When most people think of Korea, K-pop idols, hit K-dramas, and high-tech gadgets often come to mind. While these elements of modern Korean culture have gained global fame, everyday life in Korea is shaped by something more subtle: speed, systems, and etiquette.
If you’re moving to Korea for work, studies, or long-term travel, understanding how daily life works will help you adapt faster, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy your experience to the fullest. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical tips about money, food, transportation, apps, etiquette, and social culture. Whether you’re in bustling Seoul, dynamic Busan, or a quieter provincial city, these insights will help you feel at home.
1. Korea Is Nearly Cashless
Carrying a thick wallet is a thing of the past in Korea. Most transactions are digital, and even tiny food stalls or underground subway kiosks accept credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments.
Popular mobile pay services include:
- KakaoPay – Integrated with KakaoTalk (Korea’s dominant messaging app).
- Naver Pay – Convenient for online shopping and app-based payments.
- Samsung Pay – Widely supported thanks to Samsung’s dominance in the local smartphone market.
💡 Tip: Foreigners with local bank accounts can easily link cards to these apps. If you’re just visiting, international cards work in most places, but having a Korean debit card makes everyday life smoother.
2. Delivery Nation: Anything, Anytime
Korea has one of the fastest and most efficient delivery systems in the world. From fried chicken to fresh flowers, groceries to last-minute gifts, most items can arrive within an hour.
The big players in food delivery are:
- Baemin (배달의민족) – User-friendly, huge restaurant selection.
- Yogiyo (요기요) – Known for discounts and deals.
- Coupang Eats – One order per rider = faster delivery.
But it doesn’t stop at food. Many apps let you order medications, stationery, late-night snacks, and even beer straight to your door. And yes—your delivery driver might bring your order all the way to your apartment door, not just the lobby.
💡 Tip: Delivery apps are in Korean, but many offer English interfaces. Still, using Papago or Google Translate inside the app helps when menus aren’t translated.
3. The Rise of Self-Service Culture
Korea is famous for its efficiency-focused self-service culture. You’ll see this in restaurants, cafés, and even hospitals.
- Kiosks: Most casual eateries expect you to order at touchscreen kiosks.
- Water and side dishes: At Korean restaurants, you’ll often refill your own water and banchan (side dishes).
- Cafés: You order at the counter or kiosk, then wait for your number to be called.
This system cuts waiting times and reduces labor costs. For newcomers, it can feel unusual at first, but you’ll quickly appreciate the speed.
4. No Tipping in Korea
If you’re from a country where tipping is standard, you’ll need to adjust your mindset. Tipping is not part of Korean culture.
Service charges are already included in the price, and trying to tip can sometimes confuse staff. Instead, the best way to show appreciation is with polite words like “감사합니다” (thank you).
5. Convenience Stores: Mini Life Hubs
Korea’s convenience stores (편의점) are legendary. They’re more than just places to grab snacks.
Here’s what you can do at most convenience stores:
- Heat up full meals in-store using the provided microwaves.
- Buy and recharge transportation cards.
- Print or scan documents.
- Pick up simple medicines like cold tablets or pain relievers.
- Sit down and eat at tables, often with free Wi-Fi.
Chains like GS25, CU, and 7-Eleven are on nearly every street corner, and they’re open 24/7.
💡 Tip: Many ATMs inside convenience stores accept foreign cards, making them a lifeline for travelers.
6. Politeness Levels in Korean Language
One of the trickiest aspects of daily life in Korea is navigating the politeness levels in speech.
Korean has different ways of saying the same thing depending on the age, status, and relationship of the people involved.
For example:
- To elders, you’ll use polite endings like “-요” or “-습니다.”
- With close friends, you might drop endings and use casual speech.
As a newcomer, it’s safest to err on the polite side until you’re invited to speak more casually.
7. Recycling and Trash Rules
Waste disposal in Korea is tightly regulated. Each district enforces pay-per-bag systems for general trash.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Food waste: Must be separated into special bins.
- Recyclables: Plastics, paper, glass, and cans are separated.
- General trash: Requires district-approved bags you buy at convenience stores.
💡 Tip: If you live in an apartment, you’ll find designated recycling and waste zones. Learn the system early—it’s one of the most common sources of confusion for foreigners.
8. After-Hours Fun: Korea Never Sleeps
Korea has a thriving late-night culture. It’s common to head out after 10 p.m. and still find plenty to do.
Popular activities include:
- Noraebang (노래방) – Karaoke rooms where groups can sing their hearts out.
- PC방 (PC rooms) – Gaming cafés with high-speed internet and powerful PCs.
- Photo booths – Cute, decorated selfie booths with instant printouts.
- Late-night cafés – Many coffee shops stay open past midnight, perfect for students and night owls.
This late-night culture is deeply woven into social life, making it easy to meet friends after work or classes.
9. Essential Apps for Daily Life in Korea
Smartphone apps are the secret weapon to making life in Korea 10× easier.
Messaging & Payments
- KakaoTalk – The #1 app in Korea. Messaging, calls, group chats, and payments.
Translation
- Papago – Naver’s AI-powered translation app, excellent for Korean-English.
Navigation
- Naver Map – More reliable than Google Maps in Korea.
- KakaoMap – Also accurate, often preferred for real-time updates.
Delivery
- Baemin – Huge selection of restaurants.
- Yogiyo – Great discounts.
- Coupang Eats – Fastest single-order delivery.
Transportation
- Kakao T – Book taxis, rideshares, or designated drivers.
Payments
- KakaoPay / Naver Pay – Often built into apps and websites for fast checkouts.
10. Quick Etiquette Wins
Korean society values respect, and small gestures go a long way. Here are some golden rules:
- Quiet on transit: Keep voices down on buses and subways. Phone calls are discouraged.
- Queue properly: Whether waiting for the subway, bus, or ATM, form an orderly line.
- Escalator etiquette: Stand on the right in Seoul (left in some other regions).
- Shoes off: Always remove shoes when entering homes.
11. Bonus Tips for Newcomers
- Public Wi-Fi is everywhere – Cafés, subways, and even some buses provide free hotspots.
- Healthcare is affordable – Korea’s healthcare system is high-quality and foreigner-friendly.
- English support – Younger Koreans often understand basic English, but learning a few Korean phrases will earn you goodwill.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Flow of Korean Life
Life in Korea moves fast—literally and culturally. From digital payments and lightning-fast delivery to late-night entertainment and deep-rooted etiquette, there’s always something new to learn.
By embracing Korea’s self-service culture, learning basic politeness rules, and downloading the right apps, you’ll adapt quickly and enjoy your stay. And remember: Koreans are generally welcoming to foreigners who show respect and effort, even if you make small mistakes.
Whether you’re here for a few months or several years, these everyday life hacks will help you thrive.