How important are business cards in Korean business culture?

Business cards (명함, myeongham) remain extremely important in Korean business culture, even as digital networking grows. The card itself signals your status and the exchange ritual sets the tone for the relationship. Get them made before any business meeting, since showing up without one is genuinely awkward.

Where to get them made: Korean printing shops can produce 200 cards in 1 to 3 days for 15,000 to 80,000 won depending on quality. Major options include Snapsil (스냅실, online, design templates available, English UI possible), Photolab, Vistaprint Korea (English website), and PSCard. Local print shops in Jongno's Insadong area, Yongsan Yongsan Industrial Zone, or near university campuses offer fastest turnaround for in-person orders. For premium cards, Studio Concrete and Mookmamou specialize in design-forward cards starting around 100,000 won for 200.

Card design conventions: Korean side and English side (printed back-to-back is most common). Korean side at the top: company logo, your Korean name (translated phonetically), title, department, company address, phone numbers, email. English side mirrors all info. Korean phonetic name choices: Use a transliteration that flows naturally in Korean. Something like Maria Santos becomes 마리아 산토스 (mari-a san-to-seu). Many foreigners adopt a single Korean given name for ease (산토스 마리아 with Korean name first might feel more local). Get help from a Korean colleague to choose a name that sounds professional, not childlike. Standard size: 90mm x 50mm (Korean standard, slightly larger than US standard).

Exchange etiquette: Always carry your business card holder (명함 지갑, 10,000 to 50,000 won at department stores), not loose cards in your pocket. When meeting someone, present your card with both hands, slightly bowing. Position the Korean side facing the recipient (your text right-side up to them, so you read your text upside down). Receive their card with both hands, also slightly bowing. Take a moment to read it, since immediately pocketing is rude. Use both hands again when handling someone's card. If sitting at a meeting, place received cards on the table in front of you in the order people are sitting, which helps you remember names during the meeting. Never write on someone's card in their presence (you can later, privately, but in front of them is disrespectful).

Title conventions: Be precise about your role and seniority. Korean business is hierarchical, and titles communicate rank. Common titles: 사장 (CEO/President), 부사장 (Vice President), 전무 (Executive Director), 상무 (Managing Director), 부장 (General Manager), 차장 (Deputy General Manager), 과장 (Manager), 대리 (Assistant Manager), 사원 (Staff). For foreign companies, the English title is fine on the English side but match it to a Korean equivalent on the Korean side for clarity. If your title doesn't translate cleanly (e.g., 'Founder' or 'Principal'), use 대표 (representative) which conveys leadership.

When meeting Korean senior executives: Wear formal business attire (black or navy suit), arrive 10 minutes early, bow slightly when entering the room, wait to be invited to sit, and present your card after the senior person presents theirs. The eldest or most senior person at a meeting typically initiates business card exchange. If you're meeting multiple people, exchange cards with each person individually, starting with the most senior.

Digital business cards: KakaoTalk and 명함앱 (Card App) digital cards are increasingly common, especially among younger Korean professionals. After a physical exchange, many also share QR-coded contact info via Kakao or LinkedIn. But physical cards remain essential for the first meeting ritual.

Cultural insight: The way you handle the card exchange demonstrates your respect and cultural literacy. Koreans notice when foreigners do this correctly, and it earns immediate goodwill. Small mistakes are forgiven, but presenting a card with one hand while talking on your phone (real example) signals carelessness. Once exchanged, mention something about the company or the person's title to show you read their card. The 5-second pause to read and acknowledge is more powerful than any small talk.