Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram can be fun, but when you need reliable, practical, and detailed information about living in Korea, those quick videos often fall short. That’s where blogs come in.
Despite all the changes in digital media, blogs remain one of the best tools for foreigners in Korea—whether you’re planning a trip, moving for work or study, or just curious about Korean culture. They provide depth, context, and personal experience that bite-sized content can’t match.
In 2025, blogs are still thriving in Korea because they serve a unique purpose: they act as curated guides to real life. While algorithms push endless content at you, blogs let you search, learn, and revisit what you need, when you need it.
Why Blogs Still Matter in the Social Media Era
You might ask: Why read blogs when I can just watch a YouTube vlog or scroll TikTok? The answer is simple: blogs give you control, clarity, and context.
- Depth over speed
- A 30-second TikTok can show you a street food stall. A blog post can explain the history of the dish, prices, regional variations, and even recipes.
- Searchability and archiving
- Google and Naver index blogs, making them easy to find later. Try searching for “how to get a SIM card in Korea” or “sending money abroad from Korea”—blogs almost always show up first.
- Personal perspective
- Bloggers often write from lived experience, sharing mistakes and insights you won’t find in guidebooks or official sites.
- Reliability when it counts
- Government or established media blogs provide verified details—essential for visa rules, policy updates, or health-related information.
Bottom line: blogs combine the personal with the practical—a winning formula for anyone navigating Korea.
The Best Blogs About Life in Korea (2025 Edition)
Here’s a curated list of must-read Korea blogs for 2025. We’ve included a mix of official sources, expat voices, and niche specialists.
1. Korea.net (Official Blog)
- What to Expect: Culture, heritage, policy updates, and official news.
- Why It’s Great: Trustworthy and accurate—perfect when you need verified info on national events, visa rules, or cultural history.
2. The Korea Herald — Life & Culture Section
- What to Expect: Timely articles on exhibitions, K-pop, lifestyle trends, and social changes.
- Why It’s Great: A newsroom perspective with depth and professional research.
3. My Korean Kitchen
- What to Expect: Authentic yet practical Korean recipes designed for international kitchens.
- Why It’s Great: Ingredient substitutions and step-by-step guides make Korean cooking accessible worldwide.
4. In My Korea
- What to Expect: Travel guides, expat advice, and cultural breakdowns.
- Why It’s Great: Clear, straightforward writing that helps you with everything from subway apps to weekend trips.
5. Modern Seoul
- What to Expect: A mix of lifestyle notes, football coverage, and personal reflections.
- Why It’s Great: Provides a slice-of-life view of Korea beyond tourist hotspots.
6. Seoul Searching
- What to Expect: Personal yet practical stories about moving, dating, working, and studying in Korea.
- Why It’s Great: Honest, relatable advice from someone who’s been there.
7. K-Beauty Journal (Indie)
- What to Expect: Ingredient breakdowns, skincare routines, and beauty shopping guides.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for anyone navigating Korea’s massive skincare and cosmetics scene.
8. KoFlavours (👋 That’s Us)
- What to Expect: Practical expat survival guides—housing, apps, etiquette, food, money transfers, Learning Korean, and daily hacks.
- Why It’s Great: Zero fluff, all utility. Focused on making your life in Korea easier.
Bonus Discovery Channels
If you’re hungry for more, here are other places where great Korea-related writing lives:
- Naver Blog & Post: A goldmine of Korean-language content. Excellent for intermediate learners.
- Medium (Korea tags): Essays, think pieces, and cultural analyses by global writers.
- Reddit communities: r/korea and r/korean provide Q&A, crowdsourced advice, and debates.
How to Use Blogs Effectively
Reading blogs casually is fine, but to really benefit, treat them like a digital toolbox.
- Set a monthly reading rotation
- Pick 3–4 blogs from different categories (official, expat, niche). Rotate monthly so you get balanced perspectives.
- Save content to a notes app
- Copy useful tips (like SIM card instructions or money transfer hacks) into your notes. That way, you don’t lose them in endless bookmarks.
- Turn guides into action lists
- Convert advice into checklists. Example: “Steps for getting an ARC” → checklist on your phone.
- Compare multiple sources
- Always cross-check. An expat blog gives you practical hacks, but an official site confirms the legal rules.
Keep It Fresh: A Habit That Pays Off
Many expats feel overwhelmed during their first few months in Korea—banks, phones, housing, language barriers. By making blog-reading a regular habit, you stay ahead.
- Save one Saturday morning a month to catch up on your favorite blogs.
- Update your notes app with new checklists or insights.
- Share with friends—recommend blogs to other newcomers. You’ll save them hours of stress.
Think of it as building your own Korea playbook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Are blogs more reliable than YouTube for Korea info?
Not always, but blogs are better for detail. YouTube is great for visuals, but blogs provide step-by-step instructions and written references you can return to.
Q2. Do Koreans actually read blogs, or is it just foreigners?
Both! Koreans heavily use Naver Blog for reviews, recipes, and local info. Foreigners lean toward English-language blogs for survival guides.
Q3. Can I trust expat blogs?
Generally, yes, but always cross-check with official sources. Expats are great for practical “this is what worked for me” insights, but rules (like visas or banking) can change.
Q4. What’s the best way to find Korean blogs?
Start with Google searches like “best Korea blogs 2025,” “living in Seoul expat blog,” or “Korean cooking blog.” For Korean-language blogs, use Naver search.
Q5. How can I start my own Korean blog?
Platforms like Tistory, Naver Blog, WordPress, or Medium are popular. If you’re consistent, your blog can also earn through Google AdSense.
Conclusion
In 2025, blogs will remain one of the most reliable and practical ways to learn about Korea. Social media may dominate your daily scroll, but when you need structured, accurate, and personal guidance, blogs are still unmatched.
Whether it’s an official government site, a recipe blog, or a personal expat diary, each adds a different piece to the puzzle of understanding Korea.
👉 Action step: Bookmark 2–3 of the blogs listed above, set a reminder to check them once a month, and start building your personal Korea survival guide.
Your future self—less stressed, more informed, and more confident in daily life—will thank you.