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Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Scandal

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Hannah Bahng about Leo Lee (ex. Trainee A)

    Jul 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    hannah bahng wrote the following posts on her official twitter (hannahhbbahng): “VOTE FOR LEO MY AUSSIE BRO!!! he’s so talented…

    Scandal
  • Every get a strange feeling you just can’t explain?

    Jul 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I can’t explain why but I got a strange feeling that a huge secret involving HYBE is about to be…

    Scandal
  • Twice’s comeback saved this year. Nothing else has made much noise

    Jul 18, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Just in terms of EVERYTHING – promo, sound, concept; Twice is the only group who has pulled it off this…

    Question, Scandal
  • Underrated K-pop groups you thought deserved more recognition?

    Jul 17, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been thinking about K-pop groups that, in my personal opinion, had all the talent and potential to hit it…

    BTS, K-pop, Scandal
  • S.Korea’s most prominent business leader returns with all his charges cleared

    Jul 17, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    S.Korea’s most prominent business leader returns with all his charges cleared

    Samsung Group Chairman Jay Y. Lee gives a speech during a visit by US President Joe Biden to the chipmaker’s…

    history, KT, Medical, Nvidia, Question, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Scandal, Seoul, SK Hynix
  • Scandals mar minister nominees, testing South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s reform agenda

    Jul 16, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Scandals mar minister nominees, testing South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s reform agenda

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

    Scandal
  • Do you guys think Big Bang will comeback next year as 4 members?

    Jul 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    G-Dragon has been spoiling all over his concerts that Big Bang will be making music again as a group by…

    Scandal, squid game
  • Korean TikToker Won Jeong, with 54.8M followers, Convicted of SA, Is Posting Again, and Millions Think He’s Innocent Due to Misinformation

    Jul 13, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    A TikToker named Won Jeong (원정맨), with over 54.8 million followers, was convicted of quasi-r*pe (준강간) in South Korea —…

    apology, Celebrity, Crime, fail, Justice, KT, Punishment, Scandal, Sex, sexual assault
  • Katseye is not kpop. It’s pop and they produce exactly what the pop industry does

    Jul 10, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m gonna play devils advocate. Sorry if my opinion is wrong: Katseye is pop. And they produce exactly what the…

    Scandal, Sex
  • The “7-year curse,” “six-member curse,” “hybe’s curse with its girl groups” don’t exist; they’re just companies not knowing how to manage their groups.

    Jul 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I know many say this mockingly, but we mustn’t forget the reality: many companies don’t know how to manage their…

    Scandal
  • If there was a Big Bang 2026 reunion tour, would GD invite Seungri?

    Jul 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    GD has really been hyping VIPs up on his tour with mentions of something big happening in 2026 for Big…

    Scandal
  • What’s the most shocking tea ever in the K-pop industry?

    Jun 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Not just the usual dating scandals or “X idol was rude” stuff, but the kind that made you do a…

    K-pop, K-pop industry, Question, Scandal
  • KKR in control feud over Korea’s top solar power plant

    Jun 29, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    KKR in control feud over Korea’s top solar power plant

    TACE’s solar power plant in South Korea (File photo by TACE) Global private equity giant KKR & Co. Inc. is…

    Advice, BTS, fail, Scandal, Seoul
  • Junhan’s comment really disappointed me, this isn’t just curiosity, it’s racial stereotyping

    Jun 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I usually just lurk here, but after reading what Junhan said in that Bubble Q&A, I couldn’t stay quiet. Basically,…

    apology, Curiosity, Question, Scandal, Suga
  • Ever unstan an idol you genuinely respected? Not out of drama… just quiet disconnection.

    Jun 28, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    This isn’t a rage post. No scandals, no betrayals. I’m talking about something more subtle when you slowly stop feeling…

    Controversy, K-pop, Scandal
  • Do gay idols avoid scandals easier because they get mistaken for being good friends?

