5 Must-Have Apps for International Students Living in Korea: The Ultimate Tenant Survival Guide
Oct 2, 2026
Moving to South Korea for a university semester or full degree program is an incredible milestone. However, the reality of setting up a life in a new country can quickly set in. From deciphering your rental agreement and paying monthly utility bills to navigating the subway system, getting used to your new living space comes with a steep learning curve.
5 Must-Have Apps for International Students
Whether you are moving into a university dormitory, an off-campus One-room (studio apartment), or a Gosiwon, here are the 5 essential apps every international student needs to download right away.
1. Naver Map (네이버 지도)
매일매일 보는 지하철노선도 위젯 설치하고 더 빠르게 확인하기 >
Route Search Interface
Transport Options
Type Duration Schedule Fare Route Details Best 16min 9:20 PM - 9:36 PM ₩1,400 Walk 7m -> Line 3 (Gyeongbokgung Station) 7m -> Walk 1m -> Line 4 (Chungmuro Station) 1m -> Myeong-dong Station Alternative 23min 9:16 PM - 9:39 PM ₩1,500 Walk 5m -> Bus 2m -> Line 3 10m Detailed Route View
Step-by-Step Directions
Best for: Navigation, Finding Neighborhood Services, and Public Transit
Naver Map is the undisputed king of navigation in South Korea. It provides hyper-accurate walking directions, real-time subway schedules, bus arrival times, and step-by-step transit transfers.
- Neighborhood Discovery: Easily locate essential spots around your new rental, such as coin laundromats, 24-hour convenience stores, supermarkets, and local pharmacies.
- English Language Support: Naver Map fully supports English, making it simple to search for addresses when filling out delivery orders or alien registration forms.
- Street View: Use the street view feature to visually inspect the neighborhood around your apartment before walking home late at night.
Tenant Pro-Tip: Save your university campus address as "School" and your apartment/dorm address as "Home" in the app for instant one-tap transit routes.
2. Naver Papago (파파고)
papago
* available on iOS15 +
Step Instruction UI Details Step 1 Touch the menu papago, Korean, English, Type the text to translate., Voice, Conversation Step 2 Select Papago mini Welcome! Please log in, Favorite, History, Home, Edu Beta, Website Translate, Offline translation, Phrasebook, Word Cards, GYM, Settings, Papago Mini Step 3 Ready to translate! papago, If you copy the text, translation results are provided. Translated by papago, Type the text to translate., Voice, Conversation
Best for: Translating Lease Contracts, Utility Bills, and Landlord Messages
While Google Translate works in a pinch, Papago is developed by Naver specifically for the Korean language. It understands Korean honorifics, daily slang, and contextual nuances significantly better than any other translation tool.
- Image Translation for Bills: Point your camera at paper utility bills (electricity, gas, water) to instantly translate the due dates, payment account numbers, and usage charges.
- Text Translation for Landlords: Copy and paste messages from your real estate agent (Budongsan) or landlord into Papago to avoid misunderstandings regarding your security deposit, rent payments, or house rules.
- Voice Translation: Use the real-time voice feature when speaking to maintenance workers or building managers who may not speak English.
3. Karrot / Danggeun Market (당근마켓)
karrot Buy & sell locally
Didsbury
Product Name Location Time Posted Price Grey sofa Chorlton 2 sec ago £90.00 Green city bike Sale 10 sec ago £50.00 Garden table & chairs Heaton Mersey 53 sec ago £120.00
Best for: Furnishing Your Studio on a Student Budget
Most student rentals in Korea come semi-furnished, but you will often need extra items like a desk lamp, clothes drying rack, microwave, or a fan. Karrot is Korea’s premier hyper-local second-hand marketplace.
- Neighborhood-Based Deals: Karrot verifies users by location, meaning you are buying from neighbors living within a few kilometers of your apartment.
- Free & Low-Cost Items: Departing international students frequently give away gently used furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories for free or under 10,000 KRW.
- Built-in Translation: The app includes automated translation in the chat function, so you can easily message sellers even if you don't speak fluent Korean.
4. Kakao T (카카오 T)
Best for: Moving Day Taxis and Late-Night Travel
Kakao T is Korea’s all-in-one transportation platform. It allows you to hail taxis, rent electric bicycles, check train schedules, and more.
- Stress-Free Moving Day: When arriving from the airport or transferring between accommodations with heavy luggage, you can hail a standard or large taxi (Venti) directly to your rental address without language barriers.
- In-App Payment: Link an international or local credit card to pay automatically inside the app, eliminating the need to handle cash or explain destinations verbally to drivers.
- Safety Features: You can share your route and taxi license plate number with friends in real time, making late-night travel back to your apartment safe and transparent.
5. Coupang (쿠팡)
Best for: Next-Day Delivery of Apartment Essentials
Coupang is the Amazon of South Korea, famous for its lightning-fast "Rocket Delivery" (Rocket Baesong). If you order items before midnight, they often arrive outside your apartment door by 7:00 AM the next morning.
- Day-One Household Needs: Order toilet paper, bedding, trash bags, dish soap, and bottled water as soon as you get your keys so your room is livable on night one.
- Official Municipal Trash Bags: In Korea, waste must be separated into specialized regional trash bags (Jongnyangje bongtu). Coupang allows you to stock up on the exact bags required for your specific district (Gu).
Tenant Pro-Tip: Make sure to write your address in the exact Korean format provided by your landlord, including your specific room number (e.g., Room #302), so packages are left directly at your door rather than the main building lobby.