Free Call to South Korea from US — $0.027/min (2026)
Call South Korea free with KakaoTalk (97% market share — NOT WhatsApp). Calling a Korean number? BubblyPhone $0.027/min for mobiles. Rate comparison, +82 dialing guide, KST time zone, carrier info.
South Korea has the best internet infrastructure on the planet — 5G everywhere, blazing-fast LTE in every subway car, and near-universal smartphone ownership. But the app landscape is completely different from the West: KakaoTalk is king, not WhatsApp. Understanding this is the key to free calls with Korean contacts.
Whether you're calling family in Seoul, a business in Busan, or friends in Incheon, here's every option from free to the cheapest paid rates.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. KakaoTalk — The ONLY App That Matters in Korea
Forget WhatsApp. In South Korea, KakaoTalk has 97% market penetration — nearly every Korean uses it. Voice calls (free), video calls (free), group calls, and even VoIP to phone numbers (KakaoTalk Call). It's the equivalent of WhatsApp, iMessage, and Zoom combined. If you want to call someone in Korea for free, install KakaoTalk.
Pro tip: KakaoTalk is available on iOS, Android, and desktop. Create an account with your phone number. Your Korean contact will be thrilled you made the effort — it shows you understand Korean culture.
2. LINE — Second Popular Choice
LINE is used in Korea, though far less than KakaoTalk. It's more popular among Koreans who have Japanese connections. Free voice and video calls work well. Not the default, but a solid option.
3. FaceTime — For Korean iPhone Users
South Korea has an iPhone market share of ~30%(Samsung dominates since it's a Korean company). If your Korean contact uses an iPhone, FaceTime audio and video calls are free. But don't assume they have an iPhone — the odds favor Samsung/Android.
4. Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp
Almost nobody in South Korea uses WhatsApp — it has less than 2% market share. Facebook Messenger is more common but still a distant second to KakaoTalk. These are only useful if your Korean contact specifically uses them (perhaps because they lived abroad).
Calling Korean Phone Numbers — Moderate Rates
South Korea is a mid-range calling destination. Rates are higher than Europe but reasonable for Asia:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.03/min | $0.02/min | US Google account required |
| BubblyPhone | $0.027/min | $0.027/min | Browser, iOS, Android — cheapest for mobiles |
| Rebtel | $0.04/min | $0.03/min | Unlimited plans available |
| Viber Out | $0.043/min | $0.043/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| KeepCalling | $0.039/min | $0.019/min | Good value for landlines |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.00-3.50/min | $1.00-3.50/min | Up to 130x more expensive |
Our honest take: For Korean mobiles, BubblyPhone ($0.027/min) beats Google Voice ($0.03/min). For Korean landlines, Google Voice ($0.02/min) is slightly cheaper than BubblyPhone ($0.027/min). But honestly? Install KakaoTalk and your calls are free. Nearly every Korean uses it.
How to Dial South Korea from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 82 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+82 + number
# Example — calling a Seoul landline:
+82 2 1234 5678
# Example — calling a Korean mobile:
+82 10 1234 5678
# Example — calling Busan:
+82 51 123 4567
Important: Korean numbers start with 0 domestically. When dialing from the US, drop the leading 0: 02 becomes +82 2 (Seoul), 010 becomes +82 10 (mobile). Korean mobile numbers almost always start with 010.
Major Area Codes
- Seoul: 02
- Busan: 051
- Incheon: 032
- Daegu: 053
- Daejeon: 042
- Gwangju: 062
- Gyeonggi (Suwon): 031
- Jeju Island: 064
Carriers & Mobile
- 010: All Korean mobile numbers start with 010
- SK Telecom: Largest carrier (~50% share)
- KT (Korea Telecom): Second largest
- LG U+: Third carrier
- 5G: South Korea was first to launch 5G — coverage is exceptional nationwide
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family or friends in Korea
KakaoTalk — free, and it's what your Korean contacts already use daily. Install it, create an account, and you'll connect instantly. Don't bother with WhatsApp — Koreans don't use it.
Calling a Korean business landline
Google Voice ($0.02/min) is cheapest for landlines. BubblyPhone ($0.027/min) if you don't have a Google account. A 30-minute call costs $0.60 or $0.81.
Calling a Korean mobile without KakaoTalk
BubblyPhone ($0.027/min) beats Google Voice ($0.03/min) for Korean mobiles. But this scenario is rare — almost every Korean has KakaoTalk.
Calling a Korean exchange student in the US
KakaoTalk — they're already using it to call home. It works in both directions. Most Korean students in the US still use KakaoTalk as their primary messaging app.
Tips for Calling South Korea
- Install KakaoTalk — seriously — it's the single most important thing for communicating with anyone in Korea. 97% penetration means everyone from teenagers to grandparents uses it. Available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac
- South Korea is 14 hours ahead of EST (KST, UTC+9). When it's 8 AM in New York, it's 10 PM in Seoul. Best window: 7-9 AM EST (9-11 PM KST) for evening calls, or 7-9 PM EST (9-11 AM KST next day) for morning calls
- WhatsApp barely exists in Korea — less than 2% market share. If you send a Korean person a WhatsApp message, they may not even have the app. KakaoTalk or LINE are the way to go
- Korea has the world's best internet — average speeds exceed 200 Mbps, 5G is everywhere (even in subway tunnels). VoIP and video call quality from Korea is exceptional. If call quality is bad, the problem is on your US end
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call Korean numbers, switch to BubblyPhone ($0.027/min), Google Voice ($0.02-0.03/min), or KakaoTalk (free)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call South Korea for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a Korean phone number?
What is the country code for South Korea?
Why doesn't anyone in Korea use WhatsApp?
What's the best time to call South Korea from the US?
Call South Korea for $0.027/min
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +82. No app needed.
Try Free — Call South Korea Now