Work From Korea This Autumn: Digital Nomads Incheon 2026
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon
What if you could spend two weeks working from Korea with a community already waiting for you when you arrive?
This October, Digital Nomads Incheon returns for its second edition, bringing together digital nomads, remote professionals, founders and creators in Songdo, Incheon.
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
Eligible international participants can also receive ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, which can bring the net cost of the two-week Event Pass down to ₩0 after completing the support requirements.
This edition also takes place alongside SURF 2026 Incheon and the first Korea Nomad Fest.
Depending on what you are looking for, the same two weeks can be a workation, a community experience, a way to discover another side of Korea, or a first step toward exploring the Korean market.
What is Digital Nomads Incheon?
Digital Nomads Incheon is a workation programme for international remote workers who want to experience Korea while continuing their normal work.
The programme is organised with Digital Nomads Korea, an international community connecting digital nomads, remote workers, founders and freelancers across Korea.
You bring your own work and schedule.
We create the environment around it: places to work, people to meet, local experiences, community events and opportunities to connect with people you would be unlikely to meet as a regular visitor.
Our first edition took place in July around Incheon's Open Port area.
This autumn, the programme moves to Songdo, Korea's waterfront smart city and one of Incheon's major international business and startup districts.
"I never would have explored Incheon without this program. I am now considering making Songdo a base and residency." — Adam, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Affordable, with ₩400,000 Stay Support
The two-week Event Pass costs ₩400,000.
Eligible international participants can apply separately for ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, bringing the net programme cost down to ₩0 if selected and the programme requirements are completed.
The main requirements include:
- staying in Incheon for at least 10 nights
- attending the programme orientation
- joining at least one designated networking programme
- completing the post-programme survey
- submitting the required proof of stay
There are 25 Stay Support places available.
The support is separate from your programme booking and is not automatically guaranteed by purchasing a ticket.
Several ways to join are available:
The Full Pass includes 12 nights in Songdo and two nights during the Ganghwa Island retreat.
If you already have somewhere to stay in Incheon or prefer arranging your own accommodation, the Event Pass gives you access to the full two-week programme without accommodation.
Flexible by design
A workation still needs to leave enough time for actual work.
During our Summer Workation, participants joined around 60% of the organised programme on average.
Some had client calls. Others worked across different time zones. Sometimes people simply needed a full day to focus.
That is exactly how the programme is designed to work.
Digital Nomads Incheon is not a package tour where everyone follows the same schedule from morning to night.
There will be coworking sessions, community events, startup programmes, dinners and local experiences throughout the two weeks, but most activities are optional.
Join what fits your schedule. Skip something when work takes priority.
The goal is to provide enough structure to make it easy to meet people and experience the city, with enough flexibility to maintain your normal working life.
Experience different sides of Incheon
Many international visitors know Incheon mainly because of the airport.
The city itself is much more varied.
The airport is here, so there is no transfer after a long flight, and Seoul is still about forty minutes away by subway whenever you want it.
Our main base this autumn is Songdo, a waterfront smart city built around Central Park, international organisations, universities, business districts and startup infrastructure.
You can walk through Central Park before work, spend the day in a coworking space or library, then meet the community later in the evening.
But Songdo is only one part of Incheon.
The Open Port district offers a completely different environment, with historic streets shaped by Korea's early international trade and a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Korean influences.
There are also coastal areas and islands, including Yeongjong and Ganghwa.
The programme concludes with a two-night retreat on Ganghwa Island, giving participants time away from the city and a different setting to close the two weeks together.
The idea is not to complete a checklist of tourist attractions.
It is to experience different sides of Incheon while actually living and working here.
Smart city, historic port, islands, local neighbourhoods and startup ecosystem.
"I never knew the rich history and attractive parts of Incheon. I've discovered local gems that I want to tell my friends about." — Lynn, New Zealand, Summer Workation 2026
Explore Korea's startup ecosystem
For founders and entrepreneurs, this is one of the biggest additions to the Autumn Workation.
Digital Nomads Incheon overlaps with SURF 2026 Incheon, a major startup and innovation event taking place in Songdo.
SURF brings together Korean startups, investors, accelerators, corporations, public institutions and startup support organisations through exhibitions, pitching, mentoring, networking and business meetings.
For international founders, this creates an opportunity to use the workation as a form of Korea market discovery.
You might use the two weeks to:
- meet Korean founders and startup organisations
- connect with incubators, accelerators and investors
- learn about public startup and funding programmes
- meet potential partners
- understand how Korea's startup ecosystem works
- explore whether Korea could be relevant to your business
You do not need to arrive with a complete Korea expansion plan.
