Life&Culture
Survive & Thrive In series
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
#Expat
# Seoul life
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Survive & Thrive In series
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
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Becoming a Korean
TSurvive & Thrive is a weekly series offering a guide to living in South Korea for those born outside of the country. – Ed. According to the latest government data, there are 210,990 naturali
Tips on moving (1) — What’s ‘bokbi’?
As in any country, moving in South Korea involves navigating a range of practical considerations, from reclaiming your housing deposit and paying real estate commissions to registering your change of address with the authorities. This installment of the series looks at issues that often arise when searching for a new home, including local customs and legal considerations that may be unfamiliar to newcomers. If you are renting or buying a home for the first time in Korea, it is important to under
Jan. 10, 2026 - 16:00:00
Finding the safest place to live in Seoul
Seoul, a megacity bustling with nearly 10 million residents, is considered one of the safest places to live among major cities across the globe. Aside from anecdotal evidence of Seoulites leaving their cellphones and bags in public places to save a spot without concern of theft, international media outlets regularly place the South Korean capital near the top when ranking the most secure cities in the world. A 2025 ranking by CEO World rated Seoul 27th out of 300, and the Economist Intelligence
Dec. 17, 2025 - 09:00:00
Got a complaint? Here's how you can file petitions in Korea
There comes a time when anyone may need to seek the help of authorities, including when facing the complications of immigration policy. To support foreign nationals, the Korean government provides multiple channels, such as dedicated websites, call centers and free legal consultations. Still, the process can be challenging without guidance from someone familiar with it. This guide introduces the main resources available in South Korea and explains how to use them effectively to manage administra
Nov. 24, 2025 - 14:24:05
Tips on using public transportation in Korea
South Korea boasts one of the most advanced public transportation systems in the world, and passengers can save a substantial amount of money using the transfer system, particularly when traveling long distances within the greater Seoul area. But navigating the extensive networks of multiple subway lines, city buses and intercity trains and buses can be challenging, particularly for those unfamiliar with the system. Transit expenditures can be settled at the end of the month using some credit ca
Nov. 6, 2025 - 09:00:00
How about a drink? What alcohol means to business in Korea
"Let's go out for some soju next time," or "Let's grab a meal sometime," are often considered synonymous to an invitation for a semiformal meeting among Koreans with professional relationships. While not nearly as prominent in the 2020s as decades before, many Koreans still tend to get acquainted with each other through knocking back a few drinks, often in the form of "hoesik" — literally "work dining," typically meaning a meal after the workday officially ends — with the accompaniment of substa
Oct. 28, 2025 - 09:43:00
Tying the knot in Korea: paperwork and visas
A growing number of South Koreans are getting married with people of various countries. Each year, around 20,000 international marriages occur throughout the country — 20,759 in 2024 — and this article aims to provide guidelines about issues one should be mindful in a wedding that involves two people of different nationalities. Those with foreign roots can also reach out to the government for assistance through various programs to adjust to the life in Korea, namely on the obvious language barri
Sept. 20, 2025 - 16:00:00
Faux pas to avoid while living in Korea
One of the key values of Korean culture is respect. South Korea is a country that places a great deal of importance on showing respect to elders and superiors at work, which is, in turn, reciprocated with care and respect. Although international influences have transformed many aspects of Korean culture, respect of others is still of the utmost importance when living alongside Koreans. This ranges from different ways of speaking to dining customs and everyday etiquette. The term “sillye” literal
Aug. 6, 2025 - 14:59:28
Working in Korea as a foreigner: Must-know laws and tips
Traveling to a foreign country can be taxing, from adjusting to a different language and culture to navigating unfamiliar social norms. But getting a job there and working under completely different laws, regulations and workplace customs can be even more daunting. Under Korean labor law, foreign nationals with legitimate employment contracts are, in principle, entitled to the same rights as Korean workers. However, the reality can vary significantly, depending on your field and the bosses you w
June 10, 2025 - 17:53:14
Run-ins with the law ― dos and don'ts
Free interpretation among legal rights to be mindful of So following a lapse of your better judgement, you find yourself inside a police station in a foreign land. Your first instinct may be to use whatever Korean you know to explain yourself. But maybe don't be so quick to trust those same instincts that landed you there in the first place. As in many other countries, everyone on Korean soil has the right to a fair investigation and trial. For anyone who does not speak Korean, this includes req
April 1, 2025 - 11:46:09
From seasonal flu to TB, some foreign residents eligible for free shots
A guide to navigating Korea’s immunization program and checking your eligibility for subsidized vaccinations As the summer heat gives way to the crisp autumn air, it‘s time to start thinking about protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu. If you’re a foreign national resident in South Ko
Oct. 1, 2024 - 15:09:57
S. Korea's safest cities? Data blackout clouds the picture
A reader asked: which city is the safest in S. Korea? Our attempt to answer this seemingly straightforward question met unexpected challenges Safety ranks high on the list of priorities for South Korean and foreign residents alike when choosing where to live in the country. But despite extensive onl
Sept. 17, 2024 - 16:00:52
Need tools? Seoul has you covered
Community centers in Seoul and other major cities offer tool rentals Did you just move to Seoul and need tools for furniture assembly? Or perhaps you need items like an electric drill, hammer or wrench for your latest DIY project? Instead of buying and keeping these tools at home for the few times y
July 16, 2024 - 18:06:16
Introducing new rain alerts and why you should pay attention
Deadly flash flooding in Seoul in 2022 summer behind the development of a new mobile alert system Living in South Korea involves learning to differentiate between various mobile phone alerts and announcements, and deciding which ones to heed and which ones to disregard. These alerts, sent by differe
July 8, 2024 - 17:40:09
Like my hair? Get yours done at a Korean hair salon, if you know how
Discover Korea‘s secret to perfect hair If you thought perfect hair was only possible in Korean dramas or on K-pop stages, you might be surprised to see so many Koreans on the street with voluminous, perfectly styled hair. The secret may lie in Korean hair salons, or rather, in their abundance. Acco
April 30, 2024 - 15:16:54
Finding secondhand treasures in Korea
In neighborhood public spaces such as subway stations, it‘s not uncommon to witness individuals engaging in suspicious exchanges like in a spy film, often starting their exchange with a question that includes the Korean term, “danggeun.” “Hoksi danggeun?” one might inquire to initiate the exchange,
March 19, 2024 - 14:06:46
