--- static_export_time: "2026-08-11T15:12:07+00:00" title: "How to Localize Your App in Korean" description: "Keep these tips & best practices in mind when localizing your app metadata and creatives for the Korean app market." url: "/en/aso-blog/how-to-localize-your-app-in-korean" locale: "en-US" image: "https://www.apptweak.com/img/2023/11/Localize-Korean-2.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&q=95" --- # How to Localize Your App for Korea ![Sarah B. Touimi](/img/2023/03/sarah_touimi.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&w=200&h=200&fit=crop)by  **Sarah B. Touimi** Former Senior App Growth Consultant at AppTweak Last updated on February 27 2024 — 10 min read Summarize with AI Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter South Korea has become one of the world’s biggest app markets with a revenue of $72 million in 2020 and a 11% YOY growth. Localizing your apps and games into Korean then becomes a must to succeed in this market. So, what do you need to take into account when localizing your app/game for South Korea? We’ve gathered all the information and tips you need to know to localize your app/game successfully. * * * ## Mobile landscape in Korea ### iOS vs Google Play Contrary to Western markets, **Android dominates** the South Korean mobile market, which **represents nearly 80%** of the market. With Android devices dominating the market, Android app stores other than Google Play stand out, **especially One Store**. In fact, according to IGAWorks, a local market research agency, the market share of the South Korean app store _One Store_ has reached a record high of 18.4% in August 2020. So, while **Google Play remains the most popular** and used Android store in Korea, looking at **other local Android app stores** is **worthwhile**. As for iOS, it still represents a quite significant portion of Korean users. **If you are thinking about launching your app/game in Korea** , we suggest to make it available for both Android and iOS, but keep in mind that **Android should be the priority**. ### Top apps & games in Korea **Local apps and games dominate the market in South Korea**. In fact, when looking at the top charts, we see mostly local developers, such as Netmarble, NEXON Company, KAKAO, NAVER Corp., 4399 KOREA, Highbrow, and others prevailing. Still, this domination by local developers does not mean that Western apps cannot succeed in South Korea. Plenty of **foreign studios have had success from localizing their apps/games** in the South Korean market, including King, Playrix, and Supercell with games such as _Candy Crush Saga_, _Homescapes_, and _Clash Royale_. In terms of app preferences, **South Koreans lean more toward** **shopping, finance, productivity apps,** **as well as dating apps** (but this category is mostly dominated by local developers). There is also a growing interest for fitness apps and language learning apps, especially the ones for English. South Korea is the **#4 biggest game market worldwide** with $5.6 billion in game revenue. The most popular game genres for men are RPG, more particularly **MMORPG** , **action** , and **sports games** for which the interest continues to grow. On the other hand, women tend to have a preference for puzzle, board, and casual games. The South Korean market represents a great opportunity for mobile developers, especially game developers. But it is a very competitive market dominated by local developers, and Korean users have high expectations. So, it is necessary to not only translate your app/game but to [adapt it to the local content trends](/en/aso-blog/creative-optimization-localization-with-apptweak) and **cultural nuances** to boost users’ interest. To make it easy for you, we have listed the elements to consider when localizing your app/game for Korea. ## Language A majority of Korean app store users are moderately proficient in English, so they prefer the games/app to be in their native language. - **Local app developers** hold a strong position in both apps and games. Accustomed to localized content, Korean users show clear preference for such offerings. Therefore, if you want to compete effectively with these local developers and attract a dedicated user base, it’s crucial to **localize your app**. Particularly for **games** , localization can significantly **enhance user engagement** by making them feel more connected to the storyline. - Turning to the specifics of the Korean language, the alphabet, known as _Hangul_, is written from left to right, akin to Latin languages. Interestingly, one _Hangul_ character generally occupies the space equivalent to two English characters, but it still counts as a single character. This brings us to an important point about translation: if your translated content doesn’t fit, it’s not advisable to simply adjust the font size. Why? Because it could compromise readability. Considering the choice of fonts for _Hangul_, _Dodum_ and _Nanum_ stand out due to their high readability. That said, don’t limit yourself to these options. You can **explore other fonts** as well, provided they offer full support for Korean characters. In summary, **localizing your app for the Korean market** involves taking into account both **cultural** and **linguistic** factors. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to compete with local developers and win over Korean users. - _Hangul_, with its unique grammatical structure, various tones, and nuances, presents translation challenges. **Word order is crucial**. For instance, instead of saying, “Select 4 out of 10 gadgets,” we should say, “Out of 10 gadgets, select 4,” as the larger number precedes. So, we advise collaborating with a native speaker for translation to ensure optimal tone, word order, and font selection. ## Metadata ### 1. Title & subtitle/short description We highly recommend to **translate your app title** when you enter the Korean market. In fact, 75% of the top 25 apps/games in both the App Store and Google Play in Korea have their **name in Korean or in both Korean and English separated either by a dash, a space, or with a language version in parentheses**. ![](/img/images/2020/10/28/Screenshot 2020-10-23 at 11.37.08.png?auto=format,compress&q=75&w=1200)As opposed to the Chinese market, some popular international brands/games such as _Instagram_, _Netflix_, _YouTube_, _Google_, _Minecraft_, _Pokemon Go_, and others have kept their original names in English. But while the name is kept in English, they have all localized their subtitles and short descriptions to Korean. In fact, as mentioned earlier, **Koreans prefer apps and games in their own language** , so **it is recommended to translate your subtitle/short description to Korean**. ### 2. Keyword field/long description Koreans generally favor apps and games in their **native language**. However, they are comfortable with certain English words like “ok” and “cool” remaining untranslated. Koreans have a moderate proficiency in English. Including English keywords like “game”, “puzzle”, “movie”, “shopping”, “watch”, and “play” in the iOS keyword field can drive significant traffic. So, it’s worthwhile to **mix Korean and English keywords** in the keyword string for Apple. For Android, we recommend using _Hangul_ in the long description despite its low read rate, as **Koreans prefer their native language**. However, it’s crucial to achieve the **right keyword density** for high volume, relevant keywords for better ranking and association with similar apps/games. For high volume English keywords, consider targeting them in **visible metadata like title and subtitle** , but only if your app/game converts better in English than Korean. Use Apple Search Ads on iOS to test which keyword version works best in the metadata. [Read through these steps to ensure your app gets the organic visibility it deserves](/en/aso-blog/how-to-choose-the-best-keywords-for-your-ios-android-app) ## Creatives Koreans lean toward complex, **anime-style creatives in icons** , **screenshots** , **videos** , and **feature graphics**. Images imbued with Korean culture draw Koreans effectively. **[App localization](/en/aso-blog/guide-to-app-store-localization)** and use of **Asian models** enhance appeal. Similarly, in gaming, the popular _aegyo_ style, akin to Japan’s _kawai_, captivates Korean users. Aegyo involves cute, childlike actions and expressions, which you can integrate into game characters and plots for added appeal. So consider incorporating anime elements or Asian models in your creative assets to attract more Korean users. ### 1. Icon Koreans enjoy games with robust **character collection** and **leveling systems** , typical of RPGs. Hence, game icons often depict a **character**. An analysis of the top ten games in the Games-Sport category reveals that 8 prominently feature a character in their icon. ### 2. Screenshots When designing your screenshots of apps for Korea, keep in mind the **significance of the color**. Certain colors, like **white** , **green/blue** , and **yellow** , carry **positive connotations** , while others, such as **black** and **red** , are seen **negatively** , despite being lucky in China. Interestingly, many Korean apps utilize the color **white** (symbolizes purity, innocence, and restraint) for their **screenshot backgrounds**. Also, a critical element to make sure to localize in screenshots is the currency. - Use the **Korean won (₩ or 원)** and not foreign currencies such as _$_ or _€_, and preferably not the acronym _KRW_. The price presentation should be straightforward, with no decimal points or digits for clarity and user convenience. For example, **use ₩ 2,200 or 2,200 원** rather than ₩ 2220.00. - When localizing your app