Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ETA]

Is it possible to buy a pre paid phone card instead of a phone contract in Korea? I don't use my phone often so it would make alot more sense.

Thank you

[le-paul]

its a lot more expensive unless your texting, but yes. i bought my phone outright. i just go to the local asian mart and they charge it up for me or give me the cards and i do it myself. if im calling overseas, i buy a different card that gives me about 300 mins. talk time.

[face32]

It's definitely not a lot more expensive. Especially if you say you don't use it often. Unless of course you want a smart phone. Then I have no idea.

I bought my non-smart phone from a foreigner leaving Korea for 80,000 won. I spent less than 50,000 on prepaid cards in the entire year I was there.

[le-paul]

[wishfullthinkng]

it really depends on what you want to use your phone for. if you want to get a dumbphone and call your friends very rarely sure prepaid cards might be a good idea. if you want to have a very active social life then it's a better idea to get a very low price smartphone either through a foreigner leaving, or a 1 year contract and get a low monthly plan with 3g data (it's unlimited here on most plans if not all at this point).

coming from experience, most koreans use the messaging app kakaotalk. if you plan on socializing with them it's pretty much a must, especially if you plan on going out with korean gals (truly indispensable at that point)

[PigeonFart]

You've made the same decision i made a few years ago. I'm happy with my decision. I recommend you buy an old dumbphone in Itaewon (or craigslist) and buy the top up cards in the foreign food store in Itaewon (10,000 won each). Alternatively you can buy the phone and cards in other phone shops around itaewon or elsewhere.
I recommend the 'Free T Free C' card...(See image on link below)

I rarely call people on my phone, and rarely take calls. I only send messages so it's VERY cheap. I paid about 50,000 won for my old used phone many years ago, but that came with 30,000 credit (so i actually only paid 20,000).
I top up my card about once every 2 months (10,000원 every top up).

Your phone is not at all related to your social life like the marketing companies want you to believe. I've never used Kakaotalk. It's definitely not a "must" as the previous poster said. I just text people and then meet them face to face.

'Free T Free C' card
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=free+t+free+c+card+korea&um=1&sa=X&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=593&tbm=isch&tbnid=A9Olnb2fv_-lLM:&imgrefurl=http://vinamarket.com/en/calling-cards-in-south-korea/the-nap-may-di-dong.html&docid=IPowpt4CZ4Oo3M&imgurl=http://static.vinamarket.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/160x180/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/v/i/vi_card_1_.jpg&w=160&h=180&ei=gPueUe_hJ6WWiQeOwYC4DQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=328&page=3&tbnh=137&tbnw=122&start=35&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:43,s:0,i:215&tx=66&ty=60

[ETA]

ok, great! Thank you all for the ideas.

It seems a pre owned phone then the 10K top off cards is the way to go. Do the top off cards come with a SIM card? I have already have a mobile phone, just need to find out where they sell sim cards and then top it off.

[Drew10]

You can't just recommend a card to use. It doesn't work like that.

the card you use is what your phone provider tells you to use when they activate your phone, because it's the only card that will work on your phone due to the company it's activated through.

[wishfullthinkng]

i disagree that it's the best way to go. a smartphone with a cheap 3g plan will enrich your life here way more than a dumbphone. there's a reason why korea is one of the most connected countries in the world...

and pigeonfart misread my statement. i said if you are socializing with koreans and even more so if you are planning on dating a lot of korean gals it is a must. which it is. if anyone disagrees then they have simply not dated a lot of korean girls outside of the english-speaking itaewon ones.

[PigeonFart]

[quote="wishfullthinkng"] and pigeonfart misread my statement. i said if you are socializing with koreans and even more so if you are planning on dating a lot of korean gals it is a must. which it is. if anyone disagrees then they have simply not dated a lot of korean girls outside of the english-speaking itaewon ones.[/quote]

I accept that the smart phone gives you greater options. There's no doubt about that. But i was just responding to the fact that you said it was a "must" have thing, especially for dating girls.
I've never had a local girl not go out with me because i couldn't access Kakaotalk. I'm talking about actual Koreans too not "Itaewon ones."
I get their number, send a text message proposing to meet, and voila.
Anyway, i understand the point you're making. I just disagree that it's as important as you think it is, even when it comes to dating.

Fair point made by the other poster saying you can't choose a certain card (i.e. you can only get a specific card depending what phone you use). I didn't know that.