Ju An Jang

Yonsei GSIS Newsletter, Junior Editor

Daily life in Korea revolves around a handful of mobile applications, many of which are unfamiliar to newly arrived international students. From food delivery and transportation to banking and campus life, these platforms make everyday tasks significantly easier. Here are some of the apps most commonly used by international students in Korea.

MONEY & DAILY LIFE

Karrot (당근마켓)

Karrot is Korea's neighborhood-based secondhand marketplace and a popular way for students to furnish rooms without buying everything new. Furniture, appliances, bicycles, and other essentials are frequently listed by nearby residents, while departing students often use the platform to sell belongings at the end of the semester. Since most listings are in Korean, many users browse with the help of translation apps such as Papago. Free items are typically labeled "나눔" (sharing). Registration requires a Korean phone number, while Karrot Pay requires an Alien Registration Card.

KakaoTalk & KakaoPay (카카오톡 / 카카오페이)

KakaoTalk is far more than a messaging app. Class group chats, student clubs, landlords, professors, and employers commonly communicate through the platform, making it one of the first apps students download after arriving in Korea. KakaoPay, integrated directly into KakaoTalk, is widely used for splitting bills, making purchases, and transferring money between users.

Toss (토스)

Toss combines banking, payments, budgeting, and international transfers in a single application. Its convenience has made it especially popular among international students, many of whom can handle routine financial matters without visiting a bank branch.

FOOD & DELIVERY

Baemin & Coupang Eats (배달의민족 / 쿠팡이츠)

Food delivery is a major part of daily life in Korea, and Baemin and Coupang Eats are the two most popular platforms. Baemin offers the largest restaurant selection and includes B-Mart, a grocery and household delivery service. Coupang Eats is often preferred for its fast delivery and frequent promotions. Both apps regularly offer coupons that help reduce delivery costs.

Coupang (쿠팡)

Often described as Korea's version of Amazon, Coupang is the country's leading online shopping platform. Through its Rocket Delivery service, household items, school supplies, and other necessities frequently arrive within a day, making it especially useful for students moving into new housing.

GETTING AROUND

Naver Map (네이버 지도)

While many newcomers expect to rely on Google Maps, Naver Map generally provides more accurate navigation within Korea. It offers real-time transit information, walking directions, and detailed subway guidance, including the best train car for transfers and exits.

Papago (파파고)

Papago is one of the most reliable translation tools for Korean. Its camera translation and conversation features are particularly useful for reading menus, signs, official documents, and communicating in everyday situations.

Kakao T (카카오 T)

Kakao T is Korea's standard taxi-hailing app. It allows users to book rides, save destinations, and avoid language difficulties when giving directions. It is especially useful for airport trips, late-night travel, and bad weather.

Korail Talk (코레일톡)

Korail Talk allows users to book KTX and other intercity train tickets directly from their phones. It is a useful app for weekend trips, although tickets during holidays and peak travel periods often sell out quickly.

CAMPUS LIFE

Everytime (에브리타임)

Everytime is one of Korea's most popular student platforms. Students use it to build class schedules, read course reviews, buy and sell textbooks, and participate in anonymous campus discussions. It is particularly helpful during course registration periods.

Kimgwaoe (김과외)

Kimgwaoe is Korea's largest tutoring marketplace. It connects students with tutors across academic subjects, language learning, and test preparation. The platform is also commonly used by international students seeking tutoring-related part-time work.

GETTING SET UP

Many of these apps are connected through Korea's registration system. A Korean phone number, Alien Registration Card, and local bank account are often required to unlock their full functionality. Although the setup process can be time-consuming during the first weeks of the semester, completing it early makes daily life in Korea much easier.

For many international students, learning how to use these apps is almost as important as learning how to navigate the city itself.