So you’ve booked your trip to Korea. Or maybe, as you’re reading this, you’re on the plane wondering about what apps you should download once you arrive. I know I certainly did—and I wished someone would have given me some recommendations back then.
Here are three necessary apps to download on your smartphone to make your time in South Korea much smoother. (Although South Korea is, for the most part, hilly.)
Kakao Talk
If you’ve never heard of Kakao Talk, you’ll see it everywhere once you’re in Korea. This is the most popular messaging app in South Korea. It’s the equivalent of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, LINE, etc. Almost everyone has it—yes, even the Ahjussi and Ajumma. This app allows you to text and make calls with friends and close contacts.
Once you sign up with an email and create an ID, you can add others. It’s that simple. If you’re hoping to make friends while you’re in Korea, this app is the first step to connecting with others and maintaining long-term relationships. From my experience, I’ve found that asking people for their Kakao is a great way to befriend people.
Naver Map
Back at home, Google Maps was my most trusted navigator. Now that I’m in Korea, Naver Map is my new savior. This app will take you to all the places you want to go and show you exactly how to get to your favorite café or restaurant. Korea has a well-organized transportation system, and Naver Map will assist you in using it all. Whether you want to take the bus, subway, or taxi, Naver Map gives you all the possible routes to your destination.
Not only that, but if you take the bus or subway, it gives you step-by-step instructions, which is perfect for foreigners unfamiliar with the system. It includes the specific line station you need to take, transfer, or get off. When I first started using the subway, I made sure to go with friends while using this app, which made my experience less overwhelming. Over time, it becomes as easy as reading directions. My favorite feature of this app is that you can “star” or save places on your map after creating an account.
Seongsu Jegwa Bakery
Papago
If you’re like me and you’re not someone who has studied Korean for years prior, as was the case for some of my friends, then you need this app. Even if you’re fluent in Korean, Papago is nice to have as a supplement. It allows you to speak using the microphone and actively translates various languages, such as English to Korean, and vice versa. You can type any language as well, and it includes a dictionary.
My favorite and most used feature of this app is the camera. You can take pictures or upload images from your camera roll containing any text in any language, and it will automatically translate it. I use this feature frequently when I’m out in public reading signs or food menus in Korean or whenever I want to communicate with a local.
Myeongdong Walking Street
These are the top three apps I have found most useful during my time in South Korea. I hope they’ll help you during your stay, too!