Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Bryan]

Will I need a mobile phone? I'm not really interested in paying for one. Will people look at me weird if I don't have one?

Also I won't have a landline.

[sheba]

Look at you weird??

How do you expect to let your employer know if you are sick and cannot work? How will you organise to meet people? What if there is an emergency? you need a phone.

They are not expensive... If you dont mind being a bit less social, then get a landline, they are cheaper. But if you want to go out and meet people, then get a cell phone.

Were you planning to rely on email?

[Bryan]

Yeah I was gonna rely on email. I also have Skype for outbound calls.

To organize to meet people, I will email them or just talk to them on campus or the dorms or whatever.

I don't see how having a landline is much different than using just Skype and email, especially if you're out all day.

lol I find your post funny. What did people do 10 years ago, before mobile phones?

[Ya-ta Boy]

I don't bother with a cell phone, and yes, people look at me funny. Nonetheless, I manage to get through the day. I've noticed since cell phones came in that the definition of emergency has become 'my button just fell off'. I can do without being notified of that crisis in people's lives.

[icicle]

To answer your question ... Yes in Korea people will look at you strangely if you don't have a mobile/cell phone. They will not care about the landline. Korea has a very very wide coverage on mobile phones and people do universally expect you to have one. It is very much the primary means of contacting people. Another factor to know is that because Korean addresses do not follow the pattern you will be used to. ie primarily they use building numbers (which follow no logical pattern being based more on when the building was built than where it actually is) being able to ring people to find out exactly where they are (how to get there) or being able to be called yourself if someone is looking for you really is almost essential. A good thing on this however is that the cost of using it is much cheaper here ... and does not have to be very much at all. There is the option of taking the prepaid route (if like me you don't expect to make many calls) ... But I would put it into an essentials category for living in Korea. If you don't intend to make friends with any Koreans or do much business with Koreans or order anything that needs to be delivered to you (whether it is a parcel or food) then you will be able to get away without one. But if you do want to do those things then you really will need one. You don't need a landline (I have found Skype great for International calls) but really will find it hard if you don't have a mobile.

[icicle]

[Bryan]

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Draz]

[cdninkorea]

You can do without a cell phone- there are people without them as evidence.

It's hardly a major expense though. The cheapest cell phones you can buy, used, are around 40,000 thousand won ($40). In Korea you only pay for outgoing calls and text messages, and outgoing texts are really cheap. Just buy the pre-paid cards and limit your outgoing calls.

Koreans, especially young Koreans, love to text message. Constantly. If you're planning on making friends with or dating any, not having a cell phone will be a strange concept for them. Still, it'd be very silly if they didn't want to hang out with you for that (and if they did, you probably wouldn't want to be friends with them anyway).

[Bryan]

Do you think it's the same for university life? Like am I gonna have to text my friend down the hall to get drunk with me in the dorm rooms that night? YES I definitely want to make friends with young Koreans, date Korean girls, etc.

I just wanted to save money from having to buy a mobile phone and plans when I will be in Korea a semester, then to Thailand for winter break, then back in Korea for spring semester then gone. All my money goes toward my Thailand fund.

[Draz]

[Bryan]

Alright, that's pretty cheap I might get a phone then. Can you name an area I'll find a 30k won phone in Seoul?

Actually can you get a SkypeIN Korean number?

[mmarshalynne]

I have skype in. I picked out a phone number from the states in my home town area so that my parents can call me for free, but you can get a number for south korea and even have multiple numbers. My skype in number was $12 for 3 months. I pay $2.95 per month to make all of my calls to the US, landline or cell, for free. I was also reluctant to get a cell phone wondering who I would call, but after just one week I have made some contacts who will likely become friends. English speaking people just come up to you and ask for your cell phone number in the strangest way. They are just happy to see another English speaking person, and within a few moments, they are assuring you that you will become great friends. Korean people approach you wanting to become friends to hone their English speaking skills. I doubt that anyone can remain friendless in Korea except by choice.

[sheba]