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Perspectives

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • SHINee Honors Jonghyun and Marks 17th Anniversary with Emotional ‘Poet | Artist’ Music Video and Upcoming Concerts

    May 26, 2025
    in Entertainment, Feeds

    Music Video Credit: SM Entertainment SHINee has once again captured the hearts of fans worldwide with the release of their…

    K-pop, Perspectives, Seoul
  • How do you define your “ult” group or soloist? What characteristics separate an “ult” from other artists you may follow?

    May 20, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    An “ult” is your “ultimate” group or soloist — AKA your favorite/main/top K-pop artist, the one that you prioritize above…

    K-pop, Perspectives
  • thinking about offloading album collection. Have you done so and did you have any regrets?

    May 4, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I moved apartments about six months ago and I noticed I have never unpacked my albums collection. I opened one…

    BTS, LG, Perspectives
  • I feel weirdly uneasy stanning a big 4 group

    Apr 2, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been a kpop fan since 2022 and I guess you could call me a nugu stan, at least, most…

    Perspectives
  • Strong momentum in non-US markets, digital real estate: Principal AM CEO

    Apr 2, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Strong momentum in non-US markets, digital real estate: Principal AM CEO

    Principal Asset Management President and CEO Kamal Bhatia speaks during an interview with The Korea Economic Daily on March 25,…

    Donald Trump, history, Japan, martial law, Perspectives, Seoul, travel
  • BIBI Brings ‘EVE’ to New Zealand: Get Ready for a Night of Genre-Blending Music in Auckland This October 2025!

    Mar 19, 2025
    in Entertainment, Feeds
    BIBI Brings ‘EVE’ to New Zealand: Get Ready for a Night of Genre-Blending Music in Auckland This October 2025!

    Photo Credits: Feel Ghood Music. Information Credit: Live Nation NZ South Korean sensation BIBI is set to captivate audiences in…

    K-pop, Kia, Perspectives, Seoul
  • Rapping skill ranking amongst male groups and female groups~

    Feb 26, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Let’s divide male and female apart. You can give me a clear ranking like 1, 2, 3… or just normal…

    Discussion, K-pop, Perspectives, Question
  • Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling

    Jan 30, 2025
    in Art, History
    Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling

    Introduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate…

    Ancient Korea, family, history, korean fortune, Korean History, Koreans, Perspectives, purpose, Social Media
  • Refresh my perspective – life in Korea

    Jan 30, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Greetings, Firstly, I’d like to apologise that this post may be lacking in focus since it relates to a few…

    Curiosity, fail, K-drama, K-pop, Koreans, LG, Parents, Perspectives, Question, Samsung, Samyang, Seoul, study, Teenager, travel
  • The Journey of Korean Immigrants: A History & Trends Outside the United States

    Jan 14, 2025
    in History
    The Journey of Korean Immigrants: A History & Trends Outside the United States

    Introduction to Korean Immigration Korean immigration has a rich and complex history that dates back to the late 19th century.…

    automotive, Bibimbap, Demographics, Discrimination, family, Gen Z, germany, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, K-pop, Kimchi, Korean Cuisine, Korean Food, korean immigrants, Korean War, Koreans, LG, Millennials, Perspectives, Seoul, Social Media, study, Tokyo, World War
  • Question about South Korean political thinking!

    Dec 22, 2024
    in Community

    Hi. I’m a foreigner, obviously, and my korean isn’t good enough to have a conversation about this topic whether broadly…

    Koreans, North Korea, Perspectives, Question
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular groups?

    Dec 11, 2024
    in Community

    What the title says basically. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the popular groups in kpop…

    BTS, Perspectives
  • For those who fell out of love with their ult groups, why?

    Dec 5, 2024
    in Community

    As the title suggests, for those who stopped stanning their ult groups, what happened? Was it a specific event or…

    Perspectives
  • The Evolution of Korean Democracy: A Journey Through Suppression and Resistance

    Dec 3, 2024
    in History
    The Evolution of Korean Democracy: A Journey Through Suppression and Resistance

    Ancient Foundations of Korean Governance The early governance systems of Korea can be traced back to ancient states such as…

    Baekje, Democracy, Goguryeo, Gojoseon, Goryeo, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, Justice, korean democracy, Korean History, Korean Language, Korean War, Koreans, martial law, Military, North Korea, Peace, Perspectives, Protest, Silla, Three Kingdom
  • K-pop Sensation SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Graces Magazine Covers, Captivating Fans Worldwide

    Dec 2, 2024
    in Entertainment
    K-pop Sensation SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Graces Magazine Covers, Captivating Fans Worldwide

    Images in this article are owned by Pledis Entertainment, Rolling Stone Japan and Esquire Korea. SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, a multifaceted talent…

    Choi Young, Discussion, Japan, K-pop, K-pop Fans, K-pop industry, Perspectives, Social Media
  • Just because a piece of music or art brought comfort to you on a personal level doesn’t mean it has to be universally acclaimed.

