Seoul is one of the cities where a local friend makes the biggest difference. Menus without English, neighbourhoods that change by the block, and a going-out culture that's hard to find on your own. "Rent a friend in Korea" is searched by visitors who want that, and by Koreans who'd like to be paid for it.
What a day with a Seoul Local Friend looks like#
| Plan | Why a local matters |
|---|---|
| Markets | Gwangjang's food alleys, Namdaemun, with someone who knows what to order |
| Barbecue and the dishes you can't order alone | Where locals go, not the tourist strip |
| Nights | Hongdae, Seongsu, a pojangmacha tent, a noraebang |
| A baseball game | Cheering with the crowd, chicken and beer |
| Korean practice | An hour of conversation with a native speaker |
How it works#
Browse Local Friends in Seoul, message one in the app, agree a plan, meet in public. Each sets their own hourly rate; worldwide most charge $15 to $50 an hour (what moves the price). It's company, not dating: is renting a friend weird? answers the question honestly.
Seoul vs Tokyo#
Japan's rental-friend industry is older and better known (how it works in Japan). Seoul has fewer agencies and more direct, app-based arrangements, which usually means lower prices. Choosing between the two cities? Tokyo vs Seoul.
For Koreans: getting paid#
If you live in Seoul and speak some English, you're what visitors are searching for. Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a short bio, set your rate and your free times, and reply quickly: travellers choose the first local who answers. Roavi takes no commission. Paid friend jobs describes the work.
For the city itself: things to do in Seoul and is Seoul safe?.
Live in Seoul? Get paid to show visitors your city.
Become a Local FriendAlso in the region: Taiwan and China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a friend in Korea?
Yes. On Roavi, Seoul Local Friends offer their time by the hour: showing you the city, eating with you, translating, or practising Korean. It's companionship, not dating, and anything else is banned.How much does it cost to rent a friend in Seoul?
Each person sets their own rate. Worldwide, most Local Friends charge $15 to $50 an hour. Meals, tickets and transport are agreed before you meet.Is rent a friend legal in Korea?
Paying someone for their time and company, to show you around or eat with you, is legal, like hiring a guide or tutor. Intimate services are a different matter and not what this is.How do Koreans get paid as a Local Friend?
Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a short bio in English, set your hourly rate and free times. Travellers message you; you meet in person in Seoul. Roavi takes no commission.What do visitors do with a local friend in Seoul?
Gwangjang and Namdaemun markets, Korean barbecue and the dishes you can't order without help, Hongdae and Seongsu at night, a baseball game, a palace in hanbok, and conversation practice.