Korean Job Discussion Forums

[warmachinenkorea]

My wife and I are breaking down after 2 years here and we are gonna get a phone. So we are gonna get an iphone.

Do I need a Korean to help me? Like sign the contract etc...?

How much can I expect to pay?

Are there any better options? I tried out one of the new galaxies, I think a Galaxy U (what ever the newest one is) and I didn't like it much. All while the Korean sales guys are telling me "Samsung good! Iphone trash!"

Any help or advise is appreciated. I'm in Daegu.

[Jake_Kim]

There are two KT 'SHOW' branches for iPhone 4:

1. 932 Yongsan-dong, Dalseo-gu ('동구 신암동 214-5')
2. 214-5 Sinam-dong, Dong-gu ('달서구 용산동 932')

You'll be waitlisted first as KT releases handsets in batch while the supply of handsets has been significantly backlogged. Bring a GOOD translator with you, not because you need a Korean guarantor or something, but you might have a hard time understanding what all those conditions and clauses are for. They barely make sense for a native Korean, in case you wonder. On top of a regular paperwork, you might also need to bring your credit card as well.

Beware that, unless you're a F2, F4, F5 visa holder, payment schemes available to you will be severely limited - it's likely that you'll have to pay for the handset in a lump-sum with a discount through subsidy from KT, under the condition that you keep the contract for a certain extended period - e.g. 18 or 24 months, depending on the expiration date of your current visa - which also caps the amount of the subsidy offered. (F2/4/5 holders can opt to pay for the handset in installments, others cannot)

If KT mentions anything similar to 'Smart Sponsor Scheme', it comes WITHOUT subsidy for handset. Instead, KT charges a lower monthly base fee over the contract period.

Do go ranting on http://twitter.com/ollehkt_expats (KT's official channel) as you will very likely jump through hoops to get an iPhone in Korea.