    Nov 14, 2024
    in Community

    This topic has been on my mind for quite a long time. Recently with the Halsey album reviews I was…

    Perspectives
  • On the current landscape of digital content, and how it’s better than ever.

    Nov 13, 2024
    in Community

    I recently went through a couple of posts on how much some fans miss the old state of Korean variety…

    BTS, Demographics, history, K-pop, K-pop industry, LG, Perspectives, Social Media
  • SFH, where foreign firms build networks in Korea

    Nov 13, 2024
    in News
    SFH, where foreign firms build networks in Korea

    It can be daunting to do business in a new city in a distant country. But foreign companies seeking to…

    Advice, cold war, Perspectives, Seoul
  • after watch the Christian rally against the anti-discrimination law in Korea; Thoughts about Korean protestant Christian, due to my experience (with my painting)

    Nov 5, 2024
    in Community
    after watch the Christian rally against the anti-discrimination law in Korea; Thoughts about Korean protestant Christian, due to my experience (with my painting)

    My parents are devout Protestants. They met at church, got married, and had me. So, my name is not one…

    Discrimination, history, Justice, korean names, Korean War, Koreans, Parents, Peace, Perspectives, Protest, Question, Sex, study
  • PEN Ventures: A skilled startup accelerator for entrepreneurs going global

    Oct 30, 2024
    in News
    PEN Ventures: A skilled startup accelerator for entrepreneurs going global

    PEN Ventures founder and CEO Song Myoungsoo (right, at podium) gives a welcoming speech at the PEN Ventures CIS event…

    Discussion, Global Expansion, Honda, KT, Perspectives, Seoul
  • Touched (터치드): The Co-Ed Rock Sensation Redefining K-Pop

    Oct 27, 2024
    in Entertainment
    Touched (터치드): The Co-Ed Rock Sensation Redefining K-Pop

    In a groundbreaking move that’s set to shake up the K-pop landscape, the co-ed rock band Touched (터치드) has burst…

    BTS, history, K-pop, K-pop Fans, K-pop industry, Perspectives, Seoul
  • MiRi’s Heartfelt Debut: ‘You Were My First Love’ Captivates K-Pop Fans

    Oct 20, 2024
    in Entertainment
    MiRi’s Heartfelt Debut: ‘You Were My First Love’ Captivates K-Pop Fans

    Excitement is building in the K-pop world as a new star prepares to make her mark. MiRi, the latest addition…

    Curiosity, Japan, K-pop, K-pop Fans, K-pop industry, Korean Art, LG, Perspectives, Social Media
  • How Seoul dwellers view the rest of Korea

    Oct 13, 2024
    in Community, Feeds
    How Seoul dwellers view the rest of Korea

    submitted by /u/Jamjam_1107 [link] [comments]

    Perspectives, Seoul
  • Jeong Cheol

    Sep 9, 2024
    in History, People
    Jeong Cheol

    Introduction to Jeong Cheol Jeong Cheol, a prominent figure in Korean history, emerged during the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from…

    Affinity, Discussion, family, history, Joseon, Justice, Korean History, Perspectives, purpose, study
  • Women in 20s become mainstream Korean baseball audience

    Jul 12, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Women in 20s become mainstream Korean baseball audience

    LG Twins’ fans are cheering for the pro baseball team in Jamsil Baseball Stadium on July 9, 2024 South Korea…

    Japan, K-pop Fans, LG, Lotte, Perspectives
  • Korean IT firms prefer engineers with business capabilities

    Jun 17, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    Korean IT firms prefer engineers with business capabilities

    Female software engineer writing code on desktop computer with multiple screens setup in coworking office space (Courtesy of Getty Images…

    Korea Jobs, Korean Comapny, Korean Technology, KT, Perspectives, Seoul, Shopping
  • A Historical Diplomacy: Korea’s Relationship with Global Superpowers

    Dec 9, 2020
    in History
    A Historical Diplomacy: Korea’s Relationship with Global Superpowers

    Introduction: The Geopolitical Significance of Korea Korea’s geographical location in East Asia has rendered it a pivotal player in the…

    Ancient Korea, automotive, Baekje, China Relation, cold war, Democracy, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Imjin War, Japan, Japan Relation, japanese invasion, Joseon, K-pop, Korean Art, Korean Comapny, Korean History, Korean Military, Korean Technology, Korean War, Koreans, Military, North Korea, Peace, Perspectives, Politics, Silla, Superpower Relation, Three Kingdom, travel, USA Relation, World War
  • Kim Busik

