Welcome to Living in Korea, your ultimate English guide to navigating daily life, administration, and cultural experiences in South Korea. This category is specifically designed for expats, international students, USFK members, and foreign workers who want to thrive in Korea without the language barrier.
Here, you will find practical, step-by-step solutions to the most frustrating challenges faced by foreigners, including:
K-Digital Life Hacks: Mastering online identity verification (PASS app), ordering on Coupang, and using food delivery apps without a Korean ID.
Visa & Administration: Clear guides on ARC (Alien Registration Card) issuance, renewals, and simple remittance/money transfer methods.
Daily Living & Shopping: Budget-friendly shopping tips at Daiso, navigating public transportation, and finding English-speaking clinics or pharmacies.
Whether you have just landed in Seoul or have been living here for years, our expert insights and survival tips will help you hack your Korean life with confidence. Bookmark this page and make your stay in Korea smoother and easier!
This guide is based on firsthand experience and official Korean government and T-money sources. Last updated: July 2026. A T-money card is the small rechargeable card that lets you tap onto every subway, bus, and most taxis in Korea without buying a ticket each time. In this guide, you’ll learn where to buy a T-money … Read more
This guide is based on firsthand experience and official Korean telecom sources. Last updated: July 2026. You can get a SIM card in Korea at the airport in about 5–10 minutes, right after you clear immigration and collect your bags. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly where the counters are at Incheon and Gimpo airports, … Read more
This guide is based on firsthand experience and official Korean government sources. Last updated: July 2026. You need about eight apps to live comfortably in Korea as a foreigner in 2025: a digital ID app, KakaoTalk, Naver Map, Papago, a banking app, Kakao T, Coupang, and the NHIS health insurance app. In this guide, you’ll … Read more
This guide is based on firsthand experience and official Korean local government sources. Last updated: July 2026. You cannot throw away household trash in Korea using a regular plastic bag. Instead, you need to buy garbage bags in Korea that are officially designated by your district under the “jongnyangje” (volume-based waste fee) system. In this … Read more
This guide is based on firsthand expat experience and official Korean government sources including the Korea Immigration Service, NHIS, and the Financial Supervisory Commission. Last updated: June 2026 Your first 30 days in Korea are the most bureaucratically demanding — and the most important. The first 30 days in Korea checklist for foreigners starts with … Read more