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

Question

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • When is it the time to purchase a new photocard binder?

    Feb 24, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    i’ve been collecting photo cards for just over a year and a bit now and I’m at that point where…

    Question
  • Question

    Feb 24, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello, I have a question – what is the general public stance on NewJeans vs HYBE? Are there more people…

    Question
  • Microsoft’s quantum computing bet sparks controversy, again

    Feb 24, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Microsoft’s quantum computing bet sparks controversy, again

    Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip (Courtesy of MS) In 2021, Microsoft Corp. faced a significant scientific embarrassment when a landmark paper…

    BTS, Controversy, fail, KT, Putin, Question, Seoul
  • Purchasing from websites to ship to a local korean address

    Feb 24, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello! I’ve searched about my question, but I haven’t really found any helpful answers. My question is, is it possible…

    Question
  • living and studying in South Korea as a gender non conforming/masculine woman

    Feb 22, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Sorry if this is a wrong subreddit for that question but I’m currently thinking about getting an education in south…

    Question, study
  • i never have any good questions to ask idols who do AMAs 😭 anyone else?

    Feb 22, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    i LOVEEE seeing idols come onto kpop subs and do AMAs, it’s literally so fun and so cool, but i…

    Question
  • Questions about F-5-2

    Feb 21, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve spoken with 1345 and haven’t really gotten consistent answers. My wife and I have a combined 2023 income that…

    Question
  • Question for NCTzens (or casual listeners, doesn’t really matter)

    Feb 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I wanted to try to get into NCT but I’m not sure since that awful thing happened with he who…

    Question
  • [Exclusive] Being Taken Prisoner is Treason in North, I Want to go the South” Interview with North Korean Soldiers Captured in Battlefield

    Feb 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    This media outlet has recently met the two North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia and taken prisoner live by the…

    family, Korean Military, KT, Military, North Korea, Parents, Pyongyang, Question, study, Ukraine
  • Questions about military service

    Feb 18, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I was born in Korea, but I moved to the States when I was one. The time is coming where…

    family, Military, Parents, Question
  • Idol friends that stopped hanging out out of the blue

    Feb 17, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m making this post mainly thinking of Giselle and Somi. They used to be incredibly close, to the point they’d…

    Question
  • koreans who immigrated out of korea and changed nationality, do u regret it?

    Feb 17, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I was raised abroad and lived abroad my entire life and am thinking about changing my nationality, meaning i would…

    Koreans, Question
  • Is this guy famous?

    Feb 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Is this guy famous?

    I was in Korea back in 2018 and saw this guy surrounded by people- lot of them were trying to…

    Question
  • What does the future hold for ITZY as their 7th anniversary approaches?

    Feb 15, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I actually posted here before about my thoughts on ITZY’s biggest “what-ifs” in their career. Aside from that, I’ve also…

    Curiosity, Question
  • Groups that have improved their group chemistry over time

    Feb 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Every once and a while the kpop subreddits get a question about “what groups are genuinely friends?” or “which idols…

    Question
  • Survey about Cultural differences between France and Korea in workplace communication

    Feb 13, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m a student currently working on a thesis about cultural differences in workplace communication, specifically comparing France and Korea. As…

    Question, study, Survey
  • why is babymonster said to be 2nd gen coded ?

    Feb 12, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    as a monstiez I’ve seen a lot of people in kpop spaces like twt , kpop reaction channels and right…

    Question
  • As a foreigner I had a question about Yoon Suk Yeol’s justification for his actions

    Feb 11, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Our media only cover the current trial in the broadest of strokes and I had a question about the nitty-gritty.…

    Lawmakers, Question
  • ONF Charts a New Course with ‘FIND THE ROUTE’ Concept (PHOTOS)

    Feb 9, 2025
    in Entertainment, Feeds
    ONF Charts a New Course with ‘FIND THE ROUTE’ Concept (PHOTOS)

    In the ever-evolving landscape of K-pop, ONF is set to make waves with their upcoming release, “ONF:MY IDENTITY,” the first…

    Curiosity, Japan, K-pop, Mystery, Question
  • 50 shades of brown/black: who are the idols that almost never change their hair color?

    Feb 8, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Dying your hair is a pretty common practice among idols, specially around a comeback. But then there are some that…

    Question
  • I’m known as the K-Pop teacher at my school.

    Feb 7, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey, I’m a 24-year-old teacher who lives in South Africa. I’ve liked kpop since 2019, and have always been very…

    BTS, K-pop, Question
  • F-6 Visa Health Certificate

    Feb 7, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone, I was hoping you could help me with this question. My spouse (an American citizen) and I (a…

    Question, travel
  • MEGATHREAD: NJZ, THE RE-DEBUTING

    Feb 7, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    On February 7th, the members of the former NewJeans announced that they would re-debut under a new name, NJZ. The…

    Question
  • ONF Embarks on a Musical Journey with “FIND THE ROUTE” Concept

    Feb 6, 2025
    in Entertainment, Feeds

    K-pop sensation ONF is set to captivate fans once again with their upcoming release, “ONF:MY IDENTITY,” the first part of…

    K-pop, Question, Tokyo
  • Homemade Kimchi Jigae – And a question!

    Feb 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Homemade Kimchi Jigae – And a question!

    Hello, I always have to resort to some premade Kimchi (if my Halmeoni doesn’t bless me with hers :P), so…

    Kimchi, Question
  • Do groups get paid for winning at award shows?

