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| 7 Essential Apps for Living in Korea (2025 Edition – My Daily Must-Haves) |
Moving to Korea can feel overwhelming at first—different language, unfamiliar systems, and so many new things to figure out. When I first arrived, I relied on a few simple apps to make everyday life easier, smoother, and honestly, a little more fun.
Here are 7 apps I personally use and truly recommend for anyone settling into life in Korea.
1. KakaoTalk (Messaging & More)
This is Korea’s go-to messenger app. Everyone from friends to banks uses it to contact you. You’ll need it for chatting, making reservations, and even logging into other apps. Tip: Set your profile with your real name and photo—it’s often used in schools and workplaces. 📱 |
2. Naver Map & Kakao Map (Navigation)
When I travel abroad, I rely on Google Maps all the time. Whether I’m walking through the alleys of Tokyo, Amsterdam, or Brussels, it works beautifully. But in Seoul—or anywhere in Korea—Google Maps just doesn’t seem to work as well. Maybe it’s the complex public transit system (with all its buses, subways, and taxis) that it struggles to fully cover.
In Korea, Naver Map is a solid choice for walking routes. I love that I can preview the path using satellite view, and follow a big blue arrow step-by-step by tapping the screen. It’s especially helpful when navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Kakao Map is another great alternative. It connects directly with Kakao T (Kakao Taxi), which is honestly a lifesaver. Once you register a payment method, the whole process becomes seamless—no need to explain your destination in Korean or discuss the fare. You just hop in and hop out. Highly recommended. 📱 Naver Map – | 📱 Kakao Map – |
3. MiseMise (Air Quality)
Air pollution, especially fine dust (미세먼지), is a real concern in Korea—something I wasn’t used to before moving here. MiseMise is a simple and reliable app that shows real-time air quality levels in a super intuitive way.
It breaks the pollution levels into clear categories: 최고좋음 (Excellent), 좋음 (Good), 양호 (Fair), 보통 (Moderate), 나쁨 (Bad), 매우나쁨 (Very Bad), 최악 (Hazardous) Each level is color-coded: blue, light green, orange, scarlet, and black, so you can instantly know what kind of air you're breathing today—even without reading the numbers.
This app really helps me decide whether I need a mask or not before stepping outside. 📱 |
4. Papago (Translation)
Made by Naver, Papago handles Korean translations better than Google Translate in many cases. It’s great for menus, signs, and quick chats. Tip: The camera translation is a lifesaver when reading packaging or documents. 📱 |
5. Coupang Eats (Food Delivery)
I personally use Coupang Eats instead of Baemin. Why? A few practical reasons:
If you already use Coupang, you don’t need a separate signup—your Coupang account works right away.
Payment information is already saved, so no extra setup is needed.
If you're a Rocket Wow member, many delivery fees are waived.
Since Coupang Eats is a newer competitor, there are often more discount coupons and promo deals available.
The app also has a clean, photo-based layout that makes it easier to browse and order, even if you don’t read Korean well. For me, it just feels simpler and more rewarding. 📱 |
6. Coupang (Shopping & Daily Essentials)
Coupang is like Amazon, but faster. Coupang offers what they call “next-morning delivery,” but honestly? It’s often much faster. I’ve had things arrive at 5 a.m.—and sometimes even the night before, around 11 or midnight. It still amazes me every time. Tip: Make a free account and explore “Rocket Delivery” items for super-fast service. 📱 |
If you’re staying in Korea for a month or more, but not long enough to sign a full-year lease, 33M2 is a great option.
It’s a short-term rental platform that offers furnished studio apartments in convenient locations around Seoul. What I like about it is that everything is simple—no Korean phone number required, no realtor, no long-term commitment. You can book online in English, see real pictures, and even pay by credit card.
Whether you’re a student, remote worker, or just between housing, 33M2 gives you that rare balance of comfort and flexibility. Some units even include cleaning services or laundry, which is a huge plus when you're adjusting to life here.
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