    Jun 27, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Theoretically, if we put the whole stigma aside, wouldn’t it be easier for gay idols to date? All the absurd…

    Scandal, Sex
  • I don’t see anything wrong with chaebols

    Jun 21, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Now I understand that a lot of people don’t like chaebols or nepo babies because they usually use mommy and…

    Parents, Scandal
  • Dirty Work might be aespa’s last big comeback for awhile

    Jun 7, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    i know the title is a bit inflammatory, please read before getting defensive lol. i’ve been a big supporter of…

    history, KT, Scandal
  • Why do Sakura solos say that Sakura saved Le Sserafim?

    Jun 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    There’s this heated discourse I’ve been seeing in their fandom recently mostly from the toxic side of the fandom (solos)…

    Japan, Scandal
  • Foreign members who like being addressed as “hyung/unnie”?

    Jun 5, 2025
    in Feeds

    A lot of kpop content from the groups I’ve observed have the younger members not calling their older members hyung/unnie.…

    Scandal
  • How did Jaejoong manage to retain his popularity?

    Jun 4, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Jaejoong’s longevity is unheard of for most K-pop idols, in my opinion. He hasn’t been involved in any dating scandals…

    K-pop, Scandal
  • South Korea’s liberal Lee Jae-myung leads presidential vote – exit poll

    Jun 3, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    South Korea’s liberal Lee Jae-myung leads presidential vote – exit poll

    South Korea’s liberal politician Lee Jae-myung has two thumbs up after his last campaign on June 2, 2025, in Seoul…

    Democracy, Discussion, Donald Trump, fail, family, Japan, Lawmakers, martial law, Military, North Korea, Pyongyang, Scandal, Seoul, Survey
  • has anyone else just completely fallen out of love with kpop

    Jun 2, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    i was a fan since 2020, and man it used to be really fun back then. blackpink was active, and…

    Scandal
  • Why Sulli fans dislike Choiza as a fan who saw the relationship in real time

    Jun 2, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been seeing a lot of people downplay the Sulli/Choiza scandal recently because of their kpop idols interacting with Choiza…

    Celebrity, Military, Parents, purpose, Scandal, Sex
  • Accountability goes both ways: the accuser and the accused.

    Jun 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    In light of the recent Karina instagram post scandal: I’ve been seeing a lot of misinformation about the situation from…

    apology, Japan, Scandal, Sex
  • NEW GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR THE SUBREDDIT

    Jun 1, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Within the last day or so, there were some posts complaining about over moderation on the sub. We took that…

    Controversy, Discrimination, Discussion, Politics, Scandal, Sex
  • HYBE Raided for Insider Trading – The News Has Hit TMZ So I think it’s Serious

    May 30, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Link: https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/29/hybe-bts-management-company-raided-south-korea/ I’m kinda surprised that TMZ would pick this up, but I think it’s because BTS is such a…

    BTS, Scandal
  • The viral podcast about Jennie and IU should be talked about

    May 28, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Just to clarify it’s this podcast where they talk about how top Korean celebrities can all be solicited for a…

    Celebrity, Justice, Scandal, Sex
  • How do you feel about Kiss of life now after the scandal?

    May 26, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m just wondering if there are people here who still support them or those who are full of hate. How…

    Scandal
  • How is Korean rock music from the 1960’s to the 1980’s viewed by the majority of Koreans (older and younger) in comparison to Anglo-American and Japanese rock music of the same era?

    May 23, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I read that foreign rock records were banned by the military dictatorship following a marijuana scandal in 1975 that involved…

    Japan, Koreans, Military, Scandal
  • Bird flu in Brazil hikes wholesale chicken prices in Korea

    May 19, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Bird flu in Brazil hikes wholesale chicken prices in Korea

    Kyochon’s signature sweet and spicy fried chicken served in a basket South Korea has suspended chicken imports from Brazil following…

    Food Safety, Pork, Scandal, Seoul
  • Judge Ji Guyoun’s face clearly visible in the whistleblower’s photo. The location is a high-end escort bar in Gangnam, Seoul.

