom as lifting of Chinese ban on K-wave looms large

    BTS concert in Busan, South Korea in October 2022 (Courtesy of Yonhap) Exports of Korean popular music, or K-pop albums…

    BTS, Busan, Japan, K-pop, KT, Military, Scandal, Seoul, Sex
  • It was a case of tampering. It was not a case of abuse.

    Mar 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Keena said in an interview that Ahn sung il led them to this lawsuit and that Ahn sung il was…

    KT, Naver
  • Weekly Social Media Thread

    Mar 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Did you see something on TikTok or Insta that made you go, “Hmmm?” Do you want to discuss some issue…

    KT, Social Media
  • My market started selling shaved beef ribeye 🥹💃

    Mar 28, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    My market started selling shaved beef ribeye 🥹💃

    Beef bulgogi recipe from tiktok creator @joexfitness submitted by /u/froDoReMi [link] [comments]

    KT, LG
  • I never realized how much content MCA (Mcountdown) MCs do.

    Mar 26, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Honestly, this has been on my mind for a while, but I never knew the best place to ask/talk about…

    KT
  • Samsung Heavy makes breakthrough in FLNG liquefaction technology

    Mar 26, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Samsung Heavy makes breakthrough in FLNG liquefaction technology

    Samsung Heavy builds the topside of an FLNG facility at its shipyard in Geoje, Korea Samsung Heavy Industries Co., a…

    history, Hyundai, KT, Samsung, Seoul
  • Global assets drive Korean teachers’ fund to 11.1% return in 2024

    Mar 26, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Global assets drive Korean teachers’ fund to 11.1% return in 2024

    The KTCU launched an infrastructure-dedicated investment division in 2024 The Korean Teachers’ Credit Union (KTCU) achieved a 11.1% return on…

    family, KT
  • LG Energy bags 1-GWh ESS battery deal from Poland’s PGE

    Mar 26, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    LG Energy bags 1-GWh ESS battery deal from Poland’s PGE

    (Courtesy of LG Energy Solution)  LG Energy Solution Ltd. will supply 1 gigawatt-hour of energy storage system (ESS) batteries to…

    KT, LG, LG Energy, LG Energy Solution
  • Kpop promotions usually give off a certain “old people in corporate” vibe.

    Mar 25, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I don’t know how to better title this LMAO but please don’t fight me too much. Also note, I am…

    KT
  • Daisy is getting backlash because she is dragging other idols instead of telling her own story

    Mar 24, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Why is Daisy getting backlash? She is telling the same old stories that you can find on any random kpop…

    KT
  • Weekly Social Media Thread

    Mar 22, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Did you see something on TikTok or Insta that made you go, “Hmmm?” Do you want to discuss some issue…

    KT, Social Media
  • SK On to supply 100 GWh of EV batteries to Nissan

    Mar 20, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    SK On to supply 100 GWh of EV batteries to Nissan

    (Courtesy of Nissan) SK On Co. has landed a deal to supply nearly 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electric vehicle…

    Honda, Hyundai, Japan, KT, LG, LG Energy, LG Energy Solution, Seoul
  • NMIXX’s ‘KNOW ABOUT ME’ Music Video Release and Upcoming Fan Events

    Mar 17, 2025
    in Entertainment, Feeds
    NMIXX’s ‘KNOW ABOUT ME’ Music Video Release and Upcoming Fan Events

    Photo Credits: NMIXX, JYP Entertainment, Marie Claire South Korean girl group NMIXX has officially released the music video for their…

    K-pop, KT, Tokyo
  • Weekly Social Media Thread

    Mar 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Did you see something on TikTok or Insta that made you go, “Hmmm?” Do you want to discuss some issue…

    KT, Social Media
  • ‘If that song is so big, why have I never heard of it?’ – The dumbest argument known to mankind.

    Mar 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I see this argument thrown around way too often, and I need to address how unbelievably flawed it is. The…

    KT, LG, Shopping
  • 다른나라도 그 나라 커뮤니티를 따로 번역해서 외국인들이 소비하는 사이트가 많나요?

    Mar 13, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    외국인들 우리나라 커뮤니티들 번역해서 사이트 만드는걸 레딧하면서 알게 됬는데 중국 웨이보는 거의 24시간 퍼가는거 같고 일본은 daebaktokyo, pannchoa, allkpop같은 영어권…

    KT, Tokyo
  • What jokes/memes have “ruined” an idol for you?

