{"id":13,"date":"2026-03-26T07:53:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T07:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/korea-only-finds\/"},"modified":"2026-03-28T15:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T15:16:20","slug":"first-days","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/first-days\/","title":{"rendered":"First Days in Korea \u2014 Your Shopping Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n  .fd{max-width:800px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 20px;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;color:#334155}\n  .fd h1{font-size:28px;font-weight:800;color:#0f172a;margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.3}\n  .fd .lead{font-size:16px;color:#64748b;margin:0 0 28px;line-height:1.6}\n  .fd h2{font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#0f172a;margin:32px 0 12px;padding-top:16px;border-top:1px solid #e2e8f0}\n  .fd p{font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;margin:0 0 14px}\n  .fd a{color:#4f46e5}\n  .fd-day{background:#0f172a;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 20px;margin:20px 0 12px;color:#fff}\n  .fd-day h3{font-size:17px;font-weight:700;margin:0;color:#818cf8}\n  .fd-day p{font-size:13px;color:#94a3b8;margin:4px 0 0}\n  .fd-item{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:10px;padding:14px 16px;margin-bottom:8px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr auto;gap:8px;align-items:start}\n  .fd-item h4{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;color:#0f172a;margin:0 0 3px}\n  .fd-item .desc{font-size:12px;color:#64748b;line-height:1.5;margin:0}\n  .fd-item .where{font-size:11px;color:#4f46e5;margin-top:4px}\n  .fd-item .price{font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#4f46e5;text-align:right;white-space:nowrap}\n  .fd-item .unit{font-size:11px;color:#94a3b8;text-align:right}\n  .fd-box{background:#f8fafc;border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;margin:16px 0}\n  .fd-box.tip{background:#f0fdf4;border-color:#bbf7d0}\n  .fd-box.warn{background:#fffbeb;border-color:#fde68a}\n  .fd-box h4{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;color:#0f172a;margin:0 0 8px}\n  .fd-box p,.fd-box li{font-size:13px;line-height:1.6;color:#475569}\n  .fd-box ul{margin:0;padding-left:18px}\n  .fd-box li{margin-bottom:4px}\n  .fd-vs{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:16px 0}\n  .fd-vs-col{border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:10px;padding:14px}\n  .fd-vs-col h4{font-size:14px;font-weight:700;margin:0 0 8px}\n  .fd-vs-col.buy{background:#f0fdf4;border-color:#bbf7d0}\n  .fd-vs-col.buy h4{color:#166534}\n  .fd-vs-col.bring{background:#fef2f2;border-color:#fecaca}\n  .fd-vs-col.bring h4{color:#991b1b}\n  .fd-vs-col li{font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5}\n  .fd-vs-col ul{margin:0;padding-left:16px}\n  @media(max-width:768px){.fd-item{grid-template-columns:1fr}.fd-item .price{text-align:left}.fd-vs{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"fd\">\n<h1>First Days in Korea \u2014 Your Shopping Checklist<\/h1>\n<p class=\"lead\">You just landed. Your apartment is empty. You don&#8217;t know where anything is. Here&#8217;s exactly what to buy, where to get it, and what it costs \u2014 organized by when you&#8217;ll need it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fd-box warn\">\n<h4>\u26a0\ufe0f Before you shop online<\/h4>\n<p>Most online platforms need a Korean phone number. On Day 1, your best friends are physical stores: <strong>Daiso<\/strong> (household basics for \u20a91,000~\u20a95,000), <strong>convenience stores<\/strong> (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven on every block), and <strong>Emart\/Homeplus<\/strong> (big supermarkets). All accept foreign cards. Once you have a Korean SIM, online shopping opens up.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <!-- DAY 1 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fd-day\">\n<h3>Day 1 \u2014 Immediate survival<\/h3>\n<p>Get these within hours of arriving. All available at convenience stores or Daiso near your home.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Prepaid SIM card or eSIM<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Available at the airport or any CU\/GS25. Chingu Mobile and KT prepaid are popular. An eSIM from Airalo works if your phone supports it. You need a working number to register on any Korean app.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Airport booth \/ CU \/ GS25 \/ Airalo (eSIM)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a99,900~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">\/month<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Bottled water + basic snacks<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Any convenience store. Grab a few 2L bottles (\u20a91,200 each) and some triangle kimbap (\u20a91,500) to get through the first night. Look for 1+1 deals \u2014 buy one get one free.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">CU \/ GS25 \/ 7-Eleven<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a95,000~<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Basic toiletries<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap. Daiso has everything for \u20a91,000~\u20a93,000 each. Olive Young for better quality at 2-3x price. Don&#8217;t overbuy \u2014 you&#8217;ll have proper delivery access soon.