agency-korean-business-navigator

Send a brief KakaoTalk message in formal Korean (존댓말) within one business day, thanking them without pushing for a decision. Wait 3-5 business days before any substantive follow-up, and never ask for a decision timeline after a first meeting.

It literally means "we'll review it" but usually signals a polite no, giving you a graceful exit. Wait about five days; if there is no follow-up, treat the deal as dead and move on gracefully rather than pressing.

Expect 6-10 weeks for SMEs, 8-12 weeks for mid-cap companies, and 12-16 weeks for chaebols. The process moves through introduction, meetings, internal review, approval document drafting, the 결재 approval chain, and finally contract.

Always use Korean in group chats, even if imperfect, because English signals you expect accommodation. Reserve English for one-on-one direct messages where the relationship already supports it.

Never in the first conversation. Korean business runs relationship first, capability second, pricing third; introducing rates before the second meeting marks you as a transactional vendor and weakens your position.

Cultural fluency removes friction but cannot substitute for a competitive offer, proper introductions, or internal budget availability. Cold outreach without a trusted introduction still has under a 5% response rate regardless of etiquette.