screenshots in Korea, **use Korean/Asian models**. Making the app feel like it’s tailored for the Korean market enhances its appeal to users. - In contrast to the West’s preference for factual content, Korean game screenshots often showcase **intense character designs** or **action scenes**. Korean gamers favor games with **significant character collection** and leveling systems, like in RPGs – the most favored genre. Hence, striking images of various **in-game characters** and **levels** are more captivating. [Use these expert tips to design the best app screenshots](/en/aso-blog/how-to-optimize-your-app-screenshots) ### 3. Video **High-quality in-game graphics** and a wide range of **characters** and **levels** attract Korean users. Therefore, highlights these elements in your app preview videos. For instance, the Korean preview for _Angry Bird 2_ is similar to the U.S version, but it includes foreground characters with overlaid texts. #### Expert Tip For success in the Korean market, it’s essential to translate not only your app/game and metadata but also to give your **images/creatives a Korean touch**. Specifically for **games** , localization positions you to **compete with local developers** and enhances **gamer engagement with your storyline**. [Take a look at out step-by-step guide to app localization](/en/aso-blog/boost-app-downloads-with-localization-step-by-step-guide) ## Bonus tips to localize your app for Korea ### 1. Use emojis/stickers **Emojis** and **stickers** are highly effective in Korea, much like Japan, largely due to the countries’ shared history of cuteness. In fact, Korea’s online culture has, for a long time, placed a **strong emphasis on visuals and characterization**. So including special emojis to your UI campaigns or app page can have an **impact on your conversion rates**. ### 2. Social media login/messenger apps are popular in Korea **Social media login/messenger apps** are a must for your game to succeed in Korea. Most top Korean apps or games provide sign-in options via popular local social networks like Google, Naver, Kakao, and Facebook. These networks often have messaging apps integrated in them. This social aspect is crucial as it enables apps, particularly games, to readily connect with a substantial user base. ### 3. Leverage Google Play promotional content [Google Play’s promotional content](/en/aso-blog/what-are-google-play-liveops-best-practices-examples) allows you to highlight in-app content, major updates, or temporary events in your app/game across the store. This boosts user engagement, stimulates sales, and minimizes player drop-off. Typically, these updates occur biweekly, monthly, or quarterly, featuring in-game events or new content. To thrive in Korea, it’s crucial to **regularly update** and **promote** your **game’s promotional content** on social channels. Holidays present excellent opportunities for new in-game events as smartphone usage often increases, leading to profit growth from in-game purchases. - Key Korean holidays include **Seollal** (Lunar New Year, 24 – 26 January) and **Chuseok** (Korean Thanksgiving Day, 30 September – 2 October). - Some Western holidays are also important in Korea, including **New Year** and **Christmas**. ### 4. Avoid sensitive topics Unlike China, South Korea is a pretty liberal country in terms of freedom of expression and speech. Still, some topics are negatively received in the Korean culture, such as **violence and cruelty**. Also, **politics/politically sensitive histories** , especially related to the Korean war and relationships with China and Japan, are best to be avoided. For example, _Age of Empires_ had to release an update only for Korean users and change the course of history in its game because the Ministry of Information in Korea claimed that at no point in history do the armed Japanese forces invade the Korean Peninsula and seize power, like it was displayed in the game, even though historical documents indicate otherwise. * * * If you want to learn more about how AppTweak can help you with the localization process, don’t hesitate to start a 7-day free trial! [Start a 7-day free trial](https://app.apptweak.com/accounts/new) * * * by **Sarah B. Touimi** , Former Senior App Growth Consultant at AppTweak Sarah is a former Senior App Growth Consultant at AppTweak, helping apps increase their visibility and downloads. She has experience in digital Marketing and is passionate about new technology. She is a born entrepreneur! [ ![](/assets/resources/guides/app-store-keyword-research-guide/app-store-keyword-research-guide-thumb.jpg?auto=format,compress&q=75&w=329&h=214) Your Essential Toolkit for ASO Keyword Research A deep-dive into ASO keyword research. Learn how to find and prioritize your target keywords, localization and ASO best practices. 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