The surest way to make friends in Korea is to join a group that meets regularly. Befriending people on the street is hard, and outside work or school you have to create the contact points.
Four routes
- Hobby clubs: easy conversation over shared interests (good for introverts)
- Language exchange: a Korean-foreigner mix, easy to enter
- Volunteering: a high ratio of good people and stable relationships
- Running clubs: you bond even with few words and it becomes routine
The 3-3-3 rule
Attend three times in a row, greet three people first, and follow up within three days. One-off meetings tend to stay acquaintances, and the person who sets the next plan makes the friend.
Practical guide to making friends via clubs, language exchange, volunteering, and running