Approximately 48% of Korean travel veterans feel they 'wish they could speak Korean'; only 14% studied before their trip

South Korea has long been a popular and accessible overseas travel destination. While there are many ways to enjoy the country—from gourmet food and shopping to sightseeing—many travelers have likely felt that they could have enjoyed their trip more if they understood even a little bit of Korean. Knowing basic phrases for ordering food, shopping, or asking for directions can significantly change the sense of security and enjoyment during a trip. But how many people actually consider learning Korean for their travels? To find out, we conducted a survey on the "necessity of Korean language for travel" in collaboration with the online Korean language service NEIGHBOR, targeting 154 men and women nationwide who have previously visited South Korea.

According to the survey, 48.1% of respondents said they had experienced moments where they wished they could speak Korean or were glad they could. Specific scenarios included ordering at restaurants, communicating at markets, and asking questions to staff. Some even noted the importance of language in emergencies, such as calling an ambulance. Conversely, only 13.6% of respondents had studied Korean before their trip. Among those who did, 66.7% used books or reference materials, followed by video content and self-study through dramas or K-pop. Finally, when asked if they would like to learn at least essential travel phrases, 55.2% expressed a positive interest, indicating a clear desire to enhance their travel experience through basic language skills.