if you're staying near Hongdae there's a place called Kim's Travel on the second floor of the building near exit 2, they do international wires for a flat fee of like 15,000 won. they're not a bank so they don't care about residency status, just need your passport and the cash. the exchange rate is a bit worse than the bank rate but way better than Western Union and you can send up to $10k no problem. also if you haven't already tried, the Woori branch in Jongno has a foreign exchange counter that sometimes makes exceptions for one-time transfers, worth a shot if you're in that area

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honestly your best bet is probably a currency exchange shop rather than a bank. places like Hanpass or even some of the bigger exchange booths in Myeongdong or Hongdae can do wire transfers for non-residents, they just charge a fee. I've used Hanpass before for small amounts and it worked fine, just bring your passport and the cash.

another option is to open a temporary account at a digital bank like KakaoBank or Toss Bank, they're more flexible with non-residents than the traditional ones. you might need a local phone number though, which is annoying for a week trip.

if you're near Itaewon, there's a Western Union inside the Hamilton Hotel that does transfers to US accounts. the rate is terrible but it's reliable and they won't ask for residency status.

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another route is to find a global remittance service like sentbe or wirebarley, theyre korean fintech apps that work for non-residents if you have a passport. you do the whole thing on your phone, deposit cash at a convenience store like gs25 or 7-eleven, and they wire it to your us account. the fee is around 3,000-5,000 won and the rate is close to market. downside is you need to verify with the app first, which might take a day, but for a week trip it could work if you start now

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this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists

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honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs

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i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too

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