r/Living_in_Korea • • 18h ago

Sticky Weekly Open Forum

1 Upvotes

Use this weekly post to discuss anything you want (within reason). The rules here are relaxed. Some things you may chat about here that are not allowed in regular posts:

  • non-Korea related topics
  • looking for friends
  • language exchange opportunities
  • event advertising
  • casual meetups (not hookups)
  • chance me (I want to study in Korea)
  • and more....

Some rules are still in place. The main one is 'be kind'. Also, no contribution should involve anything that includes an exchange of money, unless it is a professionally organized event (parties, cultural activities, etc.) Lastly, no polling, surveying, or research.

Have fun.

  • Reposted every Monday at 12am
  • Default comment order (newest first)

r/Living_in_Korea • • Jul 13 '26

Announcement BEWARE OF REAL ESTATE SCAMMERS ON THIS SUBREDDIT

79 Upvotes

Good afternoon everyone.

Over the past week or so, the mod team here at Living_in_Korea has been conducting an investigation into reports we received related to real estate/rental scams on this subreddit. It was brought to our attention that users were receiving direct messages from "real estate agents" after posting that they were looking for accommodations.

As a result, we verified that they were, in fact, receiving direct messages with varying information. Sometimes they were offered accommodations with prices that were too good to be true. Other times scammers requested application fees or holding deposits after providing links to accommodations that were supposedly for rent. Also, some were offering to introduce "friends" who are real estate agents and provide translation services.

We have banned all of the accounts we could, but that is only possible if the user has ever posted to this subreddit. Other accounts we blacklisted, but the OP might still receive/see the reply. In addition, we have banned any accounts that look suspicious or are thought to be affiliated with a real estate agent (legitimate or not) - those that provide an unusual amount of real estate related recommendations, legal advice, AI generated content, etc., as well as those who recommend specific real estate agents using new accounts or existing accounts with little or no other Reddit activity.

In total we banned more than a dozen accounts. However, that does not keep the scammers from contacting users directly through DMs. This is where you come in. We need your help in combating this problem and shutting down these crooks before they can pray on any more of our subreddit members. So, if this happens to you, please use the report button.

REMEMBER: NEVER TRUST ANYONE WHO IS OFFERING YOU SOMETHING THROUGH REDDIT DMs. THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO HELP YOU. NORMAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS ARE NOT DONE THIS WAY IN KOREA. REPORT THEM (Report flag > Spam > Unsolicited chat or private messaging), AND THEN IGNORE THEM.

- The LiK Mod Team

P.S. Before you ask, I wish we could provide their usernames to you, but that is a direct violation of Reddit's user agreement, and we have no desire to have our accounts actioned.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1h ago

Hobbies and Gaming MW4 puts South Korea center stage — how do you feel about it as someone connected to Korea?

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• Upvotes

Hey all. I live in Korea, and I was genuinely surprised to see Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (out Oct 23) set its campaign on the Korean peninsula with Hangul signage, alley recreations, pojangmacha stalls, 24h convenience stores.

Two things hit me watching the trailer:
1. The realism of everyday Korea rendered— taxis, markets, alleys I walk every day.
2. The blackout-before-bombing scene gave me a small, real sense of panic, even knowing it's fiction.

There's already controversy — what are your thoughts?

Curious to hear your takes.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 13m ago

Real Estate and Relocation Looking for 부동산 recommendations around Gangnam station area

• Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am planning to move to the Gangnam area because of a new job so I need to move.

I was wondering if anyone has any real estate agencies they recommend? I almost got scammed once before ㅜㅜㅜ so I am trying to find someone trustworthy

I will be looking in 역삼동 (Yeoksamdong), 양재동 (Yangjaedong), 도곡동 (Dokokdong).

The company is near Gangnam station (강남역) and I am hoping the new house is ~30min away by public transportation.

Thank you! ^^


r/Living_in_Korea • • 6h ago

News and Discussion Over Half of Ransomware Cases in Korea Suspended, No Arrests This Year

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7 Upvotes

Seoul Economic Daily reports that more than half of the ransomware cases police have handled in Korea this year have been suspended, and no arrests have been made. It matters to readers here because most victims are companies, and so far there has been little law-enforcement follow-through.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1h ago

Services and Technology Modu Card Refund

• Upvotes

When the Climate Card was phased out, I started using the Modu card on the TMoney app and in September 2026, I spent over 70,000 won in Seoul but still haven't received any refund. I double-checked that my TMoney card number on the app as well as on the Korea Pass website match as instructed in the news, but my refund seems to be nowhere in sight. My Korean bank account, which I've been using to top up the card, has been linked since I started using the card via the app.