Market discovery can simply mean meeting the right people, asking better questions and understanding the ecosystem before deciding what comes next.
"After visiting Songdo with DNI I could better see myself starting a business and moving here. The infrastructure, amenities, and quality all exceeded expectations." — Cameron, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Showcase what you are building
During SURF Incheon, the Digital Nomads Incheon and Hoppers team plans to operate a booth where interested participants can introduce or showcase their startup, product or business idea.
There will also be opportunities for business matching and relevant introductions.
The Hoppers team will help participants navigate these opportunities, and translation support can be provided for relevant business conversations when needed.
Hoppers also works on cross-border business expansion and market discovery programmes. If you are actively exploring Korea as a potential market, our team can help provide local context and identify relevant connections where possible.
Korea Nomad Fest at SURF Incheon
On October 15, we will also launch the first Korea Nomad Fest.
The day begins with the Korea Nomad Forum, held as part of SURF Incheon, bringing conversations about digital nomads, remote work and location-independent entrepreneurship into Incheon's wider startup ecosystem.
The programme then continues with community-led discussions, an unconference-style session and an evening gathering.
For Digital Nomads Incheon participants, this creates an opportunity to meet several communities in one place.
You might speak with a Korean startup organisation during SURF, meet another international founder over lunch, hear from digital nomad community builders from elsewhere in Asia, then finish the day with the wider Digital Nomads Korea community.
And because the workation lasts for two weeks, those conversations have time to continue after the event.
Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
A community to arrive to
The location, events and Stay Support are important.
But one of the strongest takeaways from our first edition was much simpler: the people made the experience.
Participants did not only meet other international remote workers.
They also connected with local founders, community organisers, creatives and people working on projects across Incheon.
"The most valuable thing was connecting with similar people with similar experiences, and having everyone with different backgrounds, learning from them and also from the staff and locals." — Javier, Spain, Summer Workation 2026
That combination is central to Digital Nomads Incheon.
We want to connect the international nomad community coming into Incheon with the local community already here.
Some of those connections happen through organised sessions.
Others happen over lunch, during a coworking break, walking back from an event, or because someone in the group suggests getting dinner together.
Working remotely can be isolating, and two weeks inside a group changes that quickly.
"Being a remote worker sometimes brings loneliness. But this program changes it." — Dmitriy, Uzbekistan, Summer Workation 2026
One of our Summer participants, Yee Fei, later wrote about her two weeks in Incheon while balancing travel, community and eleven different work streams.
She arrived running a small startup, with customers mid-conversation, a hire to onboard, three funding applications and a certification exam. She had travelled widely, but always solo, and had never joined an organised nomad programme before.
"Strangers who felt like old friends by day two."
She describes getting more candid business advice over street food in Incheon than from a year of conference panels. And she shipped four projects in those two weeks, more than she had planned to.
Her experience captures an important part of the programme. A workation does not require putting your work aside. It changes the environment and the people around your normal working life.
Read Yee Fei's story: 2 Weeks in Incheon, 11 Work Streams, 1 AI Chief of Staff
If you have travelled as a digital nomad before, you probably know that arriving somewhere new is relatively easy.
Building meaningful relationships when you may only stay for a few weeks is harder.
Having a community from the first day changes that experience.
Who is it for?
Digital Nomads Incheon is designed for people who can work remotely and want more than simply a place to stay.
You might be a remote professional who wants to spend a few weeks in Korea without doing it alone.
You might be a founder exploring Korea as a potential market.
You might be a freelancer or creator looking for a new environment and people to exchange ideas with.
Or you might already live in Korea and want to experience Incheon with a different community.
You do not need to be a full-time digital nomad or be planning to launch a company in Korea.
What matters is that you have your own work or project, can work remotely, and are interested in meeting people beyond your usual environment.
How to apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a payment link to confirm your place.
The Incheon Stay Support application takes place separately after your programme booking.
Programme capacity is limited to approximately 30 participants, with 25 Stay Support places available.
Digital Nomads Incheon Autumn Workation
October 12 to 26, 2026
Songdo, Incheon, Korea
Apply for the Incheon Autumn Workation
If October doesn't work for you
Two weeks in Korea at short notice is not something everyone can arrange, and that is fine. The community runs all year.
Digital Nomads Korea is free to join and has been organising meetups in Seoul since 2023. There is a WhatsApp group and a Discord server where members ask the practical questions: which coliving accepts foreigners without a resident card, which cafés have power outlets, how deposits really work.
Many people find their way to a workation through the community first. Several of our summer participants had been in the group chat for months before they applied.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to join every activity?
