Essential Apps for Student Setup in Korea
Short answer
Settling in as an international student in Korea.
International students settle in faster with a few apps: KakaoTalk for everything social and administrative, a foreigner-friendly mobile bank once you have an ARC, delivery for late nights, and secondhand apps for furnishing a room cheaply.
Most of the resident-grade apps unlock only after you receive your Alien Registration Card (ARC) and a Korean phone number.
Banking & Money
Toss
토스
Banking & Money
Korea's money super-app for residents
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree
KakaoBank
카카오뱅크
Banking & Money
Mobile bank app for Korea-based residents
Some EnglishNeeds Korean number + cardFree
Wise
Banking & Money
International transfers before and after your Korea move
English OKFree app + transfer fees
Secondhand & Local
Frequently asked
What apps do international students in Korea need?
KakaoTalk (essential), a mobile bank like KakaoBank or Toss once you have an ARC, Baemin for delivery, and Danggeun or Bunjang for cheap secondhand furniture and electronics.
Can students open a Korean bank account?
Yes, once you have an Alien Registration Card (ARC). KakaoBank and Toss offer foreigner-friendly app onboarding; you verify with your ARC and phone number.