While China and Japan often steal the spotlight in East Asia, South Korea is a gaming powerhouse in its own right, ranking fourth globally.
Breaking into this lucrative market requires more than just an exceptional game and aggressive marketing; it demands serious consideration of accessibility. And at the heart of accessibility lies effective localization.
This article aims to equip you with essential insights to both understand the Korean gaming market and enhance your game’s appeal through smart localization strategies. We’ll explore three key areas:
- The number of Korean gamers you can unlock by localizing your game.
- The potential of this language in terms of revenue by examining the spending power of Korean gamers and the value of the market.
- The Korean gamers’ profile.
- Additional benefits of localization.
- The most common localization challenges for this language and market.
You’ll have a clear Korean game localization roadmap when you finish reading.
How many gamers can you unlock through Korean game localization?
Korean game localization has value insofar as it enables you to access a wide pool of Korean-speaking gamers with strong purchasing power. But to assess the extent of this value, it is important to estimate the number of potential gamers you can market yourself to.
To get a realistic estimate, we will assess the number of Korean speakers worldwide and then address how many of these are likely gamers.
How many people speak Korean?
There are roughly 58.08 million Korean speakers worldwide, which can be categorized as:
- Native speakers
- Non-native speakers
It’s worth noting that we do not include North Koreans in our estimates due to the gaming ban in this country.
Native speakers
There are roughly 55.08 million Korean native speakers worldwide. The bulk of this group comes from South Korea, which is home to 48 million native speakers.
The remaining natives are largely Korean diaspora, and they account for another 7.08 million. These come from the following countries:
- The U.S. with over 2.6 million in 2023.
- China with about 2.1 million.
- The rest of the Korean immigrants are spread across Japan, Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Non-native speakers
There are over 3 million non-native Korean speakers worldwide, and this category mostly includes individuals who learned Korean either through formal education or self-interest.
Now that we have a working number, we can extrapolate the total pool of potential gamers you can unlock via Korean video game localization.
How many Korean-speaking gamers are there?
There are approximately 33.9 million Korean-speaking gamers worldwide. The bulk of these gamers reside in South Korea (30.2 million).
To arrive at this estimate, we leveraged percentage estimates of gamer populations in each major country with a Korean-speaking population, drawing data from industry sources.
For example, outlets like Statista estimate that approximately 63% of the population in South Korea are gamers, and we applied similar ratios based on available data to other regions with Korean-speaking communities.
Due to the massive concentration of Korean-speaking gamers in Korea, it makes sense to tilt the remainder of our analysis towards the South Korean market.
The economic power of Korean gamers & their profile
South Korean gamers have an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $1,490. That’s one of the highest worldwide, surpassing U.S. gamers ($1,380), and nearly twice as high as the global average of $843.90.
Furthermore, South Korean gamers’ spending showed an upward trend throughout 2023, and these trends are unlikely to subside. In fact, according to the 2023 Game User Survey from the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the percentage of people who play games dropped to 63% in 2023, down from 65.7% in 2019.
However, despite this slight decrease in the percentage of gamers, mobile game revenue still increased significantly. According to Sensor Tower, it rose by $1.06 billion from 2022 to 2023.
Additionally, in 2024, South Korea ranked second globally in Google Play consumer spending, demonstrating that Korean gamers continue to be high spenders.
As a result, the South Korean market is exceedingly lucrative and is expected to generate $14.56 billion in 2025, ultimately reaching $19 billion in 2029.
The profile of the Korean gamer
Korean gaming is diverse, from players across genders and age groups to their favorite platforms and the kinds of games they love. Let’s dive into the details and paint a clearer picture of the typical Korean gamer.
Gender and age demographics of Korean gamers
Korean gamers are evenly distributed among genders, with 54% male and 45% female. However, the number of female gamers is on the rise.
When it comes to their age, Korean gamers in their 20s make up the largest segment. But, the 30s to 50s segment is more lucrative due to their higher spending power.
Preferred gaming platforms in Korea
South Korean gamers overwhelmingly play on mobile (91.7%). The second most popular platform is PC (53.8%), followed by consoles (26.7%).
Interestingly, 41% of gamers tend to stick to a single platform, while 34.1% play across two platforms.
Unlike Japan, where consoles dominate, PC gaming is deeply ingrained in South Korean culture, thanks to the popularity of PC Bangs—gaming-focused internet cafés.
These spaces serve as social hubs where players gather to enjoy online multiplayer games. 63.6% of gamers visit PC Bangs primarily to play with friends and coworkers.
Korean gaming habits
According to Niko Partners, South Korean gamers are primarily split between “regular gamers” (23%)and “time fillers” (21%). The former group invests a lot of time playing and watching games across genres, while the latter tend to exclusively play games and are casual gamers.
When it comes to gaming time, PC gamers play the most, roughly 5 hours per week. They are followed by console gamers at 4h40 and mobile gamers at 4h20.
Popular game genres and titles among Korean gamers
According to Niko Partners, the 5 most popular game genres in South Korea (based on MAUs) across platforms are the following categories:
- Shooters
- Adventure games
- Role-playing games (RPGs)
- Battle Royale
- Sports
We can corroborate their findings by relying on some of the current rankings (2024). When looking at popular games in PC Bangs, the 5 most popular games are:
- League of Legends (Battle arena)
- Valorant (Shooter)
- FIFA Online (Sports)
- PUBG (Battle Royale)
- Sudden Attack (Shooter)
When looking at the most popular mobile games on Google Play, we can see the following 5 games:
- Block Game (Puzzle)
- 이세계 판타지 라이프 (RPG)
- 고스톱M : 데이터 필요없는 맞고 게임 (card)
- GetAmped Idle Adventure (idle RPG)
- Epic Shaman Battle: 4P Defense (tower defense)
Why invest in Korean game localization?
