Dealing with the culture shock around map apps might exist as one of the MOST frustrating parts of moving to Korea. We compiled a breakdown of the most common culture shock points communicated in our communities. Hopefully, the following information helps you 1) know what to expect when you arrive in Korea and 2) feel less alone with the struggle. We throw a few pro tips in as well. Naver Map Cultures Shock in Korea The culture shock around Naver maps primarily stems from the stress of learning something new and the language barrier instead of problems with functionality. Often, when you move to South Korea you start to feel the social pressure to use Naver Maps. That pressure often feels very stressful and unfounded. I mean, you’ve lived off Google Maps for years just fine. Why learn a whole new user interface, iconography, and verification system? We will not lie. We understand why adapting to the Naver Maps system may feel hard. You will likely begin using Naver Maps via the English language interface which has many issues. However, eventually, you will find your way through the interface and language issues into a happy place filled with useful information. Let’s jump into the culture shock points regarding Naver Maps to hurry that adaptation process along. Naver Maps User Interface International residents from Western countries may struggle with the new UX/UI (User Experience and User Interface) design. Eastern and Western tech companies often use different types of UX/UI design systems due to differences in culture. Such UX/UI systems contain hidden culture and assumed knowledge. This can make adapting to the new systems very stressful. Moving from Google Maps in Naver Maps can feel overwhelming. Language Barriers While Naver Maps offers English-language options, many details (like user reviews, menus, and local business names) are only available in Korean. This can be challenging for those not fluent in Korean. Some people say they can’t tell if they have the English version of the app since so much Korean still exists. Complex Route Options Naver Maps often provides multiple route options with details on real-time traffic, alternative routes, and specific arrival times. Additionally, they will provide such routes in the middle of your trip based on current conditions. While helpful, the amount of detail can feel overwhelming, especially if users feel accustomed to simpler interfaces. Integration with Local Services Naver Maps integrates with local Korean services. This includes such services as food delivery, reservation platforms, and wait lists for restaurant tables that have no English language interface. Additionally, such services may require you to have legal residency in South Korea. This means you need a Korean Foreign Residence Card, smartphone, and bank account. This level of integration may feel unfamiliar to many international users and might feel intrusive or cumbersome. Additionally, if you aren’t a Legal Resident of South Korea you may not be allowed to access some features. This can feel alientating and frustrating. Difficulty with English Address Formats For a number of reasons, Romanized Korean addresses often do not work in Naver. Frequent Updates to Maps and Locations Naver Maps changes often. In fast-developing areas of the country, new establishments can appear or disappear overnight. This level of change might surprise users who are accustomed to more static map data. Mapping Data Unstable in New Cities Sometimes South Korea builds completely new cities. During the construction time, Naver Maps often can’t route correctly in the area. Sometimes this can go on for years. If you live in a new city or neighborhood, this can feel very frustrating. Public Transit Detail Overload Naver Maps provides extensive transit details. Honestly, it’s like having a personal assistant walk with you through each step. Naver Maps provides estimated costs, exact arrival times, platform numbers, alarms to get off the bus, and transfer points. If you aren’t used to taking the bus this might feel overwhelming. However, you will quickly fall in love with all these features when you use them in your daily life. Unique Search and Filter Options The search options on Naver Maps include filters (e.g., pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, parking available) that might be unfamiliar to new users but highly specific. Search Defaults to Seoul If you don’t specify your area, Naver Maps only searches Seoul. This exists as our point of continued frustration and culture shock. This often misleads international residents into thinking what they need only exists in Seoul. Searching in Hangul Still Most Effective Even though Naver Maps offers an app with an English language interface, you still need to search in Hangul to get good results. Google Maps Culture Shock With all those struggles learning a new system like Naver Maps, why would you give up Google Maps (This includes WAZE which is a Google subsidiary)? Why not stick with what you know? Well, that’s because the culture shock surrounding Google Maps generally comes from a lack of functionality and outdated and inaccurate information. Let’s get into that next. Limitations for Google Navigation Google Maps can’t provide as accurate driving directions in Korea as it does in other countries. You might be able to find many things in Google Maps, but you will still need to switch to Naver Maps for accurate and specific driving, transit, or walking directions. Transit Information Isn’t Always Reliable While Google Maps does show some transit options, they may not be updated with real-time schedules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, switch to local apps like Naver Maps or KakaoMap for public transit. This can feel especially stressful because it FEELS like you have access to Korean transit information but then then