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

  • YG to do something about BABYMONSTER’s rap lyrics

    Oct 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Okay, I need to get this off my chest because it’s been bothering me for a while. BABYMONSTER are genuinely…

    Cycling, Question, Tokyo
  • Question and Answer in your opinion!!!!!

    Oct 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Why is it that even though SISTAR didn’t have a top Gen 2 visual with unmogged face card, their center…

    netizens, Question
  • Why is SM being so freaking dumb with SMTR25?

    Oct 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    They have been delaying their debut for two years now. Seriously, the average age range of the trainees isn’t looking…

    fail, Japan, KT, Military, Question, Teenager
  • Would you date a kpop idol? Why would you do that? Why not?

    Oct 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    First of all, if this topic has been discussed to death then I’m sorry but here’s another one because I’ve…

    family, Question, Scandal, Social Media
  • As an Indian, LOVED Lara for the Sindoor accesory! Here’s why.

    Oct 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    As an Indian from North India, I’m well acquainted with these cultural practices. So, why do I hold a different…

    Question
  • Women kpop fans, do you feel differently about male fans joining the space?

    Oct 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been thinking about something regarding the gender divide in kpop fandoms and I’m curious to hear different perspectives, especially…

    Perspectives, Question, Sex
  • For anyone who went, how much do LE SSERAFIM sing live?

    Oct 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I have seen many discussions about le sserafim concerts and wanted to ask this question so I know what I…

    Discussion, Question
  • What would it be like if TWICE Mina didn’t left Texas before debuting?

    Oct 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This is just a WHAT-IF question, so kindly don’t take it seriously From the moment I started stan TWICE in…

    Japan, K-pop, Question
  • question: parenthood/marriagw for male vs female idols

    Oct 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    why does a female kpop idol getting pregnant and/or married essentially end her career, followed by extreme public backlash and…

    Fame, Question, Sex
  • UAU Concert Ticket Question Wondering Which One To Buy

    Oct 9, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi guys! I’m planning on attending in Orlando, FL. This would be my first concert alone. So I’m very nervous…

    Question
  • Minju, Unfiltered: Inside aeae x HELLO KITTY’s “COME AS YOU ARE”

    Oct 8, 2026
    in Feeds

    ILLIT’s Minju enters a room built from pink nostalgia, personal codes and digital-era desire — and turns a character collaboration…

    apology, Discussion, Gen Z, Global Expansion, Japan, K-pop, KT, LG, Photography, Question, Seoul, Tokyo, travel
  • When did K-pop Idols at fashion shows became so common?

    Oct 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I ask this question because it is something that I have noticed a lot frequently. Besides from g-dragon and blackpink…

    K-pop, Question
  • I have questions regarding Grammy as how many people will be voting for that Asian category out of total voting body? And does Voting Members matter?

    Oct 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    From my limited knowledge about Grammy Voting I know is that in 6 main categories everyone votes. Like like AOTY,…

    BTS, Japan, Question
  • Genuine question, how many different ways did HyunA screw up her career?

    Oct 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This isn’t me trying to spread hate, I’m genuinely curious about this. Just to preface, I’m not that into K-pop,…

    K-pop, KT, Question
  • How to get into newer groups even tho they are a lot younger than u?

    Oct 5, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Most my favs don’t drop as much anymore and I’ve been slowly drifting cuz lack of content. There’s a few…

    Question
  • Cornell building sprayed with graffiti blasting school’s response to gang rape complaint

    Oct 5, 2026
    in News

    ITHACA, New York — Cornell’s main administration building was splashed with graffiti and a glass door was broken overnight as…

    Justice, Protest, Punishment, Question, Sex, sexual assault
  • Janggi (Korean chess) game I built

    Oct 5, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m not one for posting on Reddit, so forgive me if I’ve broken any rules posting like this 😄 I…

    Ewha, Question
  • What if Grammy establish USA category instead of Asian category?

    Oct 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    *Reposted, because apparently original question led everybody to focus on different thing. Just a note: I have no idea about…

    Question
  • K-Pop songs with nice performance videos but even better music videos?

    Oct 4, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    This probably sounds like an odd question and very niche. But you know how so many K-Pop groups these days…

    K-pop, LG, Question
  • 안녕하세요!] baechu-geotjeori (fresh kimchi, no fermenting) for when you want kimchi tonight

    Oct 3, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    안녕하세요! Real kimchi takes days. This one doesn’t. Baechu-geotjeori is the fresh, unfermented version — crunchy, dressed like a salad,…

    Kimchi, Question, Suga
  • Cornell and Burning Sun: What’s behind the comparisons?

    Oct 1, 2026
    in News

    SEATTLE — The sexual assault allegations involving seven current and former Cornell University students are drawing comparisons to Korea’s Burning…

    Korean American, Prostitution, Question, Scandal, Seoul, Sex, sexual assault, TCL
  • Question for fans who discovered aespa from Kiss and Tell then listened to Whole Different Animal later: How’s life treating you?

    Oct 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I thought Kiss and Tell was a lot of fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxzQt78lOk but it’s not really aespa’s usual concept, which often…

    Question
  • Acclaim vs. Popularity regarding Kpop Artists

    Oct 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    So I’ve just recently become a fan of kpop within the past year and a half, and am currently digging…

    Curiosity, Discussion, Question
  • A question for Armies re the Asian pop category at the Grammys vs the kpop category at the VMAs

    Sep 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    For both the Grammys and the VMAs you have to submit your songs for consideration. So if you don’t want…

    BTS, fail, Question
  • What to know about the terrifying FlyDubai flight forced to land in Saudi Arabia

    Sep 30, 2026
    in News

    One pilot stabs another as he attempts to take control of a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel…

    Question, Stress
  • Is the aespa concert worth it for a casual fan?

    Sep 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Aespa is in my city tonight and was thinking of grabbing some last minute tickets. I’m a pretty casual listener.…

    Question
  • Do BTS, BLACKPINK, STRAY KIDS and TWICE still need major labels or could they benefit from having their own labels?

    Sep 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I saw an article about the stock prices of HYBE, JYP, YG and SM (lowest drop) dropping even though their…

    BTS, Question
  • Happy belated Chuseok! What is songpyeon supposed to taste like?

    Sep 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve had songpyeon before, but I guess my question is related to my more recent experiences not matching what I…

    Chuseok, Question
  • LATAM is definitely an potential market for kpop – and more groups should do concerts there

    Sep 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I know there are groups like SUJU who has always been doing concerts in LATAM but in general, lots of…

    BTS, Question
  • Question about restoring Korean citizenship after renouncing it

    Sep 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone familiar with Korean nationality law can help me understand my options. I’m a 25 y/o…

    family, Parents, Question
  • Excessive questions from relatives top list of Chuseok irritations

    Sep 27, 2026
    in News

    Excessive personal questions and interference from relatives have been named the most unwanted aspect of the Chuseok holiday this year.…

    Chuseok, family, Question, Survey
  • Genuine question: what exactly makes SEVENTEEN so popular?

    Sep 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m genuinely asking because I’ve tried multiple times to get into SEVENTEEN and become a Carat, but I just can’t…

    Question
  • In the history of K‑POP girl groups, who would you name as a truly great lead vocalist?

    Sep 25, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I don’t think being a lead vocalist is just about singing well. As the second or third vocal pillar, you…

    Discussion, history, LG, Question
  • Maximalism to Minimalism in K-Pop; Why 5th-gen May Feel Boring to Some

    Sep 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    *Note: Maximalism: An aesthetic and musical style characterized by abundance, layered and high energy production, bold styling and the “more…

    Discussion, K-pop, K-pop Fans, KT, LG, netizens, Question, Social Media
  • Lee, Trump discussed shipbuilding in brief New York meeting: White House

    Sep 23, 2026
    in News

    WASHINGTON — A White House official said Wednesday South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed…

    Donald Trump, Peace, purpose, Question, Seoul
  • As 5% Treasury yields lose shock value, investors start worrying about 6%

    Sep 23, 2026
    in News

    LONDON — For years, 5 percent on the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was viewed as the point at which…

    Question
←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

  • KBO asks MLB to post All-Star slugger Roh Si-hwanOctober 31, 2026
    The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Saturday it has asked… Read more: KBO asks MLB to post All-Star slugger Roh Si-hwan
  • Women denied access to education mourn principal who gave it backOctober 31, 2026
    “You have to go to your families and say, ‘I… Read more: Women denied access to education mourn principal who gave it back
  • Korea’s top diplomat discusses ties with German, Polish counterpartsOctober 31, 2026
    Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met separately with his German and… Read more: Korea’s top diplomat discusses ties with German, Polish counterparts
  • Love hotteok? Here’s how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your dietOctober 31, 2026
    Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Comedian Shin Bong-sun,… Read more: Love hotteok? Here’s how the sugary, oil-fried snack can affect your diet
  • 샘 올트먼 오픈AI CEO, 삼성 사장단 50명과 AI 미래 전략 논의October 31, 2026
    단순히 인공지능(AI)을 도입하는 것만으로는 더 이상 시장에서 지속 가능한 우위를… Read more: 샘 올트먼 오픈AI CEO, 삼성 사장단 50명과 AI 미래 전략 논의

Latest Community Feeds

  • Tim Hortons location in Korea might just be better than any we have in CanadaOctober 31, 2026
  • End of an era? South Korea’s sun sets in the Premier League but Japan rise | JapanOctober 31, 2026
  • 삼강식당October 31, 2026
  • osambulgogi&jjigai 오삼불고기 애호박찌개October 31, 2026
  • Which previous summer felt like the hottest?October 31, 2026
  • Seoul fears being sidelined as US reaches out to North KoreaOctober 31, 2026
  • Lee’s posting spree is legitimizing anti-migrant sentiment in Korea, experts sayOctober 31, 2026
  • Weekly Social Media ThreadOctober 31, 2026
  • 소고기 된장찌개 Beef Doenjang JjigaeOctober 31, 2026
  • KOREAN DINNINGOctober 31, 2026
  • KOREAN GNOCCHIOctober 31, 2026
  • Ambassador Steel Visits North Korean School in BusanOctober 31, 2026
  • South Korea clamps down on Tesla drivers for unlocking restricted full self-driving feature, $15,000 fines and prison possible sentences — suspects imported hardware from Europe and China, then traded tips on concealing activation logsOctober 31, 2026
  • What do you think of Rescene’s endorsements from Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, Woori BankOctober 31, 2026
  • I went to the Bunsik restaurant in Mangwon MarketOctober 31, 2026
  • Smoky stir-fried baby octopus (Jjukumi) bibimbap with fresh greens and savory stew [OC]October 31, 2026
  • Does belonging to a group actually restrict/limit solo opportunties or progression for its members?October 31, 2026
  • The hate in the K-pop industry is awful!October 31, 2026
  • Who is on your Mount Rushmore of the hottest female Kpop idols?October 31, 2026
  • Do we think hybe is over the edm “brainrot” type songsOctober 31, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (27,086)
    • Community (20,234)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,423)
  • 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