    Mar 12, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m not talking ruined literally, but have there been any memes/jokes about an idol that you think of whenever you…

    KT
  • Naver’s Webtoon hints at ad business expansion in 2025

    Mar 10, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Naver’s Webtoon hints at ad business expansion in 2025

    Crowds gather around WEBTOON’s booth at Amazing Festival, a cultural content festival in Paris, France, in 2023 (Courtesy of Webtoon…

    Advertisement, Gen Z, Japan, KT, Naver
  • LE SSERAFIM new title track is 2:23 long…the whole 5 song EP is 12 minutes long.

    Mar 10, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Track 1 – 2:16 Track 2 (Title, HOT) – 2:23 Track 3 – 2:17 Track 4 – 3:17 Track 5…

    KT
←Previous Page Next Page→

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Celebrity Cheese Controversy Coupang Crime Curiosity Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Gen Z 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 Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology KT LG LG Electronics LG Energy LG Energy Solution Lotte martial law Medical Military Naver North Korea Nvidia Parents Peace Photography 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

  • Immigration detainees lack access to key forms, rights information: watchdogAugust 31, 2026
    The state human rights watchdog has called for stronger procedural… Read more: Immigration detainees lack access to key forms, rights information: watchdog
  • Rescue efforts intensify after Nepal-Tibet flooding as deaths climb past 900August 31, 2026
    KATHMANDU, Nepal — Rescuers were trying to find trapped workers… Read more: Rescue efforts intensify after Nepal-Tibet flooding as deaths climb past 900
  • Musinsa enters Malaysia, expands partnership with Indonesia’s MAPAugust 31, 2026
    Musinsa, a Korean fashion and beauty platform operator, has signed… Read more: Musinsa enters Malaysia, expands partnership with Indonesia’s MAP
  • Can humans really fall in love with AI? Korean dating show looks for answersAugust 31, 2026
    Artificial intelligence (AI) has become deeply embedded in everyday life,… Read more: Can humans really fall in love with AI? Korean dating show looks for answers
  • SK Telecom turns everyday photos into searchable AI recordsAugust 31, 2026
    Photos taken in passing can become difficult to find when… Read more: SK Telecom turns everyday photos into searchable AI records

Latest Community Feeds

  • LG made a real 5-member girl group to sell a washer dryer. Each member is a product feature. They disband in a month.September 1, 2026
  • I would sob if I was the maknae of a groupSeptember 1, 2026
  • K-pop idols and a lack of stamina trainingSeptember 1, 2026
  • What are the cons of putting Western global girl groups through the K-pop system?September 1, 2026
  • A South Korean court sentenced the leader of the secretive and powerful Unification Church on Monday to two years in prison on charges of bribing officials, including the then president’s wife.August 31, 2026
  • I feel insecure after looking at other idol’s achievementsAugust 31, 2026
  • A complaint about missing content of older groupsAugust 31, 2026
  • HyoRiSoo hijaked their way into a serious debut that SM would otherwise never give them.August 31, 2026
  • Do you guys think that there is a possibility that other girl groups could sell out a stadium in Korea?August 31, 2026
  • HYBE chairman to be referred to prosecution over alleged deception of shareholders: police – The Korea TimesAugust 31, 2026
  • Wagyu Pot RiceAugust 31, 2026
  • I bought mustard greens.August 31, 2026
  • random piece of ATEEZ lore/fact that you know?August 31, 2026
  • Are Kpop acts still able to have a decent spotify global chart run?August 31, 2026
  • Does anyone else have a Kpop MV that’s basically your Cocomelon?August 31, 2026
  • Who do you think is a good American interviewer for K-pop idols?August 31, 2026
  • The staytiny awakening: why does this happen?August 31, 2026
  • South Korea uncovers scheme to supply more than 1,000 cars to Russia and BelarusAugust 31, 2026
  • Palantir Technologies at University Job Fair?August 31, 2026
  • I felt that non-fans were taking advantage of Blinks’ (Blackpink’s fanbase) disappointment towards Blackpink in order to hate on the group during their 10th anniversary.August 31, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (25,314)
    • Community (18,837)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,136)
  • 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