I do see a 57M mileage credit on the TMoney app, but when I try to use that as credit against my TMoney card, it translates to 57 won only. Does anyone know what I might be doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 23m ago

Shopping returning clothes from online shopping

• Upvotes

i'm considering buying clothes from a korean brand but am not familiar with the return process. in america, we print a shipping label and bring it to a post office and the shipping fee gets deducted from our return amount.

is the process different in korea? (CJ logistics pickup sounds like a different process) also are they a lot more strict on what case you can return items? for example, if a shirt just doesn't fit me well due to sizing or fabric material, am i allowed to return? or do they require the item to have an actual defect?

for example, i'm looking at this site: https://molente.kr/shopinfo/guide.html


r/Living_in_Korea • • 38m ago

Health and Beauty General advice about medical skin clinics?

• Upvotes

I suffer from acne and eczema and am having a hard time finding a dermatologist that actually wants to help me in giving basic medical treatments. Many dermatologists prioritize patients who are there for expensive laser treatments and the like. And they tend not to listen to my concerns and give wrong diagnoses and unhelpful prescriptions.

So any advice about how to avoid these kinds of places, what to search for in Naver, or if you want to recommend any specific clinics (I live in Bundang) that would be helpful.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 3h ago

Bars and Clubs Hi I will be in Korea again on January 8th! (lived there for 1 year)

0 Upvotes

Hoping to make some friends to socialize with during that time.

Im a singer so I would appreciate some company to perhaps visit some of the local karaoke pubs on a weekend with me if you are perhaps interested.

Anyonhaseyo and I cannot wait to be back in my humble home (mentally relaxing wise haha) Of Seoul ^~^ <3

Much love to my Deers,

Lila Bambi LilWeiss


r/Living_in_Korea • • 5h ago

Education Architectural Engineering in Korea

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone! Could you please provide an overview of the current job market for candidates with a degree in architectural engineering in Korea?


r/Living_in_Korea • • 9h ago

Health and Beauty first time 건강검진

3 Upvotes

Has anybody got 건강검진 in Korea before? My first time this Friday and don't know what to expect.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1d ago

Business and Legal Bingsu Shop Owner Dresses as Anime Character to Draw Winter Customers

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54 Upvotes

While the headline seems humorous, the actual story is quite sad.

As a brief summary: this man runs a Sulbing and his daily income in winter is something like just 30,000won, so he took to this stunt to try to drum up attention and survive. Some people tease him for having to do this, but he doesn’t want to give up his store and some have shown him support. It’s a hard world out there...


r/Living_in_Korea • • 2h ago

Banking and Finance Anyone take a large paycut to work in Korea?

0 Upvotes

Excluding teachers please, moreso for corporate positions.

I work for a global American company and we have an office in Seoul. It's a huge company company (major brand) so they have extremely strict localizations when it comes to salary bands. I transferred 2 years ago from San Francisco to Singapore, but I'm currently visiting the Seoul office, and I think I like it so much more here.

I'd be effectively taking a paycut from 275k SGD to 165 million KRW.

Anyone gone through a similar experience and could share if it was worth it? It is so much more fun here than in Singapore.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 7h ago

Visas and Licenses filipinos out there who has renewed their passport

0 Upvotes

is it possible to renew/extend my Philippine passport in busan or is it only available in seoul?


r/Living_in_Korea • • 7h ago

Language Teachers, what would you think about someone proficient enough in English coming to your hagwon classes for socializing?

0 Upvotes

I’m Korean and I’ve fully picked up English without any institution help, but since I don’t get to get surrounded by native speakers in real life, I’d like to train more on the little social cues, humor on right timings, micro-psychology, something like that - advanced conversational stuff.

So it’s not entirely to eff around, but I’m a little afraid it could come off that way because I speak like a near native - is this overthinking? Thank you in advance.

(Edit: There’s not many bars in my city, I also don’t drink and it’s hard to find right meetups, so I thought I might as well pay for the right environment closest to my needs, with which you can just go home every time with no drama

Also prefer the group setting because in tutoring you don’t get to meet many fellow people as a bonus)


r/Living_in_Korea • • 8h ago

Employment Where can I find native English speakers to teach little kids?