No. Most activities are optional and designed around participants who are working during their stay. Some participation requirements apply if you receive Stay Support.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. The main programme operates in English. Translation support can also be provided for selected business conversations when needed.
Where will I work?
In Songdo, with designated coworking access included in every pass, as well as public workspaces, libraries and laptop-friendly cafés.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation is included with the Full Pass, covering 12 nights in Songdo and two nights on Ganghwa Island.
Event Pass, 1-Week Pass and 3N4D Pass participants arrange their own accommodation.
Can I join if I am interested in the Korean market?
Yes. Digital Nomads Incheon is not a formal accelerator or market-entry programme, but founders can use SURF Incheon, local ecosystem connections and support from the Hoppers team to begin exploring the Korean market.
Is Korea Nomad Fest included?
Yes. Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
Who is behind the programme?
Digital Nomads Incheon is hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, and organised with the Digital Nomads Korea and Hoppin communities.
Work from Korea. Experience Incheon. Meet the community. Explore new opportunities.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon.
Work From Korea This Autumn: Digital Nomads Incheon 2026
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon
What if you could spend two weeks working from Korea with a community already waiting for you when you arrive?
This October, Digital Nomads Incheon returns for its second edition, bringing together digital nomads, remote professionals, founders and creators in Songdo, Incheon.
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
Eligible international participants can also receive ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, which can bring the net cost of the two-week Event Pass down to ₩0 after completing the support requirements.
This edition also takes place alongside SURF 2026 Incheon and the first Korea Nomad Fest.
Depending on what you are looking for, the same two weeks can be a workation, a community experience, a way to discover another side of Korea, or a first step toward exploring the Korean market.
What is Digital Nomads Incheon?
Digital Nomads Incheon is a workation programme for international remote workers who want to experience Korea while continuing their normal work.
The programme is organised with Digital Nomads Korea, an international community connecting digital nomads, remote workers, founders and freelancers across Korea.
You bring your own work and schedule.
We create the environment around it: places to work, people to meet, local experiences, community events and opportunities to connect with people you would be unlikely to meet as a regular visitor.
Our first edition took place in July around Incheon's Open Port area.
This autumn, the programme moves to Songdo, Korea's waterfront smart city and one of Incheon's major international business and startup districts.
"I never would have explored Incheon without this program. I am now considering making Songdo a base and residency." — Adam, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Affordable, with ₩400,000 Stay Support
The two-week Event Pass costs ₩400,000.
Eligible international participants can apply separately for ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, bringing the net programme cost down to ₩0 if selected and the programme requirements are completed.
The main requirements include:
- staying in Incheon for at least 10 nights
- attending the programme orientation
- joining at least one designated networking programme
- completing the post-programme survey
- submitting the required proof of stay
There are 25 Stay Support places available.
The support is separate from your programme booking and is not automatically guaranteed by purchasing a ticket.
Several ways to join are available:
The Full Pass includes 12 nights in Songdo and two nights during the Ganghwa Island retreat.
If you already have somewhere to stay in Incheon or prefer arranging your own accommodation, the Event Pass gives you access to the full two-week programme without accommodation.
Flexible by design
A workation still needs to leave enough time for actual work.
During our Summer Workation, participants joined around 60% of the organised programme on average.
Some had client calls. Others worked across different time zones. Sometimes people simply needed a full day to focus.
That is exactly how the programme is designed to work.
Digital Nomads Incheon is not a package tour where everyone follows the same schedule from morning to night.
There will be coworking sessions, community events, startup programmes, dinners and local experiences throughout the two weeks, but most activities are optional.
Join what fits your schedule. Skip something when work takes priority.
The goal is to provide enough structure to make it easy to meet people and experience the city, with enough flexibility to maintain your normal working life.
Experience different sides of Incheon
Many international visitors know Incheon mainly because of the airport.
The city itself is much more varied.
The airport is here, so there is no transfer after a long flight, and Seoul is still about forty minutes away by subway whenever you want it.
Our main base this autumn is Songdo, a waterfront smart city built around Central Park, international organisations, universities, business districts and startup infrastructure.
You can walk through Central Park before work, spend the day in a coworking space or library, then meet the community later in the evening.
But Songdo is only one part of Incheon.
The Open Port district offers a completely different environment, with historic streets shaped by Korea's early international trade and a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Korean influences.
There are also coastal areas and islands, including Yeongjong and Ganghwa.
The programme concludes with a two-night retreat on Ganghwa Island, giving participants time away from the city and a different setting to close the two weeks together.
The idea is not to complete a checklist of tourist attractions.
It is to experience different sides of Incheon while actually living and working here.