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ Olive Young \/ convenience store<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a95,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">Daiso set<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Trash bags (\uc885\ub7c9\uc81c \ubd09\ud22c)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Korea uses paid designated trash bags \u2014 you can&#8217;t use regular bags. Different colors for general waste vs. food waste. Buy at any convenience store or supermarket. The bags are specific to your district (\uad6c).<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">CU \/ GS25 \/ Emart \u2014 ask for &#8220;\uc885\ub7c9\uc81c \ubd09\ud22c&#8221;<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a93,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">10-pack<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Power adapter (if needed)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Korea uses Type C\/F plugs (European-style round pins), 220V. If you&#8217;re from the US\/UK\/Japan, you need an adapter. Daiso has them. Your laptop charger probably handles 220V already \u2014 check the label.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ convenience store \/ airport<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a91,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">Daiso<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>  <!-- DAY 2-3 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fd-day\">\n<h3>Days 2-3 \u2014 Home basics<\/h3>\n<p>Once you have a SIM and can use Coupang\/Gmarket, order these. Or visit Emart\/Homeplus in person.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Bedding set (\uc774\ubd88\uc138\ud2b8)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Most Korean rentals come without bedding. A basic set (comforter + pillow + covers) on Coupang starts at \u20a925,000. Better quality around \u20a940,000-60,000. Search &#8220;\uc774\ubd88\uc138\ud2b8&#8221; or &#8220;bedding set&#8221; in the English app.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang Rocket \/ Emart \/ Homeplus<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a925,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">basic set<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Towels<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Pack of 5 basic towels on Coupang is around \u20a910,000. Daiso has individual face towels for \u20a91,000-3,000 each.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang \/ Daiso \/ Emart<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a910,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">5-pack<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Hangers + drying rack (\uac74\uc870\ub300)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Most Korean apartments don&#8217;t have dryers. You need a foldable drying rack (\uc811\uc774\uc2dd \uac74\uc870\ub300). Coupang has good ones for \u20a915,000-30,000. Essential item.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang \/ Daiso (hangers only) \/ Emart<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a915,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">drying rack<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Cleaning supplies<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">All-purpose cleaner, sponges, mop. Korean apartments have hard floors \u2014 get a floor mop (\ubc00\ub300), not a vacuum (yet). Daiso: mop \u20a95,000, sponges \u20a91,000, cleaner \u20a91,000-3,000.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ Coupang \/ convenience store<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a98,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">full set<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Basic cookware<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">One pot, one pan, basic utensils. If you&#8217;re in a goshiwon, shared kitchen may have these. Daiso frying pans start at \u20a95,000. Coupang has starter cookware sets \u20a920,000-40,000.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ Coupang \/ Emart<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a920,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">starter set<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Slippers (\uc2e4\ub0b4\ud654)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Koreans never wear outdoor shoes inside. Get a pair of indoor slippers immediately. Also useful: bathroom slippers (separate pair) since Korean bathrooms get wet.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ Coupang<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a91,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">Daiso<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>  <!-- DAY 4-7 --><\/p>\n<div class=\"fd-day\">\n<h3>Days 4-7 \u2014 Getting comfortable<\/h3>\n<p>The essentials are covered. Now make your apartment livable for the long term.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Air purifier (\uacf5\uae30\uccad\uc815\uae30)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Not optional in Korea. Fine dust (\ubbf8\uc138\uba3c\uc9c0) season runs roughly March-May and is serious. Budget: Samsung\/Winix\/Coway at \u20a989,000-199,000 on Coupang. Replace filters every 6 months (~\u20a915,000).