5 APPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE LIFE IN SOUTH KOREA

Navigating life in Korea is a struggle, and it’s not because Google Maps isn’t a thing here. It can be an intimidating process translating the language, staying healthy, organizing your finances, ordering food at a restaurant, staying in touch with friends, and finding your way around the country. I am here to {hopefully} make that process a bit less daunting with some helpful apps that provide me with relief as I attempt to navigate my new life here in South Korea. 

Naver Map

So, Google Maps is not helpful in South Korea. I don’t think I’ve used the app since arriving in Asia. That being said, there is a constant competition between Naver Map and Kakao Map {insert eye-roll emoji here}. Certain expats consider one to be more convenient over the other. Personally, I utilize Naver Map much more than I do Kakao Map. I use Naver Map to locate my destination and navigate my way to it. I use Kakao map to share my locations with others, or copy a Korean address from the app {when sent a location}, where I then paste it into Naver Map.

Naver Map is simply easier to use in my opinion. It’s all in English which helps those who cannot grasp the new language easily {aka me}. Kakao Map is also in English, until you actually begin your route, then the Korean directions are provided. I will say that Kakao Map provides more specific addresses when looking for cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. But navigation itself — use Naver Map!

Kakao Talk

As orientation was coming to a close back in February, everyone began exchanging Kakao ID’s in order to stay in touch once dropped off to our new locations. Well, everyone but me. I had no idea what Kakao Talk {usually referred to as just Kakao} was, nor did I find it relevant until the very last day of orientation. Prior to arriving in Korea, I assumed my new friends and I would exchange numbers or Instagram handles after orientation, and that would be that. Oh how wrong I was.

Kakao is the app of all apps to stay in contact whilst in Korea. Everyone here has Kakao, and that’s not an exaggeration. Make sure you download it prior to arriving in South Korea. This is important. You will need a phone number in order to verify the account via SMS and you will most likely not have access to a phone number during the first few weeks you are in the country.

KEB Global

When you move to Korea, opening a bank account should be at the top of your list of to-do’s {after applying for your ARC card}. Banking in South Korea is a bitch. It just is. Hopefully you will have a rockstar Korean co-teacher that will help you with processes such as this one. Even so, I suggest you bank with KEB Hana and open an easy-one remittance account at the same time as your checking account.

When you open an easy-one account, you are able to transfer money directly to your bank account back home, with the click of a button {with the KEB app of course!}. It truly is that easy — hence the name. I will draft a more extensive post explaining banking here in South Korea, but for now, just know that this app has been a delight. You can transfer money domestically or internationally, check your balance and statements, pay your bills, etc. all from your phone. And the best part, it’s all in English! That’s right, all you have to do is select English for your language of choice when you initially download the app and you’re set.

Papago/Google Translate

My first attempt at signing up for a gym membership here in Korea was all made possible thanks to Papago. This is my favorite translating app {and I’ve tried a few}. You can write in English and have it translated to Korean or you can simply speak into the microphone of your phone and it will translate out loud in Korean. This is the route I normally take because it’s quicker than writing down everything I want to say. I just hold the microphone button down and they can speak in Korean which is translated into English.

It is truly a life saver for those moments of absolutely disconnect between the two languages. Google translate is also helpful as it has a feature that allows you to take a picture of something in Korean that can then be translated.

Air Visual

Air quality has been a huge issue for me since arriving in South Korea. But as they say, you’re only as prepared as your Air Visual app — okay no one says that. However, this app is a must if you are living in South Korea. I never understood the full meaning behind the constant mask-wearing in Asia… until now.

Some days are clearer {and cleaner} than others, but it’s nearly impossible to know without an app of some kind. Yellow dust particles {very common here} can be microscopic, meaning it may look clear outside, but you will be inhaling toxic air unknowingly. Just do yourself a favor and download the app! It’s been the most critical, of all my apps, to my health here in Korea.

These apps have been the most necessary since arriving here in South Korea. You are more than welcome to download more than these five prior to arriving in Korea, however I haven’t found many other apps that I couldn’t live without thus far.

Next on the blog, 15 Things That Surprised Me About South Korea