16 Must-Have Local Korean Apps (2020 Update)
In previous section, we’ve listed up widely used apps in 14 categories. For those who may have overwhelmed by the amount and Korean language, we’ve assorted so-called ‘must-have’ apps.
In this section, we’ve selected 16 must-download local Korean apps that you will be downloading eventually during your stay in Korea. Here, we are not just going to list them up, instead we are going to give detailed informations on how to use them and what functions each app has. Check out the table below and see what you are missing!
Navigation Apps
Naver Map (English version serviced)
Naver Map works the same way as Google Map does, but having more precise information and data for Korea. If you are familiar with Google, you wouldn’t have problem using the Naver Map. This is how the interface looks like and how it works.
Kakao Metro/ Kakao Bus (English version serviced)
Think of Kakao Metro and Bus as ‘Citymapper’ in Korea, anyone who uses public transportation uses these app here. Below are the interface and details on how to use them.
- Kakao Metro
- Kakao Bus
- Kakao Taxi (English version serviced)
Taking taxies are not the best option in Korea in general for typical scammings like taking detours, rejecting short distance drives, often being rude to passengers. To minimize these kind of scams, people prefer to use Kakao Taxi, its service is identical to Uber, but only operated by taxies. For Uber, Lyft or any kind of car sharing platforms, they are not allowed in Korea for legal disputes.
Accommodation Apps
As mentioned on the previous section, for traveling matters and finding good hotels, we use the same apps as the other parts of the world. But, here, we have special apps for certain types of accommodations like motels or hotel-like motels. People mainly use to make reservation for rooms just for couple of hours, maximum of 4–5hours.
Yanolja_야놀자 (no English version)/ Yeogieotte_여기어때(English version serviced)
Yanolja is the front-runner for booking motels. Though it does not have English version, you can use it by just knowing simple Korean words or its mechanism.
For Yeogiotte, it’s the second leading motel booking app and it has English Version. Since these two apps are almost identical, you just need to know one of them to figure out how they work. Here, we took Yanolja as the reference.
Food Apps
Food apps mainly used in Korea are delivery apps. There’s almost no one who does not have delivery app in their cell phones nowadays. The charges are quite affordable, ranging about 1,000–2,000won (0.8–1.7USD) per delivery. We Uber Eats isn’t widely used here, instead mainly use local apps listed below.
Baemin_배달의 민족 (no English version)/ Yogiyo_요기요(English version serviced)
The app holding the biggest share in the market, literally taking more than 70%, is ‘Baemin’ and the second biggest one is ‘Yogiyo’, if you are familiar with Delivery Hero, that’s where this app’s from.
Here, we took ‘Baemin’ as the reference, though it only has Korean Version, the UX/UI is very simple, you’ll soon be able to get used to it!
Translation App
- Papago (English version serviced)
Korean is a lot different from other languages. Its distinctive alphabets makes non- Koreans get confused and lost, if they don’t know any. A lot of locals do speak English here but if you go to suburbs, it’s very likely that you wouldn’t find much. You are going to need a translator sooner or later.
However, Google translator isn’t the best option. Most of the time, it does not translate the sentences right, misleading the communication and dragging to even deeper confusion. It’s best to use local translator called ‘Papago’, developed by Korean Google, ‘Naver’. At least when it gets to translating Korean, Papago is almost always accurate.
The app has four different ways of translating; just typing in words, speaking, having conversation and translating captured writings. Check how they work each and respectively from below.
Rent Apps
Dabang_다방/ Zigbang_직방 ( Both English version serviced)
Koreans no longer look for rents or houses on site straight away, they check the locations and conditions by app and contact the real estate agent. This way you already know what you are looking for in advance and time efficient, not needing to check out houses or rent that does not match your standards.
Though there are potential danger of photo scams, we’ve listed a way to avoid them, check out blow.Here, we took Dabang as a reference, since both apps are almost identical, knowing one can help you use both.
Finance Apps
It has become an habit many Koreans don’t bother to carry around not just cash but also their wallets, wallets have become rather accessories than of their practical use. Smart phones have become more crucial, also playing role as a wallet. Check out the apps made this possible.
Toss (English version serviced)
‘Toss’ is known as the pioneer of making account transfer so handy. Before people had to log in to their bank’s app and verify all the time or had to go to ATM to make transfers which also costs commissions depending on what bank you are sending. But Toss made all that unnecessary, you just need to verify once when you are first registering your card and after that you just need to type in password or fingerprints when you need to make transfers, where you get 10 transfers free of charge each month. They also let you gather up all your bank data when you verify.
Now, let’s check out how it works. Here, we are just going to focus on how to send money and keeping track of your cash flow.
Kakao Pay (English version serviced)
Also widely used since it’s linked to Kakao Talk, the Korean What’s App, making it extra convenient when you are transferring cash to split bills and being linked to all kinds of apps and platforms.
Samsung Pay (English version serviced)
This is only available for Samsung Galaxy users, like the Apple Pay, we have Samsung Pay. While Apple Pay does not have much affiliated stores, Samsung Pay is widely accepted, almost everywhere. This is one of the reason why people don’t carry around their wallets. If you are one of Galaxy user, why not give it a try, it’s whole new level of convenience!
E-Commerce App
Coupang (no English version)
For something to success in Korea, it need to be fast and convenient, that’s the whole point of the E-commerce. Though we have a lot of E-commerce platforms, there’s one app that people depend on so much. It’s never too much to say, life can divide into two period, life before ‘Coupang’ and after ‘Coupang’. ‘Coupang’ has given us so much convenience.
When you buy anything falls into ‘Rocket’ category, the package arrives the next day. Let’s say, you bought some ramen at 23:59, it still arrives the next day. Even for the fresh food, if you order before 11pm, the package arrives before 7 am. It’s crazy, some people even get addicted to it. If you subscribe ‘the Rocket’ membership of 2,900won(2.4USD) per month, you get unlimited access to free deliveries. If interested check out the details blow for how it works!
Social Networking App
Kakao Talk (English version serviced)
When there’s What’s App all the other part of the world, here we have Kakao Talk. Everyone has their Kakao, it has become part of our lives. If you are planning to stay in Korea for somewhat time, downloading the app is a must.
You can add friends by your friend’s Kakao ID, QR code or phone number. Other than this, you can make your own chat room with friends and also join something called ‘Open Chatroom’, which allows you to communicated with group of people who share the same interest of any kind, since this is totally under anonymity, the members can’t see your profile or add you as friend and vice versa.
Moreover, Kakao Talk allows you to buy and send gifts via app. Since it’s linked to Kakao Pay, sending money to banks or other accounts and making payments are also possible. However, these functions could be facilitated if you have Korean bank account and phone numbers otherwise you might have to just be satisfied with basic functions.
One another thing, their cute character based emoticons are what allures people too, they even have online, offline shops for them. Make the best out of this app!
Regardless of where you speak Korean or not, now you have the full idea of how to use these 16 must-have local Korean apps! One thing to remember is that except for ‘Naviagation App, excluding Kakao Taxi, you need Korean cell phone number to verify. Also, if any of these apps relates registering bank account or card, they need to be Korean one.
Thanks for reading this article and leave any comments if you have any questions. To get more latest information or tips on living in Korea, be sure to follow our ADAPKO channel or Facebook. We will continuously be providing useful informations and articles.
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