So, you're moving to Korea. You're excited and eager to start your new life but what do you bring? Trying to pack your whole life into a few suitcases under 50lbs (22kgs) sometimes feels impossible. When I moved to Korea, I scoured the internet for every list I could find that would help to guide my packing. Many of these lists had outdated information or didn't answer the questions I had at the time. I have put together a list of things I recommend bringing and what to consider while packing.
Kate's Packing List:
Toiletries:
Toothpaste 1-2 tubes (fluoride toothpaste is available in Korea)
Toothbrushes (of course)
Deodorant 1-2 tubes (deodorant and antiperspirant is available in Korea but if you sweat a lot like me it might not be strong enough and you may need to bring more)
Full-size bath towel 1 (full-size towels are at Daiso but they aren't very fluffy)
Tampons (you can find them in Olive Young but not Western brands)
Pads (just enough for 2-3 months while you get settled)
Skincare (only the basics)
Make-up (foundation shades are extremely limited and very light)
Haircare (curly hair products are very limited)
Medications (most over-the-counter medicines are fine and can be found in pharmacies here)
Note: Check what medications you can or cannot bring into Korea, especially if you have prescriptions that include any narcotics or amphetamines, which need special permission to be brought in. You can learn more about these requirements at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety website.
Clothes:
Pants
Jeans 2-3 pairs
Slacks 2-3 pairs
Shorts 1-2 pairs
Sweatpants or comfy pants
Shirts
T-shirts 3-4
Blouse or button up 3-4
Sweaters 2-3
Jackets (only bring your favorites)
At least 1 nice outfit for graduation and picture days.
Bras (large cup or band sizes are difficult to find)
Shoes (it is difficult to find shoes over a US women's 8 or US men's 10)
Walking shoes
1 nice pair of shoes
Cute but comfy shoes
Note: Only bring clothes you know you will wear. Don't bring the dress in the back of your closet you have never worn but you definitely will wear it here. Use the space for clothes you like and feel comfortable in.
Electronics:
E-reader (easiest way to get English books)
Plug adapters
Power converters for large appliances like consoles
Note: Korea uses 220v so double-check the input ranges for all your devices before deciding if you only need a plug adapter or a power converter.
Korea has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid while winters are cold and dry. During the summer having clothes that are not restrictive and breathe well will help you feel more comfortable. In the winter, most people wear long puffy coats called "long padding" (롱패딩). These coats typically cost around ₩150,000 - ₩300,000 ($100 - 200 USD).
Finally, how much money should you bring? Before you can be paid, you need to have a Korean bank account. To open a bank account and have access to the funds in it, you have to have your Registration Card. Previously, it took about 4-6 weeks to receive your Registration Card after arriving. These days, especially during peak seasons (Feb. - Apr; Aug. - Oct.), the wait can be closer to two months. Because of the longer wait times, I recommend bringing $1,500 - 2,000 USD or having a credit card you are able to use overseas. Additionally, you will largely not be able to order things online without a Korean bank card. Online purchases are possible on Gmarket Global with a foreign card but shipping times can be inconsistent.
I wish you luck on your packing journey. Leave a comment if you have any questions or things to add to the list.
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