Messaging has become a daily need for almost everyone. It’s something that we can’t forget, and we can’t live without it anymore. Messaging has become such a huge part of our life, and it just keeps improving more and more every day.
Even if you don’t use WhatsApp yourself, there are many different apps like iMessage and Telegram. Those are just two examples of many more. The majority of people in Korea use two apps KakaoTalk and Line.
If you haven’t heard about these, that’s normal cause not many people in the US use these apps unless you’re from Korea yourself.
Is WhatsApp Allowed In South Korea?
Yes, WhatsApp is allowed in South Korea, it might be banned in some other countries, but most of the world’s countries allow WhatsApp. It’s safe and easy to use for every age. Another plus is that they have an encrypted feature to keep the messages safe.
WhatsApp isn’t that popular among the locals in Korea. Most people in Korea that use the app are from western countries that have already been using the app. There’s no reason for you to use WhatsApp over there if almost no one uses it other than your western friends.
What Apps Do Korean Use?
There are two main apps that people use for sending messages, KakaoTalk and Line. Surely, there are some others, but those aren’t very popular at the moment.
KakaoTalk is a free messaging app, and the release date was on March 18th, 2010. As you can see, the app has been around for a very long time, and it’s still one of the biggest ones people use.
A great feature KakaoTalk has the emojis, those are unique, and almost all other apps don’t have these. The other app is Line, which is often used for calls and messages. It works the same as KakaoTalk but from a different company.
If you haven’t tried these apps yourself, you can install them from the Appstore and give them a try. Make sure to set the language to English.
What Is The Most Popular SNS In Korea?
SNS means Social Network Service. If you ask someone in the US, they probably won’t know what it is but in Korea, and everyone calls it SNS. It’s easy to pronounce and remember.
The most popular SNS apps used in Korea are Facebook, KakaoTalk, and YouTube. As you can see, those three apps aren’t all of them. Here below is a list of the
The 10 most popular SNS apps used in South Korea.
- KakaoTalk
- Kakao Story
- Naver Band
- YouTube
- Naver Café
- Line
- Daum Café
Those apps listed above you’ve probably never heard of some, but that’s normal because only countries in Asia use those a lot. Apps like Snapchat aren’t that big in Korea because they focus their marketing towards western countries instead of Asia.
Where Can I Buy a SIM Card In Korea?
SIM Cards are available almost everywhere in Korea; you buy them offline in convenience stores, retailers, and airports. Just ask around, and you’ll find a store easily. Another way many people buy SIM Cards is just by going online and ordering them.
When I visited Korea, I did buy them at the airport, and as soon as I got to my hotel, I ordered one online. That was way cheaper, and I got unlimited data for around $55, which is a pretty good deal.
If you ever plan to visit Korea, make sure to get an unlimited plan because most people who visit use their phones a lot. If you don’t have an internet connection everywhere you go. it’s pretty hard to find some good restaurants
I used Google Maps a lot to find some good restaurants nearby, surely you can find this without an internet connection, but I just felt more secure.
How Much Does A SIM Card Cost In Korea?
Generally speaking, a SIM Card costs anywhere from $5 to $10 depending on the store you buy it from. The easiest way to get a cheap SIM Card is by ordering it online or asking a local where you can buy it.
Locals normally know a lot about the place and can easily help you find the best SIM Card. A friend of mine did that, and he got a SIM Card for around $3 to $4, which is pretty cheap.
Is Wi-Fi Free In Korea?
Yes, most stores have free Wi-Fi in Korea. However, it’s always best to use your data because that’s more secure and easier. South Korea is known to have extremely fast internet, and you should use that while you’re in Korea.
The majority of stores have free Wi-Fi, but you often need to ask for the password. In my opinion, it’s just easier to use your data if you can afford it. Most people that are going to Korea have a budget and don’t want to overspend.
That’s understandable, and you should make a budget when visiting any country. You don’t have to worry about being ripped off because South Korea is a very friendly country towards foreigners.
Related Article:
Is South Korea Expensive And How Much Do You Need?
Why Do Koreans Look So Young?
Are Koreans Looked Down on in Korea?
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, I hope you’ve found the information you were looking for. You might know now that WhatsApp is available in Korea, but most people use KakaoTalk, which is the same as WhatsApp but just a different app.
There are many other apps, too, like KakaoStory, Line, and Band. Those are just some popular apps many people use, and you can be installing them yourself if you’re interested in trying them out.
