Google Seoul
At Google Seoul, we're helping to bring Korea’s tech enthusiasm to the rest of the world. We’ve developed products like Mobile Search with local users in mind, but also made global impacts through products like Google TV. Our sales teams help advertisers utilize rising ad platforms like Mobile and Display Ads, and grow with Google by reaching both Korean and international clients. And our chefs make some awesome bulgogi.
Accomplishments
Our engineers develop products like Google TV, Search and Google Maps.
Our sales teams work closely with companies like Samsung and Hyundai Motor Company.
We were named the #1 foreign employer in Korea (for the fourth time in a row) by the National College Newspapers Association in 2011.
Stats
Number of Seoul Googlers: About a hundred times Conway’s constant
Some of our conference rooms are named: Hallasan, Dokdo, Hangang
Distance to Lotte World amusement park, in minutes of travel: 15
Address
22nd Floor, Gangnam Finance Center152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu
Seoul 135-984
South Korea
Phone: +82-2-531-9000
Inside Google Seoul
Korea’s the most plugged-in country in the world, and Google is leading the way in the ongoing mobile revolution. For example, Korea has the most Google Play Store downloads per capita in the world – and we’re just getting started. Korea’s enthusiasm for technology gives us a different set of opportunities and challenges than other Google offices.
We have a relentless focus on serving Korean users, customers and partners. Our engineers have worked on customizing Search for local users and developed products that cater to the global markets, such as Google TV and Google Maps technologies. We’ve partnered with companies like Samsung and LG to develop Android phones and other products. And our sales teams work closely with Korean advertisers to help them grow with Google.
Like Googlers across the globe, we get to work in a colorful, fun workplace, with everything from foosball and pool tables to bean bag chairs and singing rooms. Like bulgogi and bibimbap? You’ll love our cafeteria.
Best of all, we enjoy a culture that gives us the ability to identify and act on opportunities regardless of title. Between that and our relatively small size, our Googlers can have an enormous impact on our success in Korea.
With engineering and sales together on the same floor, we have a lot of personal interaction and a really entrepreneurial atmosphere.
- Ted Cho, Engineering Director
Google Seoul: Frequently Asked Questions
Where’s Google Seoul located?
In Gangnam-gu, amidst some of the tallest office buildings in the city. Our building, the Gangnam Finance Centre, is itself the ninth tallest in Seoul. We’re on the 21st and 22nd floors – the views are amazing. We’re two subway stops away from COEX Mall, the city’s largest underground shopping center, and Bongeunsa, a Zen Buddhist temple built in the 8th century, and a short walk from Kukkiwon (a.k.a. World Taekwondo Headquarters).
How is Google Seoul different from other Google locations?
Because we’re smaller than many Google locations, we’re especially nimble. We work quickly, collaborate a lot and are able to make an immediate impact. What we do makes a meaningful impact on Google’s presence in Korea.
What are you doing to grow Google’s business in Korea?
Koreans are tremendously tech savvy. The country has outstanding technology infrastructure. Broadband and mobile networks are lightning fast, for instance, and Seoul is rolling out free WiFi in public spaces throughout the city. We see that as providing tremendous opportunities for products like Android, YouTube and Google TV. We’re at the forefront of some of the most exciting innovations in the mobile space – for example, our engineers have made huge strides in Mobile Search. And Korea is one of the countries in which world-leading Android OEM partners, like Samsung and LG, have introduced next generation Android devices.
Have any cool launches come out of Google Seoul?
We’ve shipped key features of Search and Transit Navigation for Google Maps which helps you get from here to there using public or mass transit. And recently one of our engineers developed a very cool Korean input method editor (IME) for Android. He patented it, and it’s gotten rave reviews from Korean users.
Do you do anything to help Nooglers and Googlers from other countries adjust to working at Google Seoul?
We offer Nooglers small-group tutoring in English and for our international Googlers, Korean lessons.
How do Seoul Googlers have fun?
We’ve hosted everyone from YouTube sensation David Choi and K-pop girl group 2NE1 to former government ministers and Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the Internet. We go on cool team off-sites – everywhere from ski resorts to the opera to the stunning island of Jeju. We have an awesome year-end party. And we get together informally for activities like karaoke.
Does Google Korea do anything to build relationships with Korean developers?
We host several Google nights each year, to which we invite developers and students to demo our products and take part in technical talks. And Googlers from across our office come together to promote and work on hackathons a couple of times a year, which are a huge success. We also participate in external developer events and host Android Developer Lab (ADL) with more than 300 Korean developers every year.
