Settle in
Get the basics sorted first
ARC (외국인등록증), bank account, health insurance, essential apps. The stuff you actually need to handle first.
Last updated: March 2026
First Week
Your first week checklist
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Bureaucracy
Getting things sorted
Step-by-step guides for the admin tasks every newcomer has to deal with.
Seoul survival kit
Things worth knowing
Things your neighbors wish they’d known when they first came to Korea.
Getting around
- Seoul Metro appSubway routes and real-time arrivals
- Kakao Map / Naver MapNavigation — better than Google Maps here
- T-money cardTap-and-go transit card, buy at any convenience store
Food & daily life
- Baemin (배달의민족)Most popular food delivery app
- Coupang EatsFast delivery, often has promotions
- DaisoEverything you need for under ₩5,000
Communication
- KakaoTalkHow everyone in Korea communicates
- PapagoBest Korean ↔ English translation app
- Naver DictionaryDeep vocabulary and example sentences
Useful apps
- Naver (네이버)Korea’s main search engine and maps
- 당근 (Karrot)Local marketplace and neighborhood app
- CoupangOnline shopping with next-day delivery
Healthcare
- Naver Maps → 약국Find the nearest pharmacy
- GoodDoc / 1HealthEnglish-speaking doctor search
- National Health InsuranceRegister within 6 months of arrival