Living in Jeju Island: 5 Perks Only Locals Know About
Last Updated on May 9, 2025
While Seoul is where the vast majority of people seem to take up residence in South Korea, there are a number of reasons to live somewhere else… anywhere else, in the country. Take Jeju Island for example. Given the moniker the “Hawaii of Korea”, this island has palm trees, beaches galore, and a number of perks that only residents of the island can enjoy. (Actually there are a few things you mainlanders can enjoy too, so pay attention.)
More foreigners and Koreans alike are choosing Jeju Island for its natural beauty, slower lifestyle, and surprising local benefits. We moved to Jeju, Korea six months ago and here are five reasons that Jeju life is good life. Thinking of living in Jeju? Here are five things to look forward to basically. Get ready to count with me.
If Jeju a good place to live? Here are five reasons locals love it!
- Discounts at Locally-Owned Stores with the Tamna Card
- A Laid Back Slow Lifestyle With Work Life Balance
- Discounted Airplane Tickets
- Public Schools Are IB World Schools
- Discounted Entrance To Tourist Hot Spots
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Discounts at Locally-Owned Stores with the Tamna Card
The Tamna Card is NOT just for locals, however, as a local, getting to use it practically all of the time, means we save a lot of money on everything from dinners to flowers, and more. How? What is it? The Tamnaeunjeon (탐나는전) allows users to receive 10% – 15% cash back when using it at locally owned shops, restaurants, traditional markets, and so on.
Pretty much every where we go is locally owned, and so the card is worth the time to set up. Our first meal at a Korean bbq cost W83,000, but we got W12,450 cash back. I bought bread at my favorite bakery and spent W23,400, and got W2,890 cash back. I bought soil and herbs at the local plant shop, spent W100,000, and got W14,566 cash back, which basically meant the herbs I got were all free! This is not one of those girl math things, this is legit savings consistently.
Don’t wait like I did, if you’re a local, a resident, get the Tamna card when you get here so you can use it everywhere! It works like a T-money card, except you don’t have to top it up with cash, you can top it up by connecting your bank account. You actually don’t even need the card, just download the app!
Note: This is not a card for tourists. Only locals and foreigners with an ARC can use the card as you need to be able to connect it to a local bank account.
A Laid Back Slow Lifestyle With Work Life Balance
Often when we talk about Korea, especially Seoul, there is a discussion of the fast pace, the bballi-bballi (빨리 빨리) feel that everyone seems to move with. It’s in everything from doctor’s visits to boarding and disembarking from buses. Everyone is rushing. I personally never jived with that constant need for speed.
In Jeju, there is no rush. In fact, it’s like everyone moves at an even slower pace on purpose. We had some friends visit from the mainland and we took them to a few of our favorite restaurants and they all commented on how long it took to get food. My response? What’s the rush when you have a seaside view though? Enjoy this moment.
Drive through villages and you’ll spot not only school zone signs, but elderly people zone signs that tell you to get down to 30 kilometers per hour and take your time getting around. My neighbors want to sit and have a casual conversation on the deck. Our favorite bakery owner leaves her shop in the afternoon and goes swimming to take advantage of the day.
It’s all been a mind shift as though I hadn’t enjoyed that need for speed, I had ingrained many of the ideas and actions of Seoul life. Don’t come here with that speedy attitude though. It won’t get you anywhere fast.
Discounted Airplane Tickets
Want to get on and off the island, visit the mainland for some quick social time or sightseeing? You can, and you can get a discount on plane tickets to do it! It’s super easy to get to Seoul from Jeju and vice versa.
- Jeju Air: As Jeju’s local airline, you can get the biggest discount on flights to and from the island with Jeju Air. They provide up to 25% off of flights with proof of Jeju residency.
- JINAIR: 10% discount
- AIR SEOUL: 10% discount
- Asiana: 10% discount (Limited to Jeju arrivals.)
Fun Fact: The Jeju-Seoul flight route is the world’s busiest domestic route, with 14.2 million seats, nearly 39,000 per day.
What proof to show to get the discount:
- Resident Registration Card
- Driver’s License
- Student ID
- Resident Registration Certificate (Original/Copy)
- Family Relationship Certificate
- Basic Certificate
- Health Insurance Card
Public Schools Are IB World Schools
This one isn’t for everyone and it’s not all of the public schools in Jeju, but if you’re a local family looking for alternative education options, look into Jeju. One of the major reasons we moved to Jeju was for the IB World School system that the schools in Pyoseon district are run with.
Pyoseon was one of the first districts in the country to offer the IB curriculum fully from elementary all the way up through high school and the schools here are certified IB World Schools.
Pyoseon High School is the first school to implement a Korean language International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). The IBDP is offered at 11 international schools in Korea, but they’re all in English and if you can’t afford that international school price on a local salary, Pyoseon is where you should go.
What is IB and why did we move here for it?
IB is a critical discussion-centered learning method with a strong focus on world affairs. As a multicultural family in Korea, this was especially important to me as the children are provided a more global perspective and they are the ones driving the conversation in the classrooms. The teacher is not meant to provide questions and answers, but guides students in methods to find answers to the questions they have. It’s been such a great experience.
Discounted Entrance To Tourist Hot Spots
After living in Seoul for more than 15 years, I can tell you with certainty that we’re not getting discounts on any tourist hot spots in the city just for being a resident of the city. But, on Jeju Island, I was happy to find out that now as a resident, we can get discounts on entrance fees to just about every touristy spot on the island. (This is similar for residents of many Korean provinces as long as it’s not in or around Seoul.)
Tip: Even if you don’t see a sign that says there’s a discount for Jeju residents, just ask. You might be surprised. There are even some cafes that give Jeju residents discounts! Get the discount AND use the Tamna card for an even bigger advantage.
Did you know about these five benefits to life in Jeju? Are there more you know about? Do tell!
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