For hagwon (학원) HR coordinators bringing English teachers to Korea, mobile setup is one of the first onboarding tasks. A Korean 010 number for KakaoTalk groups, working data for navigation, and a path to a long-term plan after the Alien Registration Card all need to be handled before classes start. This page describes how Kimchi Mobile supports hagwon group SIM setup.
Why hagwons use a group SIM workflow
- Pre-arrival readiness: teachers arrive with eSIM installed, ready to use immediately.
- KakaoTalk coordination: Korean 010 numbers let teachers join the school’s KakaoTalk group on day one.
- Reduced first-week friction: HR does not have to escort each teacher to a SIM kiosk or translate phone plans.
- Single billing or coverage period: the school can cover the initial prepaid window as part of the welcome package.
- ARC pathway support: teachers transition to a 12-month postpaid plan once the ARC is issued, often within the same workflow.
A typical hagwon onboarding timeline
- Before arrival, Kimchi Mobile sends eSIM QR codes to the HR contact or directly to teachers.
- Teachers install the eSIM on their phones using Wi-Fi at home before flying.
- On landing in Korea, teachers turn on the Kimchi Mobile line and have working data immediately.
- School orientation can rely on KakaoTalk for group coordination because every teacher already has a Korean number.
- After the ARC is issued (often a few weeks after arrival), teachers switch to a 12-month KT postpaid plan.
For background reading, see Korea eSIM before arrival, Korea eSIM activation, and Korea MVNO for foreigners. For step-by-step KakaoTalk setup, see Korean phone number for KakaoTalk.
What gets included in a hagwon group plan
- eSIM or physical SIM card per teacher, depending on device compatibility
- Korean 010 number with voice and SMS for KakaoTalk and Korean services
- Korean mobile data plan tier suitable for the school year
- Optional transition to a 12-month KT postpaid plan after ARC issuance
- English-speaking customer support for both HR and individual teachers
Plan tier examples that suit hagwon use
Specific plans and pricing are confirmed during the quote process, since hagwon groups vary widely in size, arrival schedule, and budget. The product pages below show the consumer equivalents of the plans hagwons most often use as part of a welcome package:
- Korvia Welcome SIM, 60-day prepaid window then 12-month KT postpaid, popular for school-year teachers
- Korea Starter SIM, similar 60-day plus 12-month path for general residents and visiting staff
- 10GB Korea eSIM, for shorter cohorts or pre-arrival orientation use
- 20GB Korea eSIM, for heavier-use teachers or those who tether
Frequently asked questions for hagwon HR
Yes. A common structure is for the school to cover the initial prepaid window (often 60 days), then the teacher takes over for the 12-month postpaid plan once the ARC is ready. Billing can also be arranged differently per group during the quote.
eSIM QR codes can be emailed and require no shipping. Physical SIM cards can be coordinated for teachers whose devices do not support eSIM. Shipping options are confirmed during the quote.
Prepaid eSIM and SIM activation typically uses passport-based identification. The postpaid transition after the ARC issuance uses the ARC plus a Korean bank account for autopay.
Yes, within the right product path. The Korvia Welcome SIM and Korea Starter SIM bundles are designed to keep the Korean 010 number through the prepaid-to-postpaid transition.
Kimchi Mobile supports a wide foreigner audience in Korea, including EPIK teachers, international students, and ARC-holding residents. EPIK-specific information is available at the EPIK Program SIM page.
Pre-arrival eSIM setup typically only needs the teachers’ arrival dates and contact details. Physical SIM card shipping windows depend on the destination country. The quote process clarifies the exact timeline for the group.