    May 14, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Judge Ji Guyoun’s face clearly visible in the whistleblower’s photo. The location is a high-end escort bar in Gangnam, Seoul.

    (Translator’s note: Judge Ji Guyoun is in charge of the martial law-related trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was…

    Controversy, Democracy, korean democracy, martial law, Scandal, Seoul, Sex
  • About the Soojin references and the rebranding of Idle

    May 6, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    I’m gonna be honest here, and I also want to specify that I’m a Idle fan, so that I don’t…

    purpose, Scandal
  • Not hating on (G)I-DLE, but I’m really disappointed at them

    May 2, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    *BIG DISCLAIMER We don’t really know what happened behind the scenes, this is just my opinion based on what was…

    Scandal
  • Woori Financial wins approval for Tongyang, ABL Life acquisition

    May 2, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    Woori Financial wins approval for Tongyang, ABL Life acquisition

    Woori Financial Group’s headquarters in Seoul Woori Financial Group Inc., South Korea’s fourth-largest financial services provider, has received conditional approval…

    Samsung, Scandal, Seoul
  • Kpop idols that didn’t gaf when they got hate bombarded

    Apr 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    Are there any idols that just did not care at all when they got hate bombarded for doing something K-pop…

    apology, K-pop, K-pop Fans, Scandal
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Latest Korean News

  • NASA’s new moon mission is riskier than it should beJanuary 22, 2026
    Wish them well. Next month, four astronauts are expected to… Read more: NASA’s new moon mission is riskier than it should be
  • Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in CambodiaJanuary 22, 2026
    Seungri, once one of the best-known K-pop stars and a… Read more: Seungri and the shadow of ‘Burning Sun’: New allegations in Cambodia
  • Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out forceJanuary 22, 2026
    DAVOS, Switzerland — President Donald Trump demanded immediate talks on… Read more: Trump demands ‘immediate’ Greenland talks but rules out force
  • Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drillsJanuary 22, 2026
    The Army’s Special Warfare Command has been staging intensive wintertime… Read more: Army’s Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drills
  • Korea to set up World Cup base camp in GuadalajaraJanuary 22, 2026
    Korea will have their base camp for the upcoming FIFA… Read more: Korea to set up World Cup base camp in Guadalajara

Latest Community Feeds

  • Looking for ARMY moots in London concert 2026January 23, 2026
  • Visiting Korea first time in 10 yearsJanuary 23, 2026
  • Which kpop artist or group do you think can potentially headline for coachella next year?January 23, 2026
  • Coupang Investors File USTR Discrimination ComplaintJanuary 23, 2026
  • You don’t have to forgive an Idol because they ApologizedJanuary 23, 2026
  • Help identify this Korean oxtail dishJanuary 22, 2026
  • Japanese analysts cite South Korean edge in naval capabilityJanuary 22, 2026
  • Can I add chicken to a soondubu kit?January 22, 2026
  • Stupid kimchi questionJanuary 22, 2026
  • Thinly sliced oxtail from Korean Butchery in Queens, NYJanuary 22, 2026
  • Kimchi HelpJanuary 22, 2026
  • Late-night pepperoni pizza with garlic dip in koreaJanuary 22, 2026
  • Reducing oil from kimcheJanuary 22, 2026
  • This Is My Normal Korean LunchboxJanuary 22, 2026
  • Ever heard of Ge-guk-ji?January 22, 2026
  • Craving for Korean Food!!January 22, 2026
  • S. Korea becomes 1st nation to enact comprehensive law on safe AI usage | Yonhap News AgencyJanuary 22, 2026
  • South Korean GDP shrank in fourth quarter as fiscal stimulus fadesJanuary 22, 2026
  • Hyundai Union Rejects Robots Without Labor AgreementJanuary 22, 2026
  • Which idol’s vocal tone is ‘your’ personal favourite ??January 22, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (17,196)
    • Community (12,160)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (4,029)
  • 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

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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