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...

[chrisinkorea2011]

let me help you with some things. out of your options number 4 seems logical, although because you will be on the island of jeju it might not be possible.

1. what do you mean unconnected? you have internet,skype, msn, other ways of staying connected.

2 this way is smart also because the phone would be simple, and the ipad/pod would be your mobile internet device without having to pay a monthly bill. although wireless in some areas is weaker than others.

3 its unlikely that they will give you a 1 year contract. almost ALL places go for 2 year. and if you are lucky enough to get a 1 year (and i stress LUCKY) then it will be much more expensive, just like other companies charge. i have a smart phone but its whacking out lately so im going to upgrade to a iPHONE.

best of luck to you.

[SeoulNate]

2 is a decent option depending on where you are located. Some areas have great wifi, and other areas do not. Do not assume that you are going to have great free wifi in your neighborhood.

4 is actually a pretty good option IMO. At any given time there are always 5 or so people on craigslist trying to get rid of their smartphone contracts fro good deals, the only problem I could see for you in this is that most of those people are in Seoul, not Jeju. If you want this to work out for you, start advertising now, before you come, that you are looking to take over a phone contract in Jeju.

[I-am-me]

If you are only staying in korea 1 yr, just get simple card phone. Majority of apt's have internet hook ups and computers are dirt cheap. One yr goes by pretty fast. I dont think you will really get lost in Jeju. Its a round island.