Question 1

What is OurBusan.life?

Accepted Answer

OurBusan.life is a community-driven platform for foreigners living in Busan, South Korea. We aggregate events, local businesses, resources, and community connections to make life in Busan easier and more enjoyable.

Question 2

Is OurBusan.life free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Browsing events, resources, and the business directory is completely free. Creating an account unlocks extra features like saving events, leaving reviews, and earning badges.

Question 3

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Click 'Sign In' in the top navigation, then choose 'Sign Up.' You'll need an email address and a username. Once you verify your email, you're all set!

Question 4

How can I submit an event or resource?

Accepted Answer

Once logged in, head to the 'Submit' page from the navigation menu. Fill in the details and our team will review it within 24-48 hours.

Question 5

Can I suggest a new feature?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Scroll down to the suggestion box at the bottom of this page and let us know what you'd like to see.

Question 6

How does the referral program work?

Accepted Answer

Every member gets a unique referral link. When a friend signs up using your link and verifies their email, you earn credit toward community badges.

Question 7

What are the badge tiers?

Accepted Answer

There are four tiers: Icebreaker (5 referrals), The Connector (10 referrals), Ambassador (25 referrals), and Legend (50 referrals). Each tier unlocks recognition on your public profile.

Question 8

Where can I find my referral link?

Accepted Answer

Visit your Profile page, your unique referral link and sharing options are displayed in the Referrals section. You can also copy it from the answer below if you're logged in!

Question 9

When do referrals count?

Accepted Answer

A referral is credited once your friend verifies their email address. Until then, it shows as 'Pending' on your profile.

Question 10

Do I get anything for reaching Legend status?

Accepted Answer

Legend members receive 'Elite' recognition, a spot on the public leaderboard, and a permanent badge on their profile and in newsletter shout-outs.

Question 11

Where is the interactive Busan map?

Accepted Answer

The full interactive map lives at /map (linked as 'OurBusan Map' in the navigation). The homepage now shows a high-speed static map teaser instead, tap it to launch the full Google Maps experience without slowing down the homepage.

Question 12

Why did you split the map off the homepage?

Accepted Answer

Loading Google Maps on every homepage visit was hurting performance for visitors who never used it. The dedicated /map page lazy-loads the full SDK on demand, while the homepage teaser keeps load times fast for everyone.

Question 13

How does the business map work?

Accepted Answer

Each business is plotted by its registered address. Use the filters on /map or the business directory to narrow by category, neighborhood, or tier. Click a pin for a quick-view popup with hours, rating, and a link to the full profile.

Question 14

Can I find businesses near my current location?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Use the 'Near Me' button on the directory or map page. Your browser will ask for location permission, then we'll sort listings by proximity.

Question 15

Why isn't a business showing on the map?

Accepted Answer

Some businesses may not have verified address data yet. If you notice a missing pin, you can suggest an update from the business profile page.

Question 16

How do I list my business?

Accepted Answer

Visit the 'List or Claim Your Business' page (linked from the footer and directory). Fill in your details, upload photos, and our team will verify and publish your listing within a few days.

Question 17

How do I claim an existing business listing?

Accepted Answer

If your business is already in our directory, open its profile and tap 'Claim This Business.' You'll submit a short verification (contact email, phone, and a quick proof of ownership). Our admin team reviews claims within 1–3 business days. Once approved, the listing is linked to your account and unlocks the Owner Dashboard.

Question 18

What is the Owner Dashboard?

Accepted Answer

The Owner Dashboard (/owner) is a private workspace for verified business owners. From there you can: edit your profile, upload hero/logo images, manage opening hours and happy hours, post events directly tied to your business, view review activity, and track your subscription tier. You'll see it appear in the user menu as soon as your first claim is approved.

Question 19

What is a 'Creator' on OurBusan.life?

Accepted Answer

Creators are community contributors who regularly submit high-quality events and resources. You can apply for Creator status through the Creator Application page.

Question 20

What benefits do business owners get?

Accepted Answer

Verified business owners can edit their listing, respond to reviews, post events, add special offers, and, depending on subscription tier, appear in featured slots and the weekly newsletter.

Question 21

How do I get featured in the newsletter?

Accepted Answer

Featured placements are selected weekly by our editorial team. Premium and Featured tier businesses get priority. A complete profile with photos, hours, and positive reviews significantly increases your chances at any tier.

Question 22

Why is Google Sign-In blocked?

Accepted Answer

If you see a 'disallowed_useragent' error or Google Sign-In simply won't load, you're likely using an in-app browser (KakaoTalk, Instagram, Facebook, LINE, etc.). Google blocks OAuth sign-in from embedded webviews for security reasons.

Here's how to fix it in 3 steps:

1. Find the menu, Tap the ⋯ or ⋮ button in the top-right corner of your screen.
2. Open in Browser, Select "Open in Browser" or "Open in Chrome / Safari" from the menu.
3. Sign in with Google, Once in your default browser, Google Sign-In will work normally.

If you're still having trouble, try copying the URL and pasting it directly into Chrome or Safari.

Question 23

I'm getting an error when I try to sign up. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Make sure your password is at least 6 characters long and that you're using a valid email address. If you already have an account, try signing in instead. If problems persist, use the suggestion box below to let us know.

Question 24

Why haven't I received my verification email?

Accepted Answer

Check your spam or junk folder first. Verification emails are sent immediately but can sometimes be delayed by a few minutes. If you still don't see it after 10 minutes, try signing up again with the same email.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Referrals & Badges

Map Features

Owners & Creators

Troubleshooting

Still have questions?

Share an Idea