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

  • How big are the c-line of wjsn in china??

    Sep 1, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    That’s it that’s the question are they more famous there now??like it was worthy leaving WJSN? Are they now actress…

    Question
  • Who do you think is a good American interviewer for K-pop idols?

    Aug 31, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been thinking about this a lot and I wanna know your thoughts about it. I know a lot of…

    BTS, K-pop, Question
  • The staytiny awakening: why does this happen?

    Aug 31, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Today i saw another post on threads about a stay discovering they like ateez so much they decides to enter…

    Question
  • 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.

    Aug 31, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    It was no secret that Blackpink’s 10th anniversary event was a complete disaster and both YG and the members had…

    Controversy, K-pop, Question
  • the bowls, as promised. and two questions.

    Aug 31, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    a while back a friend invited me to something called malbok and i ended up posting a picture of the…

    family, Goguryeo, Goryeo, Japan, Koreans, Question
  • Which Kpop idol do you think is the most powerful vocalist?

    Aug 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Which Kpop idol do you think is the most powerful vocalist? Things you can go of off: Vocal range, screaming…

    Question
  • What does it take for a girl group to be called “the biggest girl group in the world” by global media outlets?

    Aug 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    It has been eight years since Blackpink’s rise to global popularity and six years since the group had been labeled…

    BBC, BTS, K-pop, Question, Social Media
  • as a blink of 6 years, my biggest concern with blackpink has always been their lack of communication and i think it’s starting to limit their artistry

    Aug 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    from the beginning, they’ve mostly operated within the traditional framework of what’s considered acceptable for k pop idols. i don’t…

    apology, Fame, KT, Question
  • Would nonfans ever admit that they were wrong about Lisa’s achievements in between 2024 and 2025?

    Aug 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    In between 2024 and 2025, Lisa was experiencing a world wind of misinformation after rumors had exploded about her dating…

    BBC, family, history, K-pop, LG, LVMH, Question
  • Jeju death raises troubling questions about police

    Aug 27, 2026
    in News
    Jeju death raises troubling questions about police

    The death of a 37-year-old woman on Jeju Island has raised a disturbing question: Can we trust the police? The…

    Crime, fail, family, Jeju, Question
  • How well do you guys think Day By Day, Sexy Love, and Number 9 would had performed if the scandal didn’t happened?

    Aug 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I am going to be honest, I have fallen into a T-ara rabbit hole the past week. Recently I was…

    Controversy, history, Question, Scandal, Sex
  • How do you guys thin Day By Day, Sexy Love, and Number 9 would had performed if the scandal didn’t happened?

    Aug 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I am going to be honest, I have fallen into a T-ara rabbit hole the past week. Recently I was…

    Controversy, history, Question, Scandal, Sex
  • The reason why fans of girl groups call people that criticize the bold outfits/choreography of the members “puritans” is because the same standards are not held towards boy groups.

    Aug 26, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Disclaimer: The sexualization of women in the entertainment industry should be called out as companies have exploited women for many…

    Discussion, K-pop, Question, Sex
  • 1,138 graduates receive degrees at University of Seoul’s commencement ceremony

    Aug 25, 2026
    in News
    1,138 graduates receive degrees at University of Seoul’s commencement ceremony

    The University of Seoul held its August 2026 commencement ceremony at its campus on Aug. 21, the university said Friday.…

    Question, Seoul
  • The reason why fans treat the bold actions of female acts and male acts differently is more than just misogyny.

    Aug 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Disclaimer: I am not saying that misogyny does not play a factor in this as it does play a very…

    Discussion, Feminism, history, K-pop, Question, Sex
  • Body believed to be missing Jeju woman found near guesthouse

    Aug 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    For anyone who has been following the news: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260824/body-believed-to-be-missing-jeju-woman-found-near-guesthouse A body believed to be that of a 37-year-old woman who…

    Crime, family, Jeju, Question, request
  • when “problematic” becomes a fandom weapon

    Aug 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been thinking about how K-pop fandoms handle “problematic” behavior, and I feel like there are two very different things…

    Celebrity, Discussion, K-pop, Question, Scandal
  • Military Service Flowchart for Overseas Koreans, Dual Nationals, K-Diaspora/Adoptees and Gyopo

    Aug 24, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    30M Korean born and raised abroad, completed my military service from 2020 to 2022. I frequently see posts on this…

    Advice, Ewha, family, history, Justice, Korean Military, Koreans, Medical, Military, Parents, purpose, Question, Seoul, Sex, Stress, study, Survey, travel, Warning
  • Giselle Doesn’t Follow K-Pop’s Rules. She’s Rewriting Them

    Aug 23, 2026
    in Feeds
    Giselle Doesn’t Follow K-Pop’s Rules. She’s Rewriting Them

    In Marie Claire Korea x LOEWE’s September issue, aespa’s Giselle stops chasing the center of the frame — because she’s…

    Japan, K-pop, Photography, purpose, Question
  • Nana x Louis Vuitton — ELLE Hong Kong September 2026

    Aug 22, 2026
    in Feeds
    Nana x Louis Vuitton — ELLE Hong Kong September 2026

    LIGHT THAT DARES: After School’s Nana Redraws the Rules of K-Pop Icon Status on ELLE Hong Kong’s September 2026 Cover…

    Global Expansion, Japan, K-pop, Photography, Question, study
  • The double standards when it comes to certain lyrics and actions amongst male and female acts in K-pop is quite noticeable.

