If you’re a UK-based advertiser or creator looking to crack the South Korean market on TikTok in 2025, you’ve landed in the right spot. South Korea’s TikTok scene is buzzing, and knowing the local advertising price points can save you a pretty penny while maximising your campaign ROI.
In this guide, we’ll break down the full-category advertising rate card for South Korea’s TikTok landscape, peppered with UK-relevant insights, payment tips, and marketing realities as of early June 2025.
📢 South Korea TikTok Advertising Landscape in 2025
TikTok in South Korea is no longer just a space for viral dance crazes; it’s a solid channel for brands hungry for Gen Z and Millennial eyeballs. With over 16 million active users and a growing appetite for native-style content, social media advertising here demands a nuanced approach.
From the UK perspective, it’s essential to understand that South Korea’s TikTok advertising costs differ significantly from Western rates due to local consumer behaviour, ad inventory, and platform sophistication.
The Big Picture for UK Advertisers
UK brands like ASOS and Gymshark have dipped toes into South Korean social marketing via TikTok but often stumble when ignoring local nuances — such as payment methods (Korean won only, usually via local gateways like KakaoPay or Naver Pay), language barriers, and fast-moving trends on the platform.
At the start of June 2025, the South Korean TikTok advertising market is balancing aggressive platform expansion with regulatory oversight, particularly around data privacy and content moderation. Keeping compliant with South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is non-negotiable.
💡 2025 South Korea TikTok Full-Category Advertising Rate Card Breakdown
Here’s the lowdown on TikTok ad prices by category, tailored for UK advertisers budgeting in GBP (£) but reflecting South Korean market realities (KRW to GBP exchange rates considered at ~0.00062 as of this month):
| Ad Type | Average Cost (KRW) | Approx. GBP (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Takeover | 7,000,000 KRW | £4,340 | High-impact, day-long homepage ad |
| In-Feed Ads | 300,000 KRW/CPM | £185 CPM | Native ads in user feed, best for conversions |
| TopView Ads | 9,000,000 KRW | £5,580 | Premium video, auto-plays on open |
| Hashtag Challenge | 25,000,000 KRW | £15,500 | User-generated content campaign |
| Branded Effects | 12,000,000 KRW | £7,440 | Custom AR filters and lenses |
| Influencer Collaborations | 2,000,000–10,000,000 KRW | £1,240–£6,200 | Depends on influencer tier and reach |
*CPM = cost per 1,000 impressions
Quick Notes for UK Marketers
- Payment usually requires local partners or agencies due to South Korean ad account restrictions.
- TikTok’s auction-based pricing means flexibility but also volatility; budget smart and test.
- Influencers (or “creators”) command huge influence here; working with local talents like @KoreaCandy or @SeoulVibes can be a gamechanger.
- Legal compliance and cultural sensitivity are key — don’t just translate, localise.
📊 South Korea vs UK TikTok Advertising: What’s Different?
1. Payment & Currency
In the UK, paying for TikTok ads is straightforward with GBP settled via credit cards or PayPal. In South Korea, advertisers face local currency requirements and need to navigate popular domestic payment gateways. This often means working with a local agency or platform like BaoLiba, which streamlines payments and compliance.
2. Content Style & Trends
UK campaigns often lean on humour and storytelling. South Korea’s TikTok thrives on high-energy, fast-cut videos with a strong focus on beauty, fashion, and tech gadgets. Brands like Laneige and Samsung dominate with slick, trendy content.
3. Influencer Marketing Dynamics
South Korean TikTok creators tend to have niche yet intensely loyal followings. UK brands must be wary of “spray and pray” influencer campaigns — instead, micro and nano influencers with 10k-100k followers often deliver better engagement and ROI.
💡 Real UK Campaign Example: ASOS Enters South Korea
ASOS, a staple UK online fashion retailer, partnered with South Korean TikTok influencers in early 2025 to launch a ‘Back to Seoul’ campaign. They combined hashtag challenges with branded effects, investing roughly £18,000 on TikTok ads over three weeks. The outcome? A 35% increase in South Korean traffic and a 22% uptick in conversions from the region.
This kind of hyper-local, multi-format approach is what UK advertisers should aim for — mixing paid ads with influencer collabs and native content.
❗ Risks and Legal Considerations for UK Advertisers
- Data Privacy: South Korea’s PIPA is strict, so all user data handling must be crystal clear.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Avoid stereotypes or misrepresentation; local culture is proud and fastidious.
- Platform Rules: TikTok South Korea may have slightly different ad policies — check before launching.
### People Also Ask
What is the average cost to advertise on TikTok in South Korea in 2025?
On average, CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) for in-feed ads is about 300,000 KRW (£185), with premium ad formats like Brand Takeover costing upwards of 7 million KRW (£4,340) per day.
How do UK advertisers pay for TikTok ads in South Korea?
Payments typically require working with local agencies or platforms that accept Korean won through domestic payment methods such as KakaoPay or Naver Pay. Direct payment with GBP or UK cards is usually not supported.
Which TikTok ad formats are most effective in South Korea?
Hashtag Challenges and Influencer Collaborations tend to yield the highest engagement due to South Korea’s social media culture valuing participation and peer influence.
Final Thoughts
Navigating South Korea’s TikTok advertising rates in 2025 is no walk in the park, especially from the UK with different payment and cultural contexts. But armed with up-to-date rate cards, local insight, and a solid influencer strategy, UK advertisers and creators can unlock a booming market.
BaoLiba will keep you posted with the freshest United Kingdom influencer marketing trends and regional updates. Stay tuned and keep hustling!
