Korean Job Discussion Forums

[phic11]

I got mine from Ryan Lee (wineeconsulting.com)--used LG--only W33,000. What a deal. Works good!

[Cyrus9]

"I got mine from Ryan Lee (wineeconsulting.com)--used LG--only W33,000. What a deal. Works good!"

I also got a Cyon LG phone from Ryan Lee. W 33 000 was a decent deal until I brought it home and realized what an obnoxious, sh*tty phone it was. Then I dropped it as I pulled it out of my pocket a month later (it fell less than a metre) and the piece of sh*t can't be charged anymore via the charger.

It was really my fault in the end. I got what I paid for.

[kermo]

I bought a used cell phone at Yongan E-Park. It's absolutely awful. I can't get reception in my home or my office, and the battery runs out in less than a day. I only paid 30,000 but it's been a massive inconvenience, and it's taken the joy out of texting.

I'd like to get a new phone-- apparently if you switch from one company to another, they'll give you a new phone for free. I'll give it a shot, but I apparently need my bank book and I'll need to ask the bank for a new one. Any idea how to ask for it in Korean?

[Debk2000]

How about reviving this thread for us current newbies in Korea? I got here about a month ago and am still trying to figure out all the cell phone confusion. I really need to get a cell phone soon so I'm hoping to hear of any updated advice regarding phones, plans, etc. (Since the last post was from 2007 I figured that probably there has been some changes in recommendations).

[Troglodyte]

I'm also curious. I have been out of Korea for about 5 years. Now I'm back and I should probably get a cell phone.

I really don't know who's going to call me and I don't need to call anyone myself. My friends and family all use the internet for audio and text chatting. During the weekdays, I'm either at home or at my school. On the weekend, maybe I might call someone to ask if they want to hang out, but like I said, most people I know leave messenger turned on when they turn on the computer. For the amount that I'd actually call anyone, i could probably just use a calling card in a pay phone, but my school keeps suggesting that I get a phone.

So, with that in mind (low incoming or outgoing calls, maybe a few texts from time to time) what's the cheapest that I could get a phone? I don't care if it's an old brick shaped phone with black and white screen. I already have a digital camera and mp3 player. I just need something for talking and texting - preferably with a battery that will last 2 or 3 days between charging.


I live in Bucheon. Does anyone know of a cheap second hand phone store here? (Preferably with an English menu)

What would a cheap second hand phone cost?

If i have prepaid ("card phone"?) what is the least amount that I'd have to charge to it per month?

If i have a monthly plan, what is the cheapest plan available?


Some related questions:

-Language menus:
On Korean cell phones, can you upload and download menu languages? In North America and Europe, if you buy any phone now, you can upload a menu in just about any language. In fact, sometimes the store will do it for you. If not, there are small businesses that specialise in uploading languages and apps to your phone, as well as unblocking them and other stuff. Is it the same with Korean phones? Can you connect it to your computer and upload apps or menu languages? If so, then I could buy any used phone and just upload an English menu.

-GSM:
Are there any Korean companies that use GSM now? If so, do they use the North American or European bands? Or something different? I often work in Europe (and will likely go there after Korea), so if I could use my phone there, I'd consider getting a new phone. But only if it's completely Euro GSM compatible. Does anyone know anything about this?

[Old Gil]

If you can figure out how to search in Konglish, LG Phone and Fun branches can set u up. I don't know how much English you'll find though.

[fremchie]

LG, they are foreigner friendly. You can get a deal on a phone. A one year contract will usually get you a phone for 20,000 and 15000 a month bill. With free LG to LG (well 21hrs oer month)

[Debk2000]

Any more advice?

[Troglodyte]

[deizio]

If you have a existing contract and number which you want to keep, but your old phone sucks and you buy a second hand phone from a foreigner, can you just rock in to a phone shop and have them port the number across? ditto your phonebook? does it cost? presumably the original phone would have to have been on the same network?

[Troglodyte]

How much does a used cellphone cost these days?

[Troglodyte]

Why are there so few used phones for sale? What do they do with all the old phones? I know that no Korean wants to buy a second hand phone but are their other countries that use the same phone system as Korea? China for example uses GSM (like Europe) so Korean phones would be useless there. As far as I know most countries use GSM now.

[deizio]

so many questions.. so few answers. oh well.

[DorkothyParker]

I have a second-hand (fourth hand?) phone from LG. It worked when I got it but I never used it (didn't know the number) and it says "registration required" on it now. I know the people who used it before did the pre-paid thing. As I am beginning to see need for a phone, I'd like to use it. I was going to have my husband take it in tomorrow with a translator (friend visiting from out of town). Will he need his ARC, passport AND bankbook? The problem is my husband's name isn't on the bank account. (No special reason, I opened it with the assistance of my work and my husband didn't have an ARC at the time. Never got around to adding him because of the communication hassle and because it works fine as is).
He just wants to use cash to pay for the minutes also.

I'll send him on this errand anyway, but I would rather not make this whole ordeal too awkward.
Please help!

[2556375]

Can I buy a used contract cellphone from Lg and open up a contract with it?If yes,what will the monthly rates be?If not what are my options with the phone?It is a smartphone.