What SNS and Apps Are Used in Korea?
If you travel to or study abroad in Korea, you might be surprised to find yourself thinking, “Huh? Not LINE?” While LINE is overwhelmingly popular in Japan, things are a bit different in Korea.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the SNS and app culture commonly used in everyday life in Korea.
By reading this, you’ll be able to communicate with Koreans much more smoothly — and build deeper connections.
KakaoTalk – Korea’s “National Messenger”
The most widely used messaging app in Korea isn’t LINE, but KakaoTalk.
KakaoTalk is often called a “national app” in Korea, as it’s used by virtually everyone — regardless of age or gender.
Main Features
- Convenient free calls, chats, and group conversations
- Adorable Kakao Friends character stickers are extremely popular
- Supports a wide range of functions — from money transfers and maps to games and shopping
Why Kakao?
In the early 2010s, as smartphones rapidly spread throughout Korea, KakaoTalk competed head-to-head with LINE.
Because it was developed in Korea, had strong local trust, and spread quickly among users, KakaoTalk firmly established itself as the dominant app in the country.
Instagram & YouTube – The Main Sources of Information for Korean Youth
Just like in Japan, Instagram and YouTube are extremely popular in Korea.
Instagram is widely used to discover information about cafés, fashion, and travel spots.
YouTube, on the other hand, is especially loved for vlogs and K-POP idol channels.
Unique Aspects in Korea
- Strong hashtag culture (e.g. #SeoulCafe #FoodieRecommendations)
- Influencers vividly share product reviews and beauty or cosmetic surgery experiences
- The “mukbang” (eating broadcast) genre — where creators film themselves eating — has become a well-established content style
NAVER – Korea’s Version of Google? For Searching and Blogging
When Koreans want to look something up, the first place they usually turn to is NAVER.
NAVER is more dominant than Google in Korea, and it’s especially popular for checking blogs and user reviews.
Main Features
- Naver Blog: Packed with personal diaries, reviews, and restaurant information
- NAVER Café: Community forums organized by hobbies and interests
- Papago Translation App: Supports multiple languages, making it convenient for tourists
➡️ When researching hotels or restaurants before your trip, searching in Korean on NAVER will give you the most accurate results!
Other Commonly Used Apps
- Baemin (Baedal Minjok) – The King of Delivery Apps
Korea is truly a “delivery paradise.” You can easily get fried chicken, tteokbokki, and more delivered even late at night.
In some cases, you can order to your hotel or guesthouse even without a local phone number. - Coupang – The Korean Amazon
A shopping app famous for its next-day delivery service.
It offers everything from groceries and electronics to daily necessities. - KakaoMap / Naver Map – Map Apps
Google Maps doesn’t work very smoothly in Korea.
Within Korea, KakaoMap and Naver Map are much more accurate and convenient.
Tips for Japanese Users Using SNS in Korea
- Install KakaoTalk!
It’s essential if you want to stay in touch with local friends.
Since over 90% of Koreans use KakaoTalk, you may not be able to reach them through LINE. - Get into the habit of checking Korean hashtags.
On Instagram, Korean-language hashtags contain far more detailed and up-to-date information than Japanese ones. - Use NAVER Translate and Papago together.
Both offer high translation accuracy and work seamlessly with other NAVER services.
Summary: Enjoy Korea More Through SNS!
Korea has an SNS and app culture that’s slightly different from Japan.
By understanding the local digital lifestyle — from KakaoTalk and searching for information on NAVER to watching vlogs on YouTube — your travel or interactions in Korea will become more enjoyable and smoother.
Especially if you want to communicate more deeply with Koreans, be sure to install KakaoTalk and take a step closer to experiencing “everyday life in Korea.”
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