QR Pop Demon Hunters: How QR Codes are used in South Korea
Edited by Spencer Pines
Updated October 20, 2026·5 min read
Introduction
The Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea, has gone from being a war torn nation to one of the biggest power players in the world today, especially in the fields of culture and technology.
Home to some of the top tech brands in the world as well as the ever growing K-Pop music genre, the people of South Korea have thrived and created an important niche for themselves on the world stage.
In this piece I will take you on a journey to South Korea and go over how the tech savvy country has quickly adopted QR codes into daily life and how it has affected the businesses and citizens who reside within its borders. So let’s see how it’s done!
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What is a QR code?
A QR code is a special type of image that contains data encoded into a picture. These codes typically appear as squares made up of smaller black and white squares, though appearances can vary widely.
These codes can be used to store all sorts of data, including web addresses, images, text documents, contact information, videos, social media pages, and so much more.
Since QR codes are nothing but 2D images in the real world, they can be placed just about anywhere you could print a picture, like on cards, stickers, flyers, and even on digital screens like in advertisements, movies, TV shows, and video games.
They can be as small as a needle point or as big as a corn maze, and also be made from just about any kind of material. As long as the scanner can see the full code, then it can be read.
How popular are QR codes in South Korea?
South Korea is a country with a rich and diverse culture with many facets of daily life revolving around modern technology. The land is the home of tech giants like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, with many of the citizens taking great pride in their place in modern technology.
QR codes are especially popular in South Korea, as they provide a way to access a variety of content and information right from mobile phones. A study conducted in 2022 found that approximately 98% of South Koreans own smart phones, with a staggering 91% of them having used them to interact with QR codes.
All over the world, QR code usage surged especially during the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic, with South Korea included. However, the region had already been increasing their reliance on these codes for years prior.
QR as payment
QR codes are especially popular as a form of currency exchange between individuals, as well as busineses. Instead of carrying around cash or a credit card, users can simply scan QR codes in exchange for goods and services, both between individuals and even in retail settings, like in grocery stores.
For this reason, if you own or run a business and want to start operating in South Korea, then it is essential to start using QR codes and integrating them into your service. QR codes have become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, methods of payment in the region, so it would be unwise to operate a business in the country without this method of payment as an option.
QR for public information
Additionally, QR codes have been used as a method of information delivery from the government to the citizens of South Korea. In particular, during the COVID 19 pandemic, they were used to keep track of the spreading of the virus, and alert the public to super spreader zones.
A change in regulation on food packaging has also allowed companies to provide the nutritional information and ingredient lists via QR code. This way, the consumer can be given far more information on what they put in their body than can be provided on a food label in small text.
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South Korea has also integrated QR codes into the following areas
- Banking and financial institutions
- Pre check in for flights
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to hire someone to make my QR codes?
A: No. QR codes can be made by yourself for free through a service like QR Code Developer.
Q: Do I need to download anything to scan QR codes?
A: While QR scanner apps are available for mobile devices, they are not necessary. Most modern smart devices are perfectly capable of scanning codes right from the built-in camera app.
Q: What devices can scan QR codes?
A: Most modern smart devices with both a built-in camera and an internet connection can scan QR codes and access the content within. This includes smart phones, tablets, and even some handheld gaming consoles.
Q: Are QR codes safe?
A: While there are some risks in using QR codes, they are relatively safe.
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