    Aug 22, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Disclaimer: I am not hating on any male K-pop acts that are going to be mentioned in this topic as…

    K-pop, K-pop Fans, Question
  • NINA Stops Asking: Inside the Detonation of WHY NOT ME?

    Aug 22, 2026
    in Feeds
    NINA Stops Asking: Inside the Detonation of WHY NOT ME?

    The room is barely lit — string bulbs blurred to honey behind her, a single red lamp burning low like…

    apology, Gen Z, Global Expansion, Japan, K-pop, Photography, Question, Seoul, Tokyo, Warning
  • JENNIE Is the New Face of Adidas Originals—and K-Pop’s Next Cultural Shockwave

    Aug 22, 2026
    in Feeds
    JENNIE Is the New Face of Adidas Originals—and K-Pop’s Next Cultural Shockwave

    The room is blue, almost weightless. A body cuts through it like a signal: one arm reaching, one leg suspended,…

    Celebrity, Global Expansion, history, Japan, K-pop, KT, LG, Mystery, Photography, Question, Seoul, Tokyo, travel
  • How much was and is K-pop consumed in Korea during the 1st-5th generation?

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Recently, I was watching a video posted by a Army YouTuber named Boracity Magazine titled “bts and “k-pop without the…

    BTS, history, K-pop, K-pop Fans, Question
  • fromis_9’s latest variety content reached a million views under a day

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    In fromis_9’s variety channel, “Studio fromis_9”, they dropped a teaser for this episode where the members were all launched in…

    Question
  • I love my Lsfm girls but I’d really prefer it if they didn’t use prerecorded vocals

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    First of all, I’m a big stan of the group so please don’t come at me and label me a…

    KT, Question
  • What comes to mind when you think of songs that sound similar to each other?

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    (Please don’t mention Aespa’s “Whiplash” and Kiss of Life’s “What!”. Kind of tired of hearing about it on Twitter and…

    Question
  • Hi! I’m compiling a 100 track playlist of K-Pop legendary songs with a personal criteria of 7 songs representations rule, spanning from 1st gen to 4th gen, and I would like to ask the sub’s opinions and thoughts on the most iconic 7 female and male K-Pop soloist hits.

    Aug 21, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    What songs do you think are essential for someone just being introduced into the K-Pop world? Currently my selection is…

    K-pop, LG, Question
  • Hate is the new normal. Avoid it instead

    Aug 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Most questions of “Why my favorite group X is facing hatred?” or doomposting of hate posts of a certain group…

    Controversy, Question
  • I think there is self righteousness and over reactions about BTS here

    Aug 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Some of BTS’s fans seem so dramatic. The reaction to BTS and Chris Brown has got to be some of…

    BTS, Question
  • BTS concert: honest feed back please – arirang worth it?

    Aug 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Im debating whether to buy tix for my 1st concert in LA. Been an army since 2020. But in watching…

    BTS, Question
  • International Voter Registration Drive 2026, for dual Korean-U.S. citizens

    Aug 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi, this is the second (and final) reminder I’ll make for dual Korean-US citizens and other eligible US voters who…

    family, Question, request
  • B.A.P: The Forgotten Blueprint — Does a Group’s Eventual Commercial Failure Erase Its Influence?

    Aug 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    ​ Before B.A.P’s upcoming 15th anniversary, it is time to ask what they actually left behind Some groups define an…

    BTS, coffee, Controversy, Discussion, fail, history, Japan, K-pop, LG, Question, study
  • Actress Hayoung’s ‘four generations of doctors’ brag backfired hard — the deeper history behind why Koreans are furious”

    Aug 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi r/korea, I’ve been following the Hayoung (“하영”) family scandal closely and did my own write-up analyzing it — pulling…

    apology, Celebrity, Crime, Daejeon, family, Historical Figure, history, Japan, Korean History, Koreans, Medical, Old Korea, Punishment, Question, Scandal, Seoul, study, Survey, Tokyo
  • Which is better KAIST or SNU for Bachelors in Physics or any Engineering Fields?

    Aug 16, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hey everyone, I’m a 12th-grade student from Mumbai, India, and I’m looking for universities in Japan and Korea with strong…

    Japan, Question
  • Teen girl arrested after pouring boiling water on her mother

    Aug 16, 2026
    in News
    Teen girl arrested after pouring boiling water on her mother

    A teenage girl has been arrested after allegedly pouring boiling water over her mother, who tried to stop her from…

    Punishment, 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