popular social media apps in korea

The 9 Most Popular Social Media Apps In Korea 2023 | SNS Apps In South Korea

What is SNS in South Korea and what are the most popular social media apps in Korea? Is Instagram banned there? Find out more in this article!

Who doesn’t have social media these days? A lot of people spend more time on Instagram and Facebook than they do socializing in real life. And the people of South Korea are no different. 

There are several popular social media apps that South Koreans use and these include international apps like Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat and local ones like Naver and Duam.

Related: Best Dating Apps In Korea

And it’s not surprising that Koreans are so into social media either. Recent statistics show that at least 95 percent of Korean citizens are connected to the internet. Now that is among the largest number of internet users in the world.

In fact, they have also been among the first to embrace 5G technology. As early as April 2019, Korea’s top three internet providers started offering 5G services which were 100 times faster than regular old 4G.

So it’s not surprising that the SNS landscape is growing in South Korea at such an exponential rate. 

Social Media AppType of AppLocal or International
Kakao TalkInstant Messaging/Video CallingSouth Korean
LineInstant Messaging/Video CallingJapanese 
InstagramPhoto & Video Sharing AppAmerican
Naver CafeSocial Community AppSouth Korean
TikTokShort Video Sharing AppChinese
Daum CafePhoto Sharing & MicrobloggingSouth Korean
Kakao StoryPhoto & Video Sharing AppSouth Korean
SomoimSocial Networking AppSouth Korean
TwitterMicroblogging AppAmerican

What is SNS in Korea?

SNS stands for Social Networking Service (written in Korean Hangul as “소셜네트워크 서비스”). It is a group of websites, online service platforms and applications that are created for the purpose of building social relationships between people based on common interests, intentions, beliefs and opinions. So any social media application will come under the umbrella of SNS in Korea. 

Most Popular Social Media Apps In Korea 2023 

What are Some Korean Social Media Apps Like Instagram?

Korea boasts an impressive selection of social media networks, with many of them being unique to the nation. While Facebook and Twitter are still very much alive in the country, there are some truly unique Korean social media apps that offer unique features and experiences to the local users.

One of the most obvious comparisons to make is Instagram, the world’s most popular photo-sharing app. KakaoStory is one of the main contenders when it comes to Korean social media apps with a focus on photo sharing.

As well as filters and editing tools, users can use stickers to decorate their photos, as well as a variety of animated templates to tell stories.

Another popular choice is Band, an app aimed at users who are looking for ways to connect with their friends, collaborate on projects and share news, like a kind of Facebook for people who want to go a little beyond the plain old social media platform.

Wefactory is more focused on sharing experiences than actual photos, making the app a great outlet for travel photographers and other creative minds.

Here, users can post about their travels, hobbies, or whatever else takes their interest, with an emphasis going to original content that can capture the unique spirit of the country.

Naver, meanwhile, is a major worldwide web search engine based in Korea, with its own blog and Q&A features that make it as much a social network as a search engine.

Last but not least, Daum is another search engine with its very own blog and interactive features that make it a hybrid between a social network and an information hub.

Overall, there are countless options available for those looking for a unique experience when exploring the world of Korean social media.

With an emphasis on creativity and originality, users can easily find apps like Instagram that offer a unique flavor of experiences and engagement.

What are The Best Korean Social Dating Apps?

When it comes to exploring Asian culture and finding love, Korean social media apps are something to consider. While the internet is full of applications for different countries, Korean social media apps are some of the most popular around the world.

Whether you’re looking for a way to connect with millions of people, or simply hoping to find someone to have an unforgettable date with, these apps can be a fantastic way of finding a date.

Popular Korean social dating apps include Amanda, Azar, and Naver-Line. With Amanda, users can chat with people around the world with a free chat program.

Azar is a video chat app that allows users to explore different cultures and make friends with people from all around the world. Naver-Line takes it up a notch, allowing users to chat both in a group and in private chat rooms.

In addition, Korea has plenty of other awesome social dating apps to try out. For example, Badoo and Skout host millions of active users every month, giving users a chance to meet new people and potentially find love.

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, you can try out social dating apps such as Say Hola, KoreaDating, and Beauyme. All of these apps are designed to bring people from all walks of life together and create a network of like-minded individuals.

No matter the type of relationship you’re looking for, Korean social media apps can be an amazing source of finding true love.

