How to make friends in Korea

Language exchanges, hostels, clubs, volunteering and work: practical ways to meet both Koreans and other travellers on a working holiday.

Last checked 2 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm anything important with the official source linked in the article.

A working holiday can feel lonely at first, especially if you don’t speak Korean. The good news: Seoul and Busan are full of people looking to meet new friends too. You just have to show up.

1. Language exchanges

The easiest way to meet Koreans. You practise their language, they practise yours.

Language exchange meetups are held in cafés and bars in Hongdae, Sinchon and Gangnam most nights of the week. Search meetup and event apps for “language exchange Seoul”.
Language exchange apps let you chat first and meet later. Meet in a public place the first time.

Even if your Korean is zero, people are happy to swap. Many Koreans want to practise English, Japanese or French.

2. Where you live

Hostels and share houses are the fastest way to meet other travellers. Many have common rooms, group dinners and nights out.
Goshiwons are cheap but private, so you’ll need to look for friends outside.

See Goshiwon vs share house.

3. Clubs and hobbies

Hiking groups. Hiking is a huge hobby in Korea, and there are English-speaking hiking groups that go out most weekends.
Sports. Football, running crews, climbing gyms and dance studios all welcome foreigners.
Classes. Korean language classes, cooking classes and K-pop dance classes are full of people in the same situation as you.

4. Work

Your coworkers are often your first friends. Café, restaurant and guesthouse jobs especially. Say yes when they invite you to eat after a shift (회식, a work dinner), even if you just stay for an hour.

5. Volunteering and community

Seoul Global Center and other foreigner centres run events, cultural programs and Korean classes.
Animal shelters, beach clean-ups and English-language church and community groups are all good ways to meet people.

Tips

Learn Hangul. You can learn to read Korean letters in a weekend, and people appreciate the effort.
Use KakaoTalk. That’s how everyone keeps in touch here. Have it ready when someone asks for your “Kakao ID”.
Say yes to everything for the first month. Most friendships start with one awkward meetup.
Be careful with “free” invitations. If a stranger invites you somewhere and it suddenly costs money, or it’s a religious group that wasn’t upfront, it’s fine to leave. See Staying safe in Korea.