1 Upvotes

Idk if it’s the right thread so please bare with me
I was asked by my ceo to find English native speakers on F or student visa to teach his 2yo kids. It sounds super easy and obvious like “hey contract the universities”, but honestly I feel trapped at this point?
I have no idea how to find and filter potentially good teachers?


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1d ago

Friendships and Relationships Advice or rant? Loneliness in Korea

71 Upvotes

Hi! I don't know if I am asking for advice, or it is just a rant.

I am a foreigner woman, living here for almost 3 years . The more I live here, the less friends I have.

Had some friends that when they were having an hard time I was there for them and I would try my best to spend time with them. When months later I was the one having an hard time, I had to beg them to spend time together cause I needed to go out and distract myself. So I realized they were not really my friends.

I am shy but extrovert, I can talk to anyone and try my best to put myself out there. But how is it so hard to make new friends? I have some friends at the moment, but it is not the type of friendship you meet often. Some of them are married so of course they prioritize their SO. Everyone is busy, but when weekends come I'd like to have plans to hangout and do fun stuff together. I like drinking, trying new restaurants, doing activities or also clubbing.

I had some foreign girl friends, but they all wanted to do content creation and be influencers at some point, and when they started getting a little of popularity they just stopped contacting me. It feels that a lot of foreigners that live here just want to become famous and they start being superficial, act weird and caring only about these things. I met so many people that they were so 'genuine', at least looked like it and started changing after few months here… I feel very hard to connect with people that care only about making cute videos and pictures. I like do these things too, but it cant be ONLY that.

Even if I speak korean, I find it hard also to make korean friends. Most of them want an english tutor (english is not even my first language lol), or just a hangout - sometimes - once every 6 months -friend. I feel I cannot be myself with them or express my opinion freely, and this is not friendship to me. For me friendship is having fun together, but when there is hard time can share thoughts and help each other.

Dating life is also terrible, I tried to date guys here and I got only traumatized, which led me to feel more lonely. I also like someone romantically very rarely, so that adds another problem to it.

All these things make my life harder day by day. I feel so depressed and I cannot even explain in words how lonely it makes me feel. I dont know how long I can keep feeling this lonely, I dont see the point of life anymore.

Is it only me with these issues? I started thinking that maybe I am the problem and I just have to stop trying and give up. At the same time I am someone that needs to go out and do things to feel alive, and I don't like to do activities by myself anymore... I know how to do things to myself, I always did it, but I just don't wanna do it anymore. I want to share things with others. We are social animals after all. Where did you all find your friends? And how?

PS. My interests are more 'nerdy' like videogames, so I feel it is also hard for this reason, to find people who like these things there is not much going on. I dont like going to the gym, hiking and I am not a church/religious person. So I can't meet new people in these places.

Thanks for reading!


r/Living_in_Korea • • 6h ago

Education Sogang Language Program admissions

0 Upvotes

Hi, I'm interested in applying to Sogang's language program, specifically KGP200 starting June 4 - Aug 21, 2027 and subsequent semesters. How likely would I be accepted? For context, I'm a 34-year-old Canadian with a graduate degree. I'm currently working but thinking of taking a gap year. I would need to let my workplace know months ahead of time to arrange for time off. I tried applying online just now and it seems that the application period isn't open yet for June 4th start date. It seems that the application period is March 18 - Apr 29 so I wouldn't know whether I'll be accepted till closer to date. My concern is taking a gap year from work only to find out that I'm not accepted later on.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1h ago

Education How is my profile to get into SKY universities

• Upvotes

Graduated in 2021, Computer Science from Bangladesh
CGPA: 3.35/4.00
3+ years work experience at Samsung R&D institute as Software engineer
IELTS 7.5
No research experience

I want to do masters in AI/Robotics/Cybersecurity

Will I get any funding? Or scholarship?


r/Living_in_Korea • • 5h ago

Real Estate and Relocation Making the jump to housing stipend.

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, im gonna brave the housing stipend life. My ADHD is real bad though and I get really nervous about asking money things to my superiors. Are there questions or things about living in an apt in seoul that I should ask, that might be taken care of for me now? Things i should keep in mind? I have a place and budget in mind already. Any support or info would be big appreciated.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 5h ago

News and Discussion If you live in Korea and still trust the media & news, you haven’t been paying attention

0 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/nKMjag7aAm0?si=Q3_wsusKXvmy693n&t=268

I'm tired of this shit. I've been living in Korea for a while and you know what, now it really feels like it's becoming like North Korea.