Smart city, historic port, islands, local neighbourhoods and startup ecosystem.
"I never knew the rich history and attractive parts of Incheon. I've discovered local gems that I want to tell my friends about." — Lynn, New Zealand, Summer Workation 2026
Explore Korea's startup ecosystem
For founders and entrepreneurs, this is one of the biggest additions to the Autumn Workation.
Digital Nomads Incheon overlaps with SURF 2026 Incheon, a major startup and innovation event taking place in Songdo.
SURF brings together Korean startups, investors, accelerators, corporations, public institutions and startup support organisations through exhibitions, pitching, mentoring, networking and business meetings.
For international founders, this creates an opportunity to use the workation as a form of Korea market discovery.
You might use the two weeks to:
- meet Korean founders and startup organisations
- connect with incubators, accelerators and investors
- learn about public startup and funding programmes
- meet potential partners
- understand how Korea's startup ecosystem works
- explore whether Korea could be relevant to your business
You do not need to arrive with a complete Korea expansion plan.
Market discovery can simply mean meeting the right people, asking better questions and understanding the ecosystem before deciding what comes next.
"After visiting Songdo with DNI I could better see myself starting a business and moving here. The infrastructure, amenities, and quality all exceeded expectations." — Cameron, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Showcase what you are building
During SURF Incheon, the Digital Nomads Incheon and Hoppers team plans to operate a booth where interested participants can introduce or showcase their startup, product or business idea.
There will also be opportunities for business matching and relevant introductions.
The Hoppers team will help participants navigate these opportunities, and translation support can be provided for relevant business conversations when needed.
Hoppers also works on cross-border business expansion and market discovery programmes. If you are actively exploring Korea as a potential market, our team can help provide local context and identify relevant connections where possible.
Korea Nomad Fest at SURF Incheon
On October 15, we will also launch the first Korea Nomad Fest.
The day begins with the Korea Nomad Forum, held as part of SURF Incheon, bringing conversations about digital nomads, remote work and location-independent entrepreneurship into Incheon's wider startup ecosystem.
The programme then continues with community-led discussions, an unconference-style session and an evening gathering.
For Digital Nomads Incheon participants, this creates an opportunity to meet several communities in one place.
You might speak with a Korean startup organisation during SURF, meet another international founder over lunch, hear from digital nomad community builders from elsewhere in Asia, then finish the day with the wider Digital Nomads Korea community.
And because the workation lasts for two weeks, those conversations have time to continue after the event.
Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
A community to arrive to
The location, events and Stay Support are important.
But one of the strongest takeaways from our first edition was much simpler: the people made the experience.
Participants did not only meet other international remote workers.
They also connected with local founders, community organisers, creatives and people working on projects across Incheon.
"The most valuable thing was connecting with similar people with similar experiences, and having everyone with different backgrounds, learning from them and also from the staff and locals." — Javier, Spain, Summer Workation 2026
That combination is central to Digital Nomads Incheon.
We want to connect the international nomad community coming into Incheon with the local community already here.
Some of those connections happen through organised sessions.
Others happen over lunch, during a coworking break, walking back from an event, or because someone in the group suggests getting dinner together.
Working remotely can be isolating, and two weeks inside a group changes that quickly.
"Being a remote worker sometimes brings loneliness. But this program changes it." — Dmitriy, Uzbekistan, Summer Workation 2026
One of our Summer participants, Yee Fei, later wrote about her two weeks in Incheon while balancing travel, community and eleven different work streams.
She arrived running a small startup, with customers mid-conversation, a hire to onboard, three funding applications and a certification exam. She had travelled widely, but always solo, and had never joined an organised nomad programme before.
"Strangers who felt like old friends by day two."
She describes getting more candid business advice over street food in Incheon than from a year of conference panels. And she shipped four projects in those two weeks, more than she had planned to.
Her experience captures an important part of the programme. A workation does not require putting your work aside. It changes the environment and the people around your normal working life.
Read Yee Fei's story: 2 Weeks in Incheon, 11 Work Streams, 1 AI Chief of Staff
If you have travelled as a digital nomad before, you probably know that arriving somewhere new is relatively easy.
Building meaningful relationships when you may only stay for a few weeks is harder.
Having a community from the first day changes that experience.
Who is it for?
Digital Nomads Incheon is designed for people who can work remotely and want more than simply a place to stay.
You might be a remote professional who wants to spend a few weeks in Korea without doing it alone.
You might be a founder exploring Korea as a potential market.
You might be a freelancer or creator looking for a new environment and people to exchange ideas with.
Or you might already live in Korea and want to experience Incheