Making Friends in Korea: Tips for Expats and Foreigners in Seoul

Making Friends in Korea: Tips for Expats

I've talked with many international friends in Korea about how hard it can be to make friends here. I understand their struggles because I've seen how tough it is. Here’s a bit about what I’ve learned from their experiences and my own journey:

Breaking the Language Barrier

My friend John found it very lonely not being able to speak Korean well. He joined some clubs but couldn’t have deep conversations. He decided to take Korean classes and slowly, things got better. Now, he can joke with his Korean friends and it feels so much better.

Finding Your Tribe

Sarah, another friend, had a hard time at first. She joined a drinking group even though she wasn’t a big drinker. But she kept going and those nights out turned into drinking parties. She told me it was important to keep showing up, even when it felt awkward.

Patience Pays Off

Making friends as an adult takes time. My friend Sugandi has been in Korea for 1.5 years. Her best friendships took a long time to form. It wasn’t about instant connections but about being there, sharing experiences, and letting things grow slowly.

Going Local

One thing I've learned is that it's important to make local friends instead of only having international friends. My friend Mike spent his first few years in Korea only socializing with other expats. He made some good connections, but many of them moved away.

He realized that building friendships with locals was key to feeling more settled. Mike started learning more Korean and joined local groups, which helped him make lasting friendships.

In my own experience, making friends in Korea takes time and patience. Every small effort adds up, and those small connections can turn into true friends.

Just give it time and keep putting yourself out there.

Feel free to learn more about our activities with locals and internationals below.

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