Aside from helping you unlock a lucrative market with a substantial segment of motivated gamers, Korean game localization can unlock a powerful chain of benefits, leading to stronger launches, loyal player bases, and sustained revenue growth.
Better game launches and user retention
Localized games are significantly more likely to resonate with Korean players and achieve higher initial engagement and downloads.
In fact, according to a report by data.ai, the top ten games on South Korea’s App Store download rankings are highly localized overseas games, with only two developed locally.
Several factors drive this preference for localized games. Firstly, playing in their native language enhances the gaming experience, making it more immersive and enjoyable.
This improved experience, in turn, leads to better user retention as players are more likely to stick with games they fully understand and can easily engage with.
Furthermore, when players are deeply engaged and enjoy a game, they are more inclined to invest in it through in-app purchases.
The Overwatch case
Blizzard Entertainment ensured Overwatch’s success in South Korea by taking its localization efforts seriously. They established independent South Korean servers, offered fully voiced Korean audio, and extensively localized in-game text and cultural details.
As a result, Overwatch dominated South Korean PC Bangs for months after its release, even surpassing League of Legends at one point.
Boosting market performance and revenue
Many successful cases demonstrate that localized games generate higher revenues in the South Korean market. Take Genshin Impact as an example. In addition to the Chinese mainland market, Genshin Impact has expanded globally, with thorough localization for each language.
In 2025, the game’s mobile revenue from the Chinese market reached over $5 billion, accounting for 55% of its total revenue. Meanwhile, its overseas revenue is around $4 billion, with South Korea contributing 8%—that’s $320 million!
Furthermore, Genshin Impact has surpassed 1.8 billion mobile downloads worldwide, underscoring the immense enthusiasm that well-localized games can spark among global players.
The value of Korean localization extends far beyond initial launch success; it fuels a significant long-term effect crucial for sustained game performance.
This “long-tail effect” in localization means lasting benefits over time, building player loyalty and maximizing Lifetime Value (LTV). A positive chain reaction drives it:
- Cultural resonance = enhanced UX: Deep localization creates a culturally resonant and enjoyable user experience.
- Engagement & retention (LTV) increase: Better UX boosts player engagement and improves user retention (LTV).
- Positive reviews & advocacy: Engaged players give positive reviews and become brand advocates.
- Word-of-mouth = viral growth: Positive word-of-mouth attracts new players and drives organic growth.
- Sustained Monetization & ROI: This cycle ensures sustained monetization and a strong long-term return on investment in localization.
Navigating the challenges of Korean game localization
Localizing games for the South Korean market presents unique challenges, ranging from distinct linguistic nuances to deeply rooted cultural sensitivities and specific regulatory frameworks.
To navigate these successfully, localization teams must pay close attention to a three-layered approach: the linguistic, cultural, and compliance layers.
Linguistic challenges
In Korean, there is a distinction between honorifics and casual speech, and the choice between them depends on the status of the person you are speaking to.
Casual speech (반말, banmal)
This is typically used among friends, peers, or people with whom you have a close relationship. There is no need to add honorific suffixes in casual speech, and the tone is more direct.
Honorifics (존댓말, jondaetmal)
The use of honorifics usually affects the verb endings. Here are some common honorific forms:
- 요 (yo): This is a very common honorific ending, and it is widely used in everyday conversations. For example:
- 먹다 (meok-da) [to eat] becomes 먹어요 (meo-geo-yo) [to eat?].
- 가다 (ga-da) [to go] becomes 가요 (ga-yo) [to go?].
- 습니다 (seum-ni-da)/ㅂ니다 (bni-da): This is a more formal honorific ending, typically used in very formal situations, such as speeches or when communicating with strangers or superiors. For example:
- 먹다 (meok-da) [to eat] becomes 먹습니다 (meok-seum-ni-da) [to eat].
- 가다 (ga-da) [to go] becomes 갑니다 (gam-ni-da) [to go].
Cultural challenges
Successful game localization for the Korean market requires understanding several key cultural elements that significantly impact player experience and reception.
Historical sensitivities
The Korean War (1950-1953) and the Japanese occupation period (1910-1945) remain profound influences on Korean collective memory and identity. Games that reference these periods should approach them with respect and historical accuracy.
Developers should consider these events’ emotional weight and avoid trivializing these experiences or presenting historically inaccurate portrayals that might alienate Korean audiences.
Visual and symbolic elements
Colors, numbers, and symbols carry significant cultural meaning in Korea. The color red used for names can be associated with death, while the number 4 (사/sa) is considered unlucky due to its similar pronunciation to the Korean word for death.
Traditional Korean symbols should be used respectfully and with a proper understanding of their significance, as misuse can be perceived as cultural insensitivity.
Korean aesthetics and character design
Visual representation in games should consider Korean aesthetic preferences and contemporary visual culture. Character designs that align with local beauty standards may resonate better with Korean players.
Customization options that reflect Korean fashion trends and visual preferences can significantly enhance player engagement and cultural relevance.
Regulatory challenges
Although South Korea’s game regulations are relatively lenient compared to other East Asian countries, certain standards must still be observed.
According to South Korea’s “Game Industry Promotion Act”, any game intended for sale or public use must undergo evaluation and rating by the Game Content Rating Board (GCRB) and the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) for each platform before production and distribution.
Article 9 of the Youth Protection Act outlines prohibited elements in games entering the South Korean market, such as obscene content, incitement to juvenile delinquency, violent behavior, drug abuse, promotion of gambling, and antisocial tendencies. Additionally, South Korea has banned Play-to-Earn (P2E) games.