How to Make Friends in Korea ?!🤜🤛

When you first move to Korea, one of the hardest things isn’t getting your SIM card or finding a place to live. It’s realizing how hard it can be to make real connections. Everyone tells you to be open, join a club, go out… but no one really explains how to do that when your Korean is basic or non-existent. I’ve been there, and I know that feeling of sitting in a café surrounded by people, but not really knowing how to start anything. The good news is, you don’t need perfect Korean to meet amazing people here. You just need a few good places to start 💬💛 1/ Start with activities, not conversation One thing that helps a lot is doing something where the focus isn’t on talking. It sounds simple, but when you join an art class, a sports group, or even just a casual night out, the pressure drops. You’re not expected to hold a deep conversation. You’re just there, having fun, and people naturally open up. There’s actually a friend group I joined in Seoul who regularly organize game nights and chill parties for locals and foreigners. There are also groups like Xpartycrawl and Nuit Blanche Seoul, who throw parties in Itaewon and Hongdae with a mix of Koreans and internationals. It’s not forced. It’s just good vibes, good music, and open-minded people 🎶🍻 2/ Don’t wait until you’re fluent A lot of people feel like they need to learn more Korean first, but honestly, if you wait for that, you’ll miss out on a lot. Most Koreans don’t expect you to speak perfectly. What matters more is that you try. Just saying simple phrases like “Nice to meet you” or “Can I join?” shows effort, and people really appreciate it 😊 And if the other person speaks a little English, you usually find a way to make it work. Sometimes it’s half Korean, half English, a bit of Papago, and lots of laughs. It’s not smooth, but it’s real 😂📱 3/ Be consistent Friendship here takes time. You won’t become best friends after one chat. But if you keep showing up at the same café, the same gym class, or the same events, people will start recognizing you. It’s that slow familiarity that turns into friendship 🌱 4/ Be curious One of the easiest ways to connect is just to show interest. Ask someone what they’re watching these days, what café they recommend, or what music they’re into. Koreans love sharing their culture when they feel you’re genuinely interested 💡 Try their favorite dish, ask about their favorite neighborhood. It opens doors. 🌟 Tips to get started • Join activity-based groups like painting, dance, or outdoor clubs • Check out parties by Xpartycrawl and Nuit Blanche Seoul 🥂 • Learn 10 to 15 everyday phrases that you’ll actually use • Use Papago for real-time help, it works wonders • Say yes to invitations, even if you’re not sure what to expect • Bring small snacks or drinks to share at gatherings, it breaks the ice • Don’t panic if conversations are short at first, they’ll grow with time