    Jul 21, 2020
    in History, People
    Kim Busik

    Introduction to Kim Busik Kim Busik, a prominent figure in Korean history, was born in 1075 during the Goryeo Dynasty.…

    Baekje, Fame, Goguryeo, Goryeo, Historical Figure, history, Japan, Kim Busik, Korean History, Koreans, Peace, Perspectives, Politics, Silla, study, Three Kingdom
  • Won Hyo

    Oct 14, 2018
    in History, People
    Won Hyo

    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the…

    Baekje, Curiosity, Discussion, family, Goguryeo, Historical Figure, history, Korean Art, Korean History, Koreans, Parents, Peace, Perspectives, purpose, Question, Silla, Stress, study, Three Kingdom, travel, Unification of Korea, Won Hyo
  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History

    Oct 12, 2017
    in History
    Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History

    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.…

    Ancient Korea, Anicent Korea, family, Gojoseon, history, Joseon, Korean History, Korean Language, Korean Technology, Koreans, Perspectives, Seoul, study, Three Kingdom

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Cheese CJ Cheiljedang Controversy Coupang Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Genesis germany Global Expansion history Hyundai Japan Jeju Jjigae Justice K-pop K-pop Fans K-pop industry Kakao Kia Kimchi Korea Development Korean Comapny Korean Food Korean History Korean Military Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology Korea Zinc KT LG LG Electronics LG Energy LG Energy Solution Lotte martial law Medical Military Naver North Korea Nvidia Parents Peace 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

  • SpaceX’s Starlink, Eutelsat’s OneWeb land in Korea for LEO satellite servicesMay 30, 2025
    An image of Hanwha Systems’ low-earth-orbit satellite communication system using… Read more: SpaceX’s Starlink, Eutelsat’s OneWeb land in Korea for LEO satellite services
  • NPS logs 0.87% return from investment in first quarterMay 30, 2025
    NPS building  The National Pension Service (NPS), South Korea’s state-run… Read more: NPS logs 0.87% return from investment in first quarter
  • Korea Post to commit $150 mn to mid-cap infrastructure fundsMay 30, 2025
    Korea Post’s logo Korea Post will commit $150 million to… Read more: Korea Post to commit $150 mn to mid-cap infrastructure funds
  • South Korea’s startup M&A winter deepens capital bottleneck  May 30, 2025
    (Couresty of Getty Images)  South Korea’s startup M&A winter has… Read more: South Korea’s startup M&A winter deepens capital bottleneck  
  • Baby Shark video creator files for IPO on KosdaqMay 30, 2025
    Characters from The Baby Shark family joined the 2024 White… Read more: Baby Shark video creator files for IPO on Kosdaq

Latest Community Feeds

  • iCloud payment declined NHMay 30, 2025
  • What’s THE song of your favorite groups?May 30, 2025
  • If there was one app for K-pop fans, what would you want it to include?May 30, 2025
  • Rewarding myself after recovering from a stomach virusMay 30, 2025
  • Karina fans angry at Lee Jun-seok for sharing photo of Karina hinting her support for PPP: “secondary victimization”May 30, 2025
  • Does “I Feel Good” (BOYNEXTDOOR) give anyone else Block B vibes?May 30, 2025
  • Fried enoki with yangnyeom sauceMay 30, 2025
  • banchan day (I’m exhausted)May 30, 2025
  • HYBE Raided for Insider Trading – The News Has Hit TMZ So I think it’s SeriousMay 30, 2025
  • Who are they?May 29, 2025
  • Best way to learn Korean Effectively.May 29, 2025
  • pannchoa represents the worst of kpop community.May 29, 2025
  • Could you guys help my younger sister out pleaseMay 29, 2025
  • Getting rid of my 2 concert tickets to see Blackpink in Chicago on July 18May 29, 2025
  • Are there more Korean short channels like this?May 29, 2025
  • Gochujang spotted at Costco!May 29, 2025
  • Korean residents: Anyone going to 싸이흠뻑쇼/Summerswag this year? (I need your help getting tickets)May 29, 2025
  • How to convert a file to an HWP?May 29, 2025
  • South Korean Navy’s P-3 Orion(maritime patrol aircraft) crashed in Pohang, killing 4 people.May 29, 2025
  • More South Korean young adults economically ‘inactive’, especially women and college gradsMay 29, 2025

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (8,944)
    • Community (5,553)
    • Entertainment (528)
    • News (2,862)
  • 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

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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