you can’t fully trust it. This is a Google problem and not a Korean transit problem. Limited Street View Coverage Google Maps has limited street view access in Korea compared to Naver Maps. For a more comprehensive view of the streets and surroundings, use Naver Maps’ street view. If you use Google Street View you are looking at data from many years past. You can’t trust it. Less Detailed Business Listings Google Maps tends to have less detailed information on Korean businesses compared to Naver Maps. That’s because businesses need to maintain their business listing to keep information currently Unless a business focuses on serving foreigners, they aren’t managing their Google listings. Instead, they only focus on their Naver Maps business listing. For details on business hours, menu options, and other specifics, try cross-referencing both apps or use Naver Maps as your primary resource. Difficulty with Korean and English Address Formats Google Maps might not recognize often can’t recognize Korean addresses in English or Korean. In most cases, Naver Maps is often better suited for handling the local address structure. Additionally, in Naver Maps, most business phone numbers also pull up the business and you don’t even need the address. Lack of Integration with Korean Services Google Maps doesn’t integrate directly with local reservations or delivery services. For restaurant reservations or food delivery options, use specific Korean apps like Coupang Eats, Yogiyo, or Baemin. Read More Blogs About Naver Maps Want to know more about using Naver Maps in South Korea? We also recommend reading the following blog posts. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Feeling pressured to use Naver Maps (네이버 지도) instead of Google Maps while living in or visiting South Korea? Many valid reasons exist for this pressure. Time to explore the differences between these two map systems that provide different levels of access to information in Korea. Culture Shock Around Map Apps in Korea During our research in satisfaction with integration into South Korean life, we found technology important. For example, we found that a low adaptation to technology may negatively impact life satisfaction. Conversely, those who reported a high level of life satisfaction reported they adapted to localized technologies. This correlation felt important. Therefore, South of Seoul volunteers compiled the following blog post. We want to support new arrivals’ understanding of how adapting to Naver Maps and letting go of Google Maps may be beneficial. Important Information Regarding Google Maps v. WAZE Google purchased WAZE in 2013. The WAZE headquarters exist in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Originally, users could easily add information into WAZE and provide a great deal of user feedback. Additionally, Google left WAZE to manage their information on separate systems. However, in December of 2022, Google publicly announced they started merging Waze. This meant Google consolidated the Waze team. Google Maps and WAze now exist under the larger Geo division, which oversees Google Maps, Google Earth, and Street View. WAZE Access and Functionality Continue to Decline Additionally, the conflicts in Ukraine and other countries impacted how Google monitored WAZE. For example, Google adjusts the live update capabilities WAZE app or public pins in such regions at times. This change appears to have also occurred in South Korea when Google suspended real-time searches in South Korea. In short, as Google continues to merge WAZE and Google Maps, WAZE works less and less effectively in South Korea each month. Additional Reading Before we dig into information about Naver Maps and Google Maps we encourage you to also read our supplements blogs. We don’t want to gaslight you. You will face very real challenges adapting to localized technology solutions. Problems do exist and you need all the information to make that adaptation as smooth as possible. Ok, now lets get started with learning more about how Naver Maps compares to Google Maps in South Korea. Why Choose Naver Maps Over Google Maps? While Google Maps is popular worldwide, it has limited functionality in South Korea. This occurs due to government restrictions on mapping data based on Google Corps. refusal to protect privacy and information for Korean citizens and government facilities. As a result, Naver Maps is the go-to tool for locals and foreigners alike, providing more accurate directions, real-time data, and comprehensive local information. Key Features of Naver Maps v. Google Maps Naver Maps (네이버 지도) offers various features that enhance navigation, information discovery, and overall user experience in South Korea. Here’s a look at some of the most important features, with their Korean terminology, that make it a powerful tool for navigating South Korea. Many Naver Features Require You to Be A Legel Resident of South Korea If you are a tourist, live in Korea illegally, or hold SOFA-status without an FRC, you do not hold legal residency in South Korea. This could give you limited access to some of Naver Maps features. We have created a column called “Korean Phone/ID required” that provides limited insight into what Naver Maps features may experience restrictions. Feature Name Naver Term Naver MapsExperience Google Maps Comparison Korean Phone/IDRequired Place Search and Business Listings 장소 검색 및 비즈니스 목록 Google Maps offers business listings but lacks integration with local Naver Blog reviews, resulting in fewer local insights for Korean businesses. You basically just get tourist-focused information. Google Maps offers business listings but lacks integration with local Naver Blog reviews, resulting in fewer local insights for Korean businesses. You basically just get tourist focused information. No for viewing listings. No for saving listings. However, you do