<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang \/ HiMart \/ Emart<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a989,000~<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Humidifier (for winter) \/ Dehumidifier (for summer)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Korean winters are brutally dry (heating on all day). USB desk humidifiers from \u20a99,000. For summer, the humidity is intense \u2014 a small dehumidifier (\uc81c\uc2b5\uae30) is \u20a950,000-100,000. Buy the one matching your arrival season.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang \/ Daiso (small USB type)<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a99,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">USB type<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Shoe rack (\uc2e0\ubc1c\uc7a5)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Korean entryways (\ud604\uad00) are tiny. A stackable shoe rack keeps things organized. Coupang has slim multi-tier racks from \u20a915,000.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Coupang \/ Daiso \/ Ohouse<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a915,000~<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Storage boxes + closet organizers<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Korean closets are small. Stackable storage boxes (\uc218\ub0a9\ubc15\uc2a4) and hanging organizers make a big difference. Daiso has great options at \u20a91,000-5,000. Bigger items on Coupang or Ohouse.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ Coupang \/ Ohouse<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a93,000~<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-item\">\n<div>\n<h4>Lint roller (\ub3cc\ub3cc\uc774)<\/h4>\n<div class=\"desc\">Small thing, life-changing. Korean floor dust + shedding clothes = you&#8217;ll use this constantly. Refill rolls available everywhere. A Korean household essential.<\/div>\n<div class=\"where\">Daiso \/ convenience store \/ Coupang<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"price\">\u20a91,000~<\/div>\n<div class=\"unit\">Daiso<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Buy here vs. bring from home<\/h2>\n<p>Some things are genuinely cheaper or better in Korea. Others you should pack in your suitcase.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fd-vs\">\n<div class=\"fd-vs-col buy\">\n<h4>\u2705 Buy in Korea (cheaper\/better)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Skincare &amp; cosmetics \u2014 30-50% cheaper than abroad<\/li>\n<li>Electronics \u2014 Samsung\/LG often cheaper at source<\/li>\n<li>Stationery &amp; household goods \u2014 Daiso is unbeatable<\/li>\n<li>Instant food &amp; snacks \u2014 endless variety, very cheap<\/li>\n<li>Glasses\/contacts \u2014 fast, cheap, high quality<\/li>\n<li>Socks &amp; basic clothing \u2014 very affordable<\/li>\n<li>Rice cookers &amp; small appliances \u2014 Korean brands excel<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-vs-col bring\">\n<h4>\ud83e\uddf3 Bring from home (hard to find\/expensive)<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Deodorant (stick type) \u2014 Korea barely sells it<\/li>\n<li>Your specific medications \u2014 prescriptions differ<\/li>\n<li>Cheese &amp; dairy you love \u2014 imported = expensive<\/li>\n<li>Shoes above size 280mm (US 11+) \u2014 limited selection<\/li>\n<li>Clothing for larger body types \u2014 Korean sizing runs small<\/li>\n<li>Specific spices\/sauces from your cuisine<\/li>\n<li>Books in your language \u2014 hard to find physical copies<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-box tip\">\n<h4>\ud83d\udcb0 Week 1 total budget estimate<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Bare minimum (goshiwon, Daiso-heavy):<\/strong> \u20a980,000-120,000 (~$60-90 USD)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Comfortable setup (studio apartment):<\/strong> \u20a9200,000-350,000 (~$150-260 USD)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Full apartment setup (furniture included):<\/strong> \u20a9500,000-1,000,000+ (~$370-740+ USD)<\/p>\n<p>These estimates assume your apartment has basic appliances (stove, fridge, washing machine). Most Korean rentals include these.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"fd-box\">\n<h4>\ud83d\udcd6 Related guides<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/index.php\/getting-started\/\">How Korean Shopping Works<\/a> \u2014 understand the Tier 1\/2\/3 system<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/index.php\/smart-shopping-tips\/\">Foreign Card Guide<\/a> \u2014 which cards work where<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/index.php\/platform-guides\/\">Coupang Guide<\/a> \u2014 setup, English app, payment tips<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First Days in Korea \u2014 Your Shopping Checklist You just landed. Your apartment is empty. You don&#8217;t know where anything is. Here&#8217;s exactly what to buy, where to get it, and what it costs \u2014 organized by when you&#8217;ll need it. \u26a0\ufe0f Before you shop online Most online platforms need a Korean phone number. On [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25,"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions\/25"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketbuy.kr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}