Finding Shoes and Getting a Cell Phone in South Korea
BRING SHOES with you to South Korea! I wear an 8.5, and although I can find something to fit my feet by searching, searching, and searching some more, the pickings are slim… I found some boots, but I was shocked when I found them. Usually the cute shoes (heels, and heeled boots) that should fit an 8.5 are usually tight and uncomfortable. In Busan and Seoul there are places to go to find shoes and chothes, but someone has to go with you. I get lucky sometimes, but I can’t say that I know THE places where they will have shoes to fit. They don’t use addresses here like we do, and some of the shopping districts are like mazes. Oh, and the signs on the stores and the street signs are in Korean 
My shoe size is 255.
I got a Curitel cell phone. I had a Samsung Smartphone (touch screen) from home, but was told that it wouldn’t work or I couldn’t get it on a calling plan here. I think that I could have gotten an international plan, but it probably would have been expensive. My phone is a small flip phone. It is a camera phone, but I don’t use it because I haven’t figured out how to upload the pics that I would take.
I didn’t have to do much to get it. In EPIK they had a day where we went to a room and signed a form, gave them a copy of our passport and was given a phone. Most people were able to choose their phone. I couldn’t choose, because I decided to get the phone later in orientation and they ran out. Actually, I just learned that EPIK no longer facilitates signing up for phone plans and getting a cell phone. There were too many complaints from the company that they used.
Anyway, to get a phone, on a phone plan without being in EPIK you will need to have your alien registration card (ARC). How do you get an ARC? Basically, you fill out an application in the immigration office; give them your passport, and they send you a card in about a week or two. The immigration office will keep your passport, but they will mail it back to you or you can choose to pick your ARC and passport up. I picked mine up. Someone from your school will probably take you to get the card, because you need to have it as proof that you are working legally. It’s the ID that you use to handle important business like banking. I think that you have to show the card to the cell phone people. I believe that the company is called Show. This process may be difficult if they won’t let you use your card and insist that a Korean person co-signs for you. I’ve heard of something like this happening. My co-teachers were extremely happy that I already had a phone. In fact, all of the co-teachers in the room at the time began applauding when they announced that after EPIK orientation.
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Hi Korea Diva!
What’s up girl. Just read your blog… very informative. Memories… ah!
I have taught and lived in Korea and thought I’d advise you on finding shoes. If you go to Seoul anytime soon check out these great shopping districts. You’ll have no problem finding your shoe size.
Dongdaemun Market
Meyoungdun (I think there may be a Meuyung-dun Station… it’s near Jong-no station)
Shinsegau Dept Store. Great clothes and wide selection of shoes.
Hope this helps!
~ A fellow black chick who lived in Korea…
Feel free to contact me if you need any tips on where to find good deals and stuff. I absolutely loved shopping there. The people were amazing and I didn’t encounter any prejudice. Always compliments! The most warm and welcoming people ever! The food rocks too! Bulgogi, kimchi chigae, jae yuk da pap, ahhhhh… the list goes on.
Enjoy your stay there!
Thanks so much for the info! I am going to have to go shopping in Seoul (when I get some money up)!
So I’ve been following you for a while now and have no idea why I haven’t commented until now. I’m currently teaching in Gyeonggido (near Seoul) so if you ever come up this way, we should go shopping together
I speak a little korean so can try helping out – and I’m all for making more friends in Korea!
@Jessica, Thanks so much! I’ll contact you when I ever decide to come up.
Are you serious? EPIK used to give you a phone? Well, that’s no longer, although the program and orientation did treat us pretty well. I’m a size 8.5-9… where did you find conversion for that, as well as conversion for other sizes like bra, etc??? It’s not European conversion is it?
GRRRL TRAVELER´s last blog ..What is The Korean Crud?
@GRRRL Traveler EPIK didn’t actually give us a a phone. They facilitated the process. They invited a third party company to come to orientation, and this company brought phones and had us complete paperwork there. That’s what happened in August 2009. So, we essentially signed contracts for the phones during orientation and they were passed out before we left. We were supposed to have our payment drafted from our bank accounts monthly, but that didn’t happen in my case. I had to go to the phone company and pay the monthly bill. It’s not an unlimited plan; there is a fee for calls and text messages, but it’s what the Korean people pay I was told by my former co-teacher. I pay about $30 a month.
A friend who had the same shoe size as me, told me my size. She said that I could find shoes in Nampo-dong. I have found shoes there, but just by stopping at random places and trying on what they have. It’s not a European conversion. Sometimes nice sales women have a knack of finding my size. They put their hands on each side of my waist and bingo! They pull out something that fits. I only know my size in shoes and jeans.