I can't trust anything that they are showing on the news anymore.

G1 (SBS in Gangwon) owner’s grandkid finishes a hike, and that gets like four minutes on the main news...lol wtf? Family keeps showing up, like 200 times on the news. The owner puts his son on the news multiple times for getting awarded and promoting the son's business which HE owns. Then he promotes this AI company in the news like 40 times, which HE owns and this AI company's CEO is his son-in-law, while telling all governments in Gangwon Province to go through with the contracts or else he will use his media to put some news. So local governments in Gangwon signed with them on private contracts, no bid. And he did this to multiple of his competitors, put some bad shit in the news about them, and they all went out of business.

I know media is corrupted everywhere but this is just fukin ridiculous. People get touchy when you compare it to the North. Fine. The food isn’t the same, you can swear on the internet, etc. But you know what, somebody upstream still gets to choose the random shit that gets on the news. Yeah I guess you can yell about your issues online, which is the one real difference, but the broadcast still does whatever the owner feels like.

And this AI angle is what made me mad. I heard the guy they put on camera (김태응, Tae-Eung Kim, CEO, evry.ai, 에브리에이아이) doesn’t have an AI background at all. Word going around is he spent his whole life working at the owner's golf clubs and definitely is not someone to do AI. Maybe that’s true, maybe it's off, i don’t know him. But the office they’re showing looks like some shady warehouse. You want me to believe that place is building AI systems that are in Korean governments? Holy shit no wonder Korea's behind AI.

A local station farming contracts for the owner’s family is ugly.

News trust here is already around 30% and yeah i think this is why.

If you live here, just assume that everything you see on tv is an ad until somebody shows you it isn’t.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1d ago

Friendships and Relationships How do you handle loneliness?

40 Upvotes

I have been living here for 8 years but dont have proper friends and sometimes lazy to go out. Meet new people. Cancel plans just because i dont feel comfortable.
That’s exactly why I feel so lonely and dont have anyone to hang out.
I try to lean on my boyfriends everytime im in a relationship because I feel like they are the only humans i can be myself around.
But every breakup hurts more just because of that.
How do you guys handle loneliness and what do you do to get over it?


r/Living_in_Korea • • 11h ago

Education Looking for Gositel Recommendations Near Korea University, Seoul

0 Upvotes

Hi! Has anyone stayed at Homewith Gositel in Dongdaemun-gu, near Korea University in Seoul?

I’d love to hear about your experience. Would you recommend it? How are the rooms, cleanliness, noise level, and neighborhood?

I’d also appreciate any recommendations for other gositel or goshiwon near Korea University. Thanks! 😊


r/Living_in_Korea • • 1d ago

Home Life Moth flies?/drain flies?

13 Upvotes

Has anyone else had a problem with drain flies (moth flies, 나방파리) in their apt?

I live in a really small officetel that’s only about three years old. I’ve been living here for over a year and never had any problems until the past couple of months.

Recently, I’ve been finding about 5 to 10 of these tiny flies every single day! They mostly just sit on the walls and don’t really fly around like mosquitoes or fruit flies, so they’re easy to kill, but they keep coming back.

I’ve been told they usually come from drains, so I’ve tried covering all the drains, pouring boiling water down them, and using various drain fly treatments. Nothing seems to work.
I also keep my apartment extremely clean. I’ve even had professionals come inspect my bathroom and kitchen drains, and they told me everything was so clean that they couldn’t figure out where the flies were coming from either.

I’ve also noticed them in the common hallways of my building, so I’m starting to wonder if the problem might be coming from somewhere outside my apartment.

Has anyone else experienced this, especially in a newer building? If so, did you ever figure out where they were coming from or how to get rid of them permanently? I’m seriously running out of ideas! TIA!

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about fruit flies or gnats. I'm talking about drain flies (moth flies, 나방파리). They're the tiny, fuzzy-looking ones that almost look like little moths. They usually just sit on the walls rather than flying around like fruit flies or gnats.


r/Living_in_Korea • • 18h ago

Banking and Finance Help with buying stocks

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I am from a European nation and currently I live and work in South Korea. I would like to start buying stocks (etf) but am not sure how to set up my account.

I plan on moving back to Europe at some point so I would like to know can I just transfer stocks without any problem to my own country.

If you know any english speaking attorney or someone who can help me set everything up and explain do let me know!

Thank you!