    Feb 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Just suddenly popped up in my head. This question is mainly targetted towards award shows like MAMA, MMA, AAA, and…

    Question
  • The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond

    Feb 5, 2025
    in History
    The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond

    Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has…

    Ancient Korea, Baekje, family, Historical Landmark, historical tours, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, K-pop, Kimchi, Korean War, Koreans, Military, Politics, Question, Seoul, Silla, study, Three Kingdom, travel
  • Tips & Recommendation for a couple visiting Korea for the first time (specific questions)

    Feb 2, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello! My husband and I are visit Korea for two weeks this month and I wanted to ask a few…

    Advice, Korean Food, Question, Suga
  • Why don’t all the members enlist together?

    Feb 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    This is a genuine question, please do not attack me A member of my fav group is gonna enlist in…

    Military, Question
  • What would happen if a kpop idol were to come out as aroace?

    Feb 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    As someone who is aroace, I’ve had a lot of thoughts about aroace over the years, but one question that…

    Question
  • Question about Korean fashion during the Joseon dynasty

    Feb 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    So, after watching some historical K-dramas and movies, which are mostly set during the Joseon dynasty, I get the impression…

    Joseon, K-drama, Question
  • Lim Jangsu (림장수, 林長守) was a Korean Kamikaze pilot who died in a suicide attack on US navy vessels in the Philippines on Dec. 7, 1944; he was from Yeomju-eup near Sinuiju

    Jan 31, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Lim Jangsu (림장수, 林長守) was a Korean Kamikaze pilot who died in a suicide attack on US navy vessels in the Philippines on Dec. 7, 1944; he was from Yeomju-eup near Sinuiju

    These two Imperial propaganda news articles from January 1945 cover an ethnic Korean kamikaze pilot, Lim Jangsu (林長守). Lim Jangsu…

    family, history, Japan, Military, North Korea, Parents, Question, travel
  • Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3

    Jan 30, 2025
    in Art, History
    Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3

    Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering…

    Cultural Diversity, Curiosity, Demographics, Discussion, history, Japan, Koreans, LG, Question, Social Media, squid game, Suga, traditional games
  • 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
  • Questions regarding Korean language for my child

    Jan 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey guys, I’ll make a long story short, married a korean woman, we’re living outside of korea, and will be…

    Advice, family, Korean Language, Question
  • PCB maker Isupetasys cancels M&A with carbon nanotube producer

    Jan 29, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    PCB maker Isupetasys cancels M&A with carbon nanotube producer

    Isupetasys’ plant in Daegu, North Gyeongsang province South Korean printed circuit board (PCB) maker Isupetasys Co. has withdrawn a 300-billion-won…

    daegu, fail, Protest, Question, request
←Previous Page Next Page→

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Celebrity Cheese Controversy Coupang Crime Curiosity Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Genesis 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 Korean Military Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology KT Lawmakers 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 Stress study Suga Survey Tokyo Tourism travel Warning

Latest Korean News

  • Kwangwoon University hosts robot developer conferenceJanuary 29, 2026
    Kwangwoon University hosted the inaugural Robot Operating System developer conference… Read more: Kwangwoon University hosts robot developer conference
  • FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2026January 29, 2026
    1661-Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England is… Read more: FRIDAY, Jan. 30, 2026
  • Police raid Coupang in probe into ex-DPK lawmaker’s alleged wrongdoings probeJanuary 29, 2026
    Police on Thursday raided Coupang’s headquarters as part of an… Read more: Police raid Coupang in probe into ex-DPK lawmaker’s alleged wrongdoings probe
  • [PHOTOS] Cold snap freezes Han RiverJanuary 29, 2026
    Members of the Gwangnaru Water Rescue Team under Seoul’s Gangdong… Read more: [PHOTOS] Cold snap freezes Han River
  • Supreme Court rules Samsung should count bonus in calculating severance payJanuary 29, 2026
    The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Samsung Electronics should count… Read more: Supreme Court rules Samsung should count bonus in calculating severance pay

Latest Community Feeds

  • Thin Seaweed (Maesaengi) Oyster Noodle SoupJanuary 29, 2026
  • Is asking for confirmation seen as disrespect now?January 29, 2026
  • Pork belly with rice and saladJanuary 29, 2026
  • CJ ENM could’ve been as big as the Big 3 & HYBEJanuary 29, 2026
  • Family-friendly dining spot in Hongdae for celebration?January 29, 2026
  • Can’t believe lngshot just debuted 2 weeks ago and they’re already 2nd most listened 5th gen bg on Spotify 4.3m left behind 5th gen groups like h2h,kiiikiii,allday project,meovv,boynextdoor,tws, zb1,riize,kiss of life,kickflip, izna and they also have biggest spotify streaming day among 5th gen bgsJanuary 29, 2026
  • What is this side dish that they served?January 29, 2026
  • Seoul cafe notice sparks debate as foreigners back learning KoreanJanuary 29, 2026
  • Daejeo tomatoes, just starting to show upJanuary 29, 2026
  • What are you all going to do for the upcoming Lunar New Year?January 29, 2026
  • Myeongdong street food is a total tourist scam.January 29, 2026
  • Where can I find turtle chips in London?January 29, 2026
  • Ojingeo deopbap(Spicy squid over rice)January 29, 2026
  • Accountability, not religious persecution – The Korea TimesJanuary 29, 2026
  • Has anyone tried making yakgwa? Finally attempted it after binge-watching Alchemy of SoulsJanuary 29, 2026
  • Dried pollack and rice cake dumpling soup on a cold winter day. ^^January 29, 2026
  • Trump says ‘we’ll work something out with South Korea’ after tariff threatJanuary 29, 2026
  • South Korea to Fast-Track Housing Supply in Seoul to Cool PricesJanuary 29, 2026
  • This is Korean 알밥 (al bap)January 29, 2026
  • Korean Air in-flight meal bibimbap.January 29, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (17,384)
    • Community (12,300)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,064)
  • 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