With so many options available, you’re sure to find something to fit your desires. Give one of these social dating apps a try today, and you may find yourself embarking on a romantic adventure you’ll never forget!

Does Tiktok Work in South Korea?

When it comes to social media, South Korea is home to some of the most popular apps on the planet.

From Facebook and Twitter to Instagram and LINE, it may seem like there’s no space left for a new platform – especially one as fun and engaging as TikTok. But the buzz about this fast-paced mobile app has left many South Koreans wondering – does TikTok really work here? The answer is yes, TikTok absolutely works in South Korea.

Since its release in 2017, TikTok has taken the country by storm, becoming one of the hottest and most popular social media networks for young Koreans.

While it’s still relatively new compared to other platforms, the fun, easy to use interface and growing list of features – such as Duets and Reacts – have helped TikTok gain a foothold in the South Korean market.

The success of TikTok in South Korea can largely be attributed to its people-centric approach. TikTok takes a more casual, personality-driven approach to social media, which younger South Koreans have embraced with enthusiasm.

The app allows users to express themselves, as well as connect with brands, personalities and influencers in a new and exciting way. Moreover, Korean content creators have embraced it as a platform to share their creativity, and the content continues to become more exciting.

All in all, it’s safe to say that TikTok has become a major hit in South Korea. Not only does it offer users a unique and entertaining way to interact with one another, it’s also introducing the country to new opportunities to express their individuality and connect with others from around the globe.

While it may not be the platform for everyone, TikTok’s proven that it has a place in the South Korean market – and it looks set to stay.

Is Korean Facebook Different From US Facebook

When decompressing the world of social media, it’s no surprise to find that different countries rely on different platforms for connection and communication.

While the US and Korea both heavily rely on Facebook for social networking, there are a few differences between the two. First of all, the level of interaction. Korean Facebook has more bells and whistles when it comes to user-to-user interaction.

For example, a user can post hearts and applause in addition to the standard “likes” they can give. This makes way for a much more engaging online experience and encourages users to express themselves more.

There is also a vast amount of content on Korean Facebook, ranging from pictures to videos. Unlike US versions of the site, users don’t have to head over to YouTube to find a video, they can go straight to their Facebook instead.

This format is more convenient, makes it easier for users to share and comment on videos, and can help the content creators receive better engagement and reach. Korean Facebook also gets more personal with their relationship statuses.

Much like the US version, users can announce their relationship status on their profile, however, in Korea couples have the option of also announcing their anniversary date which can make it easier to know when to offer up a congratulations or give a gift.

All-in-all, Korean Facebook is quite different from the US version, providing more features than its US counterpart.

Whether it be the multitude of content, engaging user-to-user interactions, or the unique relationship status feature, it is evident that Korean Facebook is much more robust, making it a great platform to connect with old friends and make new ones.

There are several popular social media apps in South Korea and I’ve listed out a few of the popular ones here. I’ve used these apps personally so I’ve also reviewed them in a way.  These social media apps include:

Kakao Talk

korean social apps

KakaoTalk is actually a local South Korea social media app. It was created by the Kakao foundation in March 2010 and is an instant messaging platform.

What’s interesting is that Kakao Talk (also known as KaTalk colloquially) has surpassed other messaging apps like Whatsapp in Korea. 

In fact, in the first quarter of 2021, Kakao Talk reportedly had 52.9 million active users in the whole world out of which 46.3 million were based in Korea.

What’s more, this is a free app internationally as well and is available in 15 languages. So it is expected that the users will continue to grow. 

Line

korean social dating app

Line is one of the rare social media apps in Korea that isn’t Korean or American. While it was created by a subsidiary of the Naver Corporation, it’s actually of Japanese origin. 

The company NHN Japan created the app in June of 2011 as a rival to Kakao Talk in Japan which incidentally is South Korean. 

What sets Line apart from other instant messaging apps like KakaoTalk or Whatsapp is the use of personalized stickers.

In fact several Korean celebrities have teamed up with Line to create cartoon avatars of themselves to be used in Line. 

Korean pop group BTS’ “BT21” stickers are one such example. 

Instagram

Looking at the sheer popularity of Instagram, it’s no wonder that it’s among the most popular social media apps in Korea. According to research, in 2020, about 13.4 million of the total Instagram users were from South Korea.

Fan Instagram accounts or “Finstas” are one of the reasons why this photo-sharing platform is so popular. Most young people in Korea are obsessed with celebrities and use Instagram to create fan accounts dedicated to their idols. 

Naver Cafe

Unlike photo and video sharing apps Naver Cafe is a social media platform that allows users to create their own internet communities based on common interests. 

In May 2017, almost 10.5 million cafes were known to be running on Naver. It also doesn’t let you limit your interests as you can create up to 300 cafes on one account. 

If you want to learn how to create a new Naver Cafe want, check this out!

TikTok

what social media do korean celebrities use

I mean is it possible to have an article about social media these days and NOT mention TikTok? Impossible. This short-form video content app has taken over the world. 

Most of the users of Tiktok in South Korea are teens. In fact, some of these users have amassed such a large following that they can now be considered celebrities in their own right! 

TikTok in Korea is used in a variety of different ways. There are users who share their skills in dance, singing and choreography videos. There are family channels that record their kids growing up. And there are cat videos…now those are always a hit! 

Daum Cafe

korea social media landscape

Now Daum is a bit different than any other social media app in Korea. It doesn’t focus on sharing videos or photos or instant messaging. Instead, it helps people connect to their interests by joining different “cafes”.

This app is very popular with young people as they use it to interact with their favorite celebrities.

You would actually need a KakaoTalk account to sign up to Daum and after registering you can select different cafes to join based on your interest.

BTS has famously created a “BANGTAN fancafe” on Daum to interact with fans. 

Kakao Story

Yes, Kakao Story was created by the same corporation that launched Kakao Talk. If the latter was supposed to be Korea’s answer to Whatsapp, Kakao Story is a photo sharing app created as an alternative to Instagram.

While Instagram is still among the most popular social media platforms, Kakao Story recorded more users than Facebook in South Korea. 

Thanks to the popularity of short form content, Kakao Story has also added the “stories” feature to the app to combat competition from Tiktok and Instagram Reels. 

Somoim 

Despite having a reputation of being an Asian country that respects family values and community bonding, South Korea has increasingly become lonely for working adults.

So in comes the social media app Somoim that helps people get to know their neighbors. 

Basically, it’s a location-based social networking app that lets you know if there are any meetings, gatherings, parties or events in your locality.

You can join in and create a sort of community that meets up often to do more social activities like sightseeing, drinking, dining, etc. 

It’s supposed to help lonely people connect with others in a no-strings attached sort of way…but with friends. 

Twitter

As per statistical reports dated March 2022, almost 42.31 percent of total social media users in Korea were active on Twitter. 

Twitter is popular with not just Koreans but all of the world as it doesn’t require effort unlike Instagram or Tiktok. It’s a microblogging site so you need only 120 words to express yourself which doesn’t take much of someone’s time either. 

Here you can see how Kpop remains a topic of “trending” conversation on Korean Twitter!

FAQs about the Popular Social Media Apps in Korea

What is the most popular social media platform in South Korea?

According to research the most popular social media platform this month in 2022 was Twitter with over 42.31 percent of users. Twitter was closely followed by Facebook which amassed over 29.18 percent of users and then YouTube with 19.91 percent social media users flocking to the video sharing site. 

Is Instagram banned in South Korea?

No, not at all. In fact, Instagram is one of the most popular social media websites in South Korea. There are several celebrities like Kpop idols on Instagram as well. However, any form of social media including Instagram remains banned in North Korea.

What social media do Korean celebrities use?

Korean celebrities like celebs everywhere use a lot of social media apps for PR and to remain connected with fans. In Korea, Instagram and Twitter seem to be popular as there are official Instagram accounts of celebrities and Kpop groups as well as Twitter profiles. 
Korean entertainment companies also upload songs of Kpop idols, film their personal lives and showcase their choreography, etc. on their official Youtube channels, so it is a popular app as well.
There are also several Kpop apps that idols use to interact with fans despite them not technically being social media platforms. 

So those were some of the most popular social media apps in Korea. The SNS landscape has dramatically changed over the last decade thanks to the introduction of 5g and high internet speeds.

In fact, South Korea is the country with the fastest internet connection. So it follows that mobile applications and websites will take advantage of this fact. 

Also, the popularity of Kpop music and celebrity culture among South Korean citizens, especially the younger generation, drives them to get on social media to follow their favorite “idols” and connect with other fans. 

While apps which are popular worldwide like Instagram or Snapchat are popular in Korea as well there are several local SNS apps like Naver, Daum, Somoim, etc. which have a large following. 

So which is your favorite social media app? And who do you follow there?

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