Korean Job Discussion Forums

[EmilyEmily]

I will be going with EPIK to Jeju-do this August. I am wondering how to get a phone. I like the convenience of having a smartphone, especially in a new place so I can get directions and so on. I heard that in Korea people do everything on their phones, and I don't want to miss out because i don't have one. Do most of you like having a smartphone in Korea, or is a simple flip phone enough? Is there a one-year contract or will I have to sign for two years? Do I really need an alien registration card to get a phone, and should I resign to being phoneless for a while?

I figure these are my options, and tell me if you think any of them is good:

1.) get a simple flip phone just for calls and text messages, and just stay relatively unconnected for a year.
2.) get a simple flip phone and an ipod touch/ipad, and use wifi for all my internet needs (because there's wireless everywhere, right?)
3.) get a smartphone in Korea with a one-year contract, if at all possible
4.) Get a used smartphone somehow (a gamble because I may not find someone with one to give me!)

There may even be more options...

[drunkenfud]

5) Sign a 2 year contract, and if you quit after 1 year then pay off the balance remaining on the cost of the phone. Get it unlocked. Use it back home.

6) Bring an unlocked smartphone with you and get it registered to use with KT, SK, or LG.

[EmilyEmily]

Thank you, I did not think of that.I have a droid which apparently cannot be unlocked. But I wouldn't mind getting an iphone there.