need a Naver ID. Yes for some detailed reviews and blog links. Navigation and Route Planning 길찾기 및 경로 계획 Provides driving directions, walking, and cycling routes with real-time traffic updates. Route options include eco-friendly and toll-free choices. Offers detailed and real-time public transit info for subways, buses, and trains with real-time updates (실시간 업데이트) on arrival times, delays, and platform details. No for route planning. Yes for saving custom routes. Public Transit Information 대중교통 정보 Google Maps Street View is limited in Korea, making Naver Maps’ comprehensive views more valuable for local exploration. Google Maps shows transit options but lacks the detailed schedules and real-time data that Naver Maps provides for Korean public transportation. No for transit info. Yes for saving favorite transit points. Street View and 3D Maps 거리뷰 및 3D 지도 Street View and 3D maps offer detailed visuals of locations and landmarks, enabling users to familiarize themselves with destinations in advance. Users can read reviews and leave star ratings, linked to Naver Blogs for detailed customer feedback. No for accessing street view and 3D maps. User Reviews and Ratings 사용자 리뷰 및 평점 Naver Maps features local reviews that offer deeper insights into Korean businesses. Don’t get trapped in the tourist reviews. Google Maps has a review system, but Naver Maps features local reviews that offer deeper insights into Korean businesses. Don’t get trapped in the tourist reviews. No and Yes. You can leave reviews with a limited access Naver Account through Facebook sign-in. However, certain tools may be restricted. Multilingual Support 다국어 지원 English is available, though some features and reviews are only in Korean. Additional language options include Japanese and Chinese. However, the English version has many bugs. Google Maps offers broader multilingual support worldwide, but Naver Maps in Korea provides more localized content relevant to the area. We can’t stress how much more information is on Naver. No for language settings.Yes for account-based multilingual features. Parking and Gas Station Information 주차 및 주유소 정보 Displays parking locations and gas stations with availability and pricing details, ideal for navigating urban areas in Korea. If you use English Naver maps you still need to search fo these things using Korean. Google Maps includes similar parking and gas station info, but Naver Maps provides more accurate, localized data for drivers in South Korea. No for parking and gas station details. Food Delivery Integration 음식 배달 연동 Integrated with food delivery, allowing users to place orders directly through their system. Google Maps lacks direct integration with Korean delivery services, making Naver Maps the more convenient option for food ordering in South Korea. Yes for delivery orders. You need a Korean phone number, FRC, and bank account. Saving Places for Future Reference 장소 저장 Users can bookmark locations and organize them into folders for easy access. Ideal for planning regular visits or trip itineraries. Google Maps offers similar “Save” and “Lists” features, but Naver Maps provides better organization tailored for Korean navigation needs. No (Naver account is required) for saving and organizing places. You can use a Facebook Login for this. However, you may experience certain limitations. Making Reservations 예약 Users can make restaurant reservations, hotel reservations, and book services with real-time availability and confirmation. Google Maps allows booking through third-party apps. Naver Maps is integrated with local services like CatchTable for seamless reservations. Yes for reservations. You need a Korean phone number, FRC, and bank account. Viewing Menus 메뉴 Many restaurant listings include menus with images, prices, and links to Naver Blog reviews for food and pricing details. Google Maps also has menu features, but Naver Maps offers more comprehensive local menu info and user-uploaded food photos. We hate the menus in Naver Maps. No for viewing menus. Yes for user-generated content links. Convenience Facilities and Services 편의시설 및 서비스 Displays business listings have a section for convenience facilities such as Wi-Fi (와이파이), parking, restrooms, wheelchair access, pet-friendly options, and outdoor seating. Google Maps includes similar amenities info, however, Google’s prepackaged amenity options aren’t adjusted for Korean culture and often feel misleading. No for basic facility info. Yes for detailed service info linked to user profiles. A breakdown of some of Naver Maps most popular features compared to Google maps. Summary of Naver Maps Key Features Basically, international residents in South Korea love using a localized maps option for the following reasons: Comprehensive Local Data Naver Corp. excels in providing detailed and frequently updated local information that is specifically tailored to South Korea, surpassing Google Maps in accuracy and relevance within the region. Integration with Local Services Features like Naver Blog integration, direct reservation systems, and food delivery services make Naver Maps a more seamless tool for daily use in South Korea. Enhanced User Experience With features such as street view, 3D maps, and extensive user reviews linked to blogs, Naver Maps offers a richer and more immersive experience compared to Google Maps. Additional Features Exist We couldn’t possibly cover every features available in Naver Maps in one blog post. Please watch additional YouTube videos that may provide additional insight into tips and tricks for using Naver Maps during your time in South Korea. Map App Features Change Often Modern technology changes fast and often. You may get an update and the whole app works a little differently. To manage the stress try to stay present, try different buttons, ask for help, and laugh when you can. It’s always a learning experience. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Have you been asking what is Papago? Do you live in South Korea and need help navigating the language barrier? Let’s explore how this app developed specifically for translating to and from Korean could make your life easier. This might read like a paid ad, but it’s not. We just need folks in our community to know about Papago and all it’s features because it can directly improve quality of life. About Papago Papago is a translation app developed by Naver Corp. The app first launched in 2017 and has since become a core tool for international communication in Korea. These days, Papago offers extensive support for Korean-English translations along with other languages. Additionally, Papago utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and neural machine translation (NMT) to provide more accurate, context-sensitive translations compared to older translation methods. View this post on Instagram A post shared by S🇰🇷S: South Of Seoul (@south_of_seoul) Here’s an overview of Papago’s functionality, and various tools: Key Features of Papago The Papago website and app contain a number of features that you will want to fully utilize while living in South Korea. Text Translation Supports translation between Korean and 12 other languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Russian, German, and Italian. Users can type in text or paste text for quick translations, making it useful for understanding written content, such as official documents, web pages, or chat conversations. Pro-tip: Use simple sentences. Use specific words when possible. Avoid using slang, creative language, conjunctions, flowery language, or phrases that can’t be understood without context. Voice Translation Users can speak into the app, and it will translate spoken words into text in the target language. Papago’s voice recognition system is designed to understand common accents, making it accessible for people from diverse backgrounds. Pro-tip: Talk slowly. Use simple sentences. Use specific words when possible. Avoid using slang, creative language, conjunctions, flowery language, or phrases that can’t be understood without context. Allow the translation app time to process. Cultural Tuned Image Translation Papago’s image translation feature is highly optimized for reading and translating Korean text within images, such as street signs, restaurant menus, and product labels. It can recognize a wide range of Korean fonts and styles, which makes it more reliable for deciphering the types of text commonly encountered in Korea. You can’t imagine how important this little detail becomes. Having an app that can handle all the font variations feel critical to us. Although Google Translate also offers image translation, it may struggle with certain Korean fonts or styles commonly used in Korea, such as handwritten Hangul or stylized characters. Conversation Mode This mode is designed for real-time bilingual conversations. This alone should be the reason you download the app. Users can place the phone between two speakers, press the button for the language speaking, and the app will listen, translate and the screen. This is great for situations like doctor’s appointments, business meetings, or daily interactions with people who speak different languages. Conversation mode supports Korean-English and Korean-Japanese, among others, making it practical for use in daily life. Pro-tip: Talk slowly. Use simple sentences. Use specific words when possible. Allow the translation app time to process. Handwriting Translation Papago offers a handwriting feature. Users can write out Korean or other language characters, which the app will then translate. This helps recognize unfamiliar Korean characters or names that might not be easy to type out. It also helps with the notes from your co-workers you can’t understand. Before Papago, we would spend hours trying to understand handwritten notes from parents. Now we just take a photo and Papago reads the handwriting. Dictionary and Phrasebook The app has an integrated dictionary and phrasebook with common phrases and vocabulary that users can quickly refer to, enhancing their ability to communicate in Korean and learn new phrases. For example, the phrasebook includes phrases across various categories, such as greetings, dining, shopping, and emergency situations, providing quick assistance in daily interactions. Offline Translation For travelers and residents without reliable internet access, Papago provides an offline mode for Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese translations. Users can download language packs to use the translation features without an internet connection. Therefore, if you don’t have unlimited data, you want to consider using the offline mode. That said, your phone will need storage available to download the offline data. Hanja (한자) Support Papago offers Hanja (한자) support, translating these Chinese characters used in some Korean contexts into both modern Korean and other languages. This feature is helpful for anyone trying to understand older Korean texts, some symbols on menus, some bathroom signs, and official documents where Hanja may be used. Honestly, plenty of Hanja get sprinkled through Korean life and you need a translator that can handle it. Google Translate doesn’t have a feature specifically for Hanja, so users may need to use additional tools to translate these characters if they encounter them in Korean text. Translation of Korean Slang and Informal Speech Papago has a greater understanding of Korean slang, colloquialisms, and honorifics, making it better suited for translating casual or informal speech. This helps users understand more contemporary or casual Korean phrases that are often not in standard dictionaries. More specifically, it makes Papapgo much better at translating text messages from friends, information from co-workers, or online comments. Why International Residents Chose Papago Now that you understand the key features of Papago, let’s summarize the key factors that make international residents choose the app for integrating into Korean life: Hopefully, we created a solid case for downloading Papapo. However, we also recommend reading more about the app here: South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Trying to use the Naver Maps app with the English interface? Struggling to find information? Noticing a weird lack of parking or Korean restaurants? English speakers in Korea encounter several common issues when using Naver Maps. In this post, we will talk about Naver Maps and how it handles English UX/UI and the data you search. We LOVE Naver Maps in Korean but we want to be honest about the issues for English language users. About Naver Maps Naver Maps is Korea’s most popular navigation app. Created by Naver Corp., the country’s largest web portal created specifically for South Korea. Naver Maps helps you find places to go, get directions, and explore locations in South Korea. The Korea-specific navigation site & app show options for routes to places by car, bus, subway, motorbike, ferry, cycle, or by foot. Though Naver Maps may seem tricky at first, it works a lot like Google Maps and is very useful once you get used to it. However, if you don’t speak Korean, getting used to Naver Maps first requires understanding the issues in the English version and how to overcome them. The Following Article is Information and NOT Judgement It’s wonderful that Naver Corp. works to provide any type of English language support. The problems that exist for the English language interface make sense and eventually, as technology improves, such issues will fade away. However, right now they exist and we need to understand them. Also, Naver is NOT just trying to make things work for English speakers, the system also needs to work for Chinese and Japanese speakers. It’s a VERY complex issue so we can’t expect the system to be flawless. Information Regarding English Naver Maps Changes Quickly Please understand, that this article attempts to explain the complexity and technological issues behind building cross-language/cultural apps. Everything about the following information may feel difficult to grasp and tedious to understand. Information on this topic changes constantly as technology changes so this only represents where we are at with English Naver Maps in the fall of 2024. However, we hope it helps you create a framework for problem-solving. Of course, if English Naver has issues, why not use Google? Let’s talk about that. Naver Maps Instead of Google Maps The reason you need to use Naver Maps instead of Google Maps is that Google Maps doesn’t work properly in Korea. This problem relates to the Korean Spatial Information Management Act. Under such legislation, companies can’t export domestic geographical information. Since Google refuses to respect such regulations Korea does not share their data with them and Google can’t offer navigation information. Additionally, Korean businesses and society don’t function off of Google for many reasons. This means that information on Google is limited and often inaccurate because local people don’t maintain the information on Google well. In the end, Naver just works better and there is no reason to use Google other than an unwillingness to adapt. Naver Maps is Available as a Website & App Naver Corp. offers Naver Maps as a website or as an app. Since you will need the information for navigating, we recommend downloading the app and paying close attention to this article. Most folks use the app and that’s what we will be referring to throughout this blog post. The app is somewhat “new” and still needs work. Launch of Naver Maps in English Due to the Olympics in 2018, Naver Corp. released the English language Naver Maps interface to the public. Their target audience remains tourists. Some online information reports that Naver Corps had aspects of Naver Maps in English as early as 2010, but that’s not what the lived experience reflected during that time. We didn’t experience an English interface for Naver Maps until the Olympics. When the English Language version of Naver Maps was released, it was terrible to use. Therefore, those of us already living in Korea and using Naver Maps at the time didn’t adapt to the English version. In fact, many people who live in Korea semi-permanently don’t use the English language interface because it feels inconvenient. English Naver Maps Still Lags Behind As of 2024, six years later, Naver Maps still functions like a Frankenstein’s monster with different aspects of Korean and English UX/UI cobbled together. What do we mean by this statement? For example, the amount of Korean used in “English” Naver Maps feels so substantial many people think they are still using Naver Maps in Korean. Let’s dig deeper into how Naver Corp. created English Naver Maps and why it remains a mix of two languages. We will break this down into two parts: 1) the hard-coded English interface and 2) bi-language data management. A Hard-coded English User Interface The English version of Naver Maps has a hard-coded interface. To hard-code something means that it doesn’t change. So, in theory, the English user interface is hard-coded to remain in English all the time. The following images show what should be hard-coded into the English Naver Maps. Here are examples of what SHOULD be consistent in English. Some Things You THINK Are Hard Coded Are Not When we have to jump between the “English” and “Korean” versions of Naver Maps some English or Korean becomes unstable. For example, our Korean Naver Maps interface sometimes starts randomly populating things in English instead of Korean if we switch between the two. This usually happens in the horizontal sliding lists and not the menus. Therefore, we suggest not jumping between the Korean and English versions often. English Interface Choices Based on Tourist-Focused Assumptions Naver Maps seems to focus its English translations on what it thinks foreign tourists will need, rather than what long-term residents might find useful. This means many important features for residents are either missing or poorly translated. For example: However, features mainly used by locals, such as detailed parking options or resident-focused tools, are often not translated. As a result, while navigating Naver Maps, you might suddenly find yourself in the Korean interface when trying to access certain features. This switch can be confusing and stressful, especially if you’re not familiar with Korean. Let’s talk more about why such mixed language systems exist. Naver Maps Bi-language Data Management. When discussing the issues with the Korean database in Naver Maps being searchable in English, we all need to understand the technical issues involved. Understanding the invisible fight helps us adjust and find solutions in real life. Database Structure and Language Encoding The primary issue lies in how data is stored in Naver’s database. Naver Maps primarily uses Hangul (Korean script) for place names, addresses, and business listings. These entries are not inherently designed for English search queries. When a user searches in English, the system has to convert or match English input with Korean entries. This can be problematic because: Search Algorithm Limitations Naver Maps’ search engine was primarily designed for Korean users, so its search algorithms are optimized to process Korean language and culture inputs. When the search engine receives queries in English, several issues can arise: Limited Data Localization While major points of interest (tourist destinations, landmarks, etc.) might have English names associated with them, many local businesses, small restaurants, and lesser-known places do not. This inconsistency makes it hard for English speakers to access the same level of detail available to Korean users. Inadequate Language Translation Support Although Naver uses a translation service (Papago), it is not tightly integrated into the search function to facilitate seamless searches across languages. For a user searching in English, the translation layer might not be precise enough to yield accurate results. Place Name Variability (This is a BIG Issue) Place names in South Korea can vary significantly depending on the Romanization standard used, or even how names are colloquially referred to. Without a consistent matching system between Romanized names and their Hangul counterparts, it’s difficult to ensure search results align with what English-speaking users expect. Notice in the graphic below that these two businesses that focus on international residents have almost unsearchable names in English. Regional Dialects and Variations Korean place names might differ depending on the region (e.g., Jeju vs. Seoul), and the dialectal differences might not translate well into English. Naver Maps may struggle to interpret English queries that map to region-specific terms. The issue essentially boils down to the complexity of language differences, database structure, and insufficient localization for English-language users on a platform primarily designed for Korean speakers. Addressing these technical challenges requires significant investment in translation integration, better search algorithms, and improved data curation. Impact of UX/UI and Data Managment on English User Experience As you can imagine, the issues regarding the English lanaguage UX/UI and data manatment create a complicated English language user experience. Let’s talk about the stress you may feel if you can’t use the Korean version of Naver Maps. This following list is not exhaustive. You many find many other surprises along the way. Additionally, technology changes often and by the time you read this aricle some of these issue may be fixed. Incomplete or Inconsistent English Information Search Function Limitations Navigation and Directions Issues Limited Information for Foreign Culture Difficulties with Offline Maps Korean Culture Focused User Interface Issues with Geolocation and Addresses Lack of Integration with International Apps Challenges with Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services How to Overcome These Issues Now, at South of Seoul we try to always present solutions when talking about issues. We use the following systems for Use Korean for Search Whenever possible, try to search using Korean place names (in Hangul) to get more accurate results. You can use tools like Google Translate or Naver Papago to convert English names into Hangul. Use Translation Tools To search in Korean, utilize Naver Papago or Google Translate to instantly translate sections of the map or directions that are still in Korean. Learn How to Source Korean Keywords Use the Naver keywords for different businesses and hashtags you find in Instagram to expand your searching abilities. Some businesses have entered keywords in Naver and you can find them on the Info page. The image below shows you this. Learn to Read Hangeul Even knowing how to read Hangul can significantly improve your user experience. You can learn to read Hangeul pretty quickly through YouTube videos and other online resources. Using English Language Naver Maps By combining these strategies with careful use of the English interface, you can navigate the challenges of Naver Maps more effectively while living or traveling in South Korea. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking for the best apps for life in South Korea? Here is a list of our volunteers favorite apps. If we are missing one, tell us!

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