How Do You Exchange Business Cards in Korea?

Business Card Etiquette: Two Hands, Read Before You Pocket

It’s your first client meeting. Everyone stands, someone slides a 명함 (business card) across the table, and your hand moves on autopilot: take it with one hand, tuck it away, carry on with the handshake.

Nobody says anything. But with older clients or more traditional teams, that small moment quietly sets a first impression.

Today we’ll go through how to give and receive a 명함 so the first ten seconds feel smooth — and what to say while you do it.

Two hands, then a real look

Digital cards are everywhere now, and plenty of startups skip paper entirely. When paper does come out, though, a few habits make a big difference.

Both hands, not one. Offer and receive with both hands, or hold the card with one hand while the other supports your wrist. When you give yours, turn the Korean side toward them.

Read it, don’t just pocket it. Take a beat to actually look at the name and title before you put the card away. Sliding it into a back pocket mid-handshake reads as “I didn’t really register you.” If you’re seated, leave it neatly on the table in front of you for the meeting, and don’t write on it unless they invite you to.

The title, not just the name. The English first name printed under the logo is not how you should address them. Use their 직함 (job title) — 팀장님, 이사님 and so on. That’s why the quick look matters: it tells you what to call them for the rest of the meeting.

No card on you? A short apology plus your LinkedIn or Kakao Work ID is much better than a crumpled scrap of paper. QR, Kakao and LinkedIn exchanges all work — just mirror how formal the room already feels.

What to say during the handoff

  • 안녕하세요, OO팀 OOO입니다. — Hello, I’m [name] from the [team] team. (while offering your card)
  • 명함 드리겠습니다. — Here’s my card.
  • 감사합니다, 잘 받겠습니다. — Thank you, I’ll gladly take this. (while receiving with both hands)
  • 죄송합니다, 제가 지금 명함이 없어서요. — I’m sorry, I don’t have a card on me right now.
  • 링크드인으로 연결해도 될까요? — Could we connect on LinkedIn instead?

Try it before your next meeting

Do one dry run at your desk: hold your card with both hands, Korean side out, and say your ten-second intro — 안녕하세요, OO팀 OOO입니다 — out loud. Then check you actually have a few cards somewhere you can reach without digging.

It feels small, but a calm handoff and the right title in your first sentence tell the room you’ve done your homework.

Related reads

If you want to practice your self-intro out loud:

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