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Living in Korea as a Foreigner: 10 Things I Wish I Knew
(From one outsider to another — no sugarcoating)
Thinking about moving to Korea? Here are 10 honest, must-know tips for foreigners living in Korea — from daily life to cultural surprises.
So, you're thinking about moving to Korea. Or maybe you're already here, staring at your apartment's ondol floor, wondering why your Wi-Fi router talks to you in Korean.
Welcome. You're not alone.
I moved to Korea three years ago. Packed my bags full of hope, two suitcases, and maybe... way too many expectations. What I’ve learned since then? It’s a beautiful, wild, sometimes confusing ride. One that’ll change you — in ways you didn’t ask for, but probably needed.
Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I came. No filters. No K-drama sparkle. Just the real stuff.
📍 Missed Day 1? That’s where the journey begins — with sizzling street food and cultural flavors.
➤ [Click here for Day 1: 5 Korean Street Foods You Shouldn’t Miss]
🥢 1. You won’t understand the language — and that’s okay.
I thought I’d be conversational in six months. Ha.
Reality? I still fumble through basic conversations. Like, I once ordered what I thought was rice... and ended up with raw liver. Long story.
But here’s the thing: Koreans are (mostly) patient. A smile and a few attempts at Korean go a long way. Learn to read Hangul. It’ll save you from ordering cow stomach again. True story.
🏠 2. Your apartment will be tiny. Like, can’t-open-the-fridge-all-the-way tiny.
My first place in Seoul? I could touch both walls with my arms outstretched. The bathroom was a wetroom — meaning the showerhead was literally above the toilet.
At first, I panicked. Then I learned to live simpler. And cleaner. (You kinda have to — there’s no room for clutter.)
Pro tip: Buy one of those foldable drying racks. You’ll thank me later.
🌶️ 3. Korean food is amazing — but it’s not always what you expect.
You’ve seen the mukbangs. You’ve drooled over bibimbap. But no one warned me about how spicy some “non-spicy” dishes could be.
Also: sugar is everywhere. Bread? Sweet. Pizza? Sometimes has corn and mayo. Just... go with it.
That said, nothing beats hot kimchi jjigae on a freezing day. Except maybe cold naengmyeon on a sweltering one.
👀 4. You will feel stared at. Especially outside Seoul.
It’s not always bad. Sometimes it’s curiosity. Sometimes admiration. Sometimes... well, not.
One day, a grandma on the subway touched my arm and said, “You look like a movie star!”
Another day, a man yelled “Hello!” at me across the street — then followed it with “Donald Trump!” Not my proudest moment.
Just smile. Move on. Get ice cream. You’ll be fine.
📱 5. Everything happens on apps. Seriously, everything.
KakaoTalk is life. Naver Map is your GPS. Coupang is your Amazon. And your food, your groceries, your laundry — all ordered through apps.
Get ready to download a dozen. And cry when they ask for Korean ID numbers you don’t have.
(Pro tip: some apps have a “foreigner login” buried in the settings. Dig.)
🛬 New in Korea?
These resources helped me survive (and laugh at) all the things I didn’t see coming:
Visa & Immigration Portal (Hi Korea)
Real-Life Living Tips – Expat Guide Korea
😌 6. Silence isn’t awkward here. It’s kind of expected.
At first, I thought everyone hated me. People didn’t say hi in elevators. Didn’t small talk in cafés. No random smiles.
Turns out... that’s just the vibe. Quiet is polite. Space is respected.
Now? I love it. No forced chat. Just comfortable silence. It's peaceful.
🧼 7. Korean hygiene culture is next level.
You’ll feel gross at first. Everyone’s always clean. Smelling good. Clothes crisp. Makeup on point. Shoes spotless.
Meanwhile, I wore flip-flops in winter once. People stared. Lesson learned.
Shower often. Use fabric softener. Embrace sheet masks.
Also: communal bathhouses (jjimjilbangs) are amazing — and terrifying the first time. But once you try it, you’ll never want to leave.
💸 8. Banking will make you want to scream into the void.
Forms in Korean. Apps that don’t recognize foreign phones. Random 3pm closing times.
Opening a bank account here? Took me five hours. And three visits.
But once it's set up — it’s efficient. Mobile transfers, zero-fee payments. Just... brace yourself for the beginning.
💬 9. Making Korean friends is hard. Keeping them is harder.
Don’t expect deep friendships overnight. Koreans have tight social circles. High school friends = lifelong friends.
But once you’re in? You’re really in.
Join a club. Go to a language exchange. Say yes to things.
Just don’t take distance personally. Sometimes, it’s cultural. Sometimes, they’re just busy. Or shy. Or both.
🧭 10. You’ll question everything — then find your rhythm.
There were days I wanted to leave. Days I cried in the rain because my delivery didn’t come. Days I felt completely... lost.
And then — slowly — it shifted.
I found my go-to kimbap shop. Learned which bus to take home. Started understanding the jokes. (Okay, like 20% of them.)
Life in Korea doesn’t get easier. **You** just get stronger.
See DAY 2 on navigating the Seoul subway
🎁 Bonus Truth: You will change. And that’s the whole point.
You came here thinking you were here to experience a culture. But surprise — you're the one who changes.
You’ll become more patient. More observant. More adaptable.
More... you.
Welcome to Korea. It’s not perfect. But neither are we.
And that’s what makes it beautiful.
🥬 Up Next: Day 4 – Grocery Shopping in Korea
What’s purple, smells like grapes, and isn’t juice? Yeah. That story’s coming tomorrow.
🍜 Missed how this all started?
[Day 1: 5 Korean Street Foods You'll Dream About Later] will make you hungry even if you’ve just eaten.
🚇 And if you’re still figuring out how to get to your local market…
[Day 2: How to Get Around Seoul] will save you hours of confusion (and maybe some blisters).
