Moving to or living in a vibrant city like Seoul can be both exciting and overwhelming. With nearly 10 million people, the city is full of energy, opportunities, and countless unique stories. Yet in such a fast-paced environment, it can sometimes feel challenging to build long-lasting meaningful connections and find your own circle of friends. With a surge in single-households and more busy schedules, Seoul is experiencing a loneliness epidemic and a lot of young people are living in social isolation. 

Fortunately, Seoul is also a city full of possibilities for meeting people and forming genuine friendships. From language exchanges and cultural workshops to hobby groups and community events, there are many spaces where people can come together, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. These communities not only support mental well-being but also help people feel more at home in such a large and dynamic city.

Finding your community can make a huge difference in how you experience life in Seoul, whether you are new to the city or have lived here for years. Here are some of the best ways to make friends in Korea, so we can fight this loneliness and find our community. 

Searching for Connection in a Big City 

With social media being bigger than ever before and Seoul having up to 9,7 million inhabitants, it should be easy to make friends. So why do so many young people experience social withdrawal? 

In recent years, Korea has seen a rise in single-person households, especially in large cities like Seoul. As more young people move to urban areas for university and career opportunities, living alone has become a common part of modern life. This shift allows them to experience a different lifestyle and give more independence, but it also means being physically farther away from family and long-time social circles. At the same ime, work and study schedules in orea can be quite demanding, leaving many people with limited time to build new friendships and hang out outside of their daily routines. 

The social norms have also changed over the years. More people are choosing to focus on their careers, personal goals, or financial stability first, before thinking about marriage or family life. While this has opened up new opportunities for independence and self-development, it has also contributed to more people living on their own for longer periods of time. In a fast-paced and highly connected city like Seoul, it is possible to be surrounded by millions of people while still feeling like meaningful connections take time to build.

However, this changing lifestyle has also brought the growth of new communities and social spaces. From hobby groups and cultural workshops to language exchanges and local events, many people are actively seeking ways to connect with others who share their interests. A lot of people are actively looking for new ways to build connections and make friends. As a result, Seoul continues to evolve not only as a global city but also as a place where new friendships and supportive communities can grow.

Ways to Make Friends in Seoul 

Seoul is a city full of people, and chances are that many of them are also looking to meet new friends. But knowing that doesn’t always make it easier to actually start a conversation or build a connection. Walking up to someone on the street and asking if they want to be friends might feel a little awkward, and might even catch them off guard. So how do you actually meet people in a city this big? Luckily, there are plenty of natural and fun ways to connect with others. Here are some of the best ways to start building new friendships in Seoul.

Online Groups

One of the easiest ways to start meeting new people in Seoul is through social media, you can even start meeting people before actually going here. Online communities are more active than ever, they offer a simple way to connect with others who are also looking for friends or new experiences in the city. 

Reaching out online can feel less intimidating than approaching someone in person. The barrier is a bit lower because you can first interact through your profile, comment on posts, or join conversations before meeting face-to-face. Groups such as Foreigners in Seoul on Facebook or the Living in Korea subreddit are good places to start, but you can also simply search for communities on every platform using keywords like “living in Seoul” or “Korea travel” to discover even more groups.

These communities often have people posting every day about doing a lot of different activities, which makes it easier to find others with similar interests. Of course, it’s always important to stay mindful when meeting people from the internet, choose public places for your first meetup and avoid sharing too much personal information until you feel comfortable.

Taking Classes and Workshops

Another great way to meet people in Seoul is by joining classes or workshops. The city offers an incredible variety of activities, from Korean language courses to Kpop dance classes and creative workshops. When you join these classes, you will immediately be surrounded by people who share the same interest as you. This makes it easier to start a conversation and form connections. 

If you prefer classes or workshops that are less of a weekly commitment, Seoul also offers great one-time experiences you can try. If you are interested in arts you can try calligraphy, pottery or traditional crafts. 

Another popular class to try are cooking classes. Bonding over great food and struggling to make new dishes is a great way to get the conversation flowing. 

If you prefer exploring the city and chatting to people while maybe getting a drink, the city also offers some pub crawl or city tours. This is a great way to get to know different parts of the city while meeting new people. You can find these online or on different travel sites such as Airbnb, Klook and Meetup. 

Language Exchange 

Language exchanges are another great way to meet new people while learning something new at the same time. Most language exchanges are very accessible, and you don’t need to speak the language fluently to join. Many events include games, conversation prompts, and group activities that help break the ice and make conversations feel natural and relaxed.

At The Daebak Company, building meaningful connections and creating a welcoming community is something we care deeply about. That’s why we host Nurida, our language exchange meetup in Seoul. Nurida is a multicultural community that brings Koreans and foreigners together through language exchange, games, cultural events, and shared experiences. Whether you are staying in Seoul for a short time or living here long-term, everyone is welcome.

The format is designed to make meeting people easy and comfortable. With games and conversation starters guiding the interaction, you don’t have to worry about thinking of topics yourself. Instead, you can simply enjoy the experience, meet interesting people, and learn about different cultures along the way. If you’re looking for a fun and relaxed way to expand your social circle, Nurida is a great place to start. Our next meetup will take place on March 20th, and you can find more information here: https://daebak.co/pages/nurida 

Be Open to Meeting New People 

Finally, and most importantly, be open to meeting new people. It might sound obvious, but having an open mindset and stepping a little outside your comfort zone can make a big difference. Meeting new people can feel intimidating, but remember they are also hoping to make new connections. Being yourself and staying open to conversation is often the first step toward finding people you truly connect with.

Connecting People Worldwide

Korea is not the only place experiencing this trend, loneliness has become a global issue in many countries around the world. To help bring people together, Nurida has also created an online community where those interested in Korean culture can connect, share experiences, and meet others with similar interests. Through this initiative, The Daebak Company hopes to build meaningful connections while encouraging cultural exchange between Korea and the rest of the world. This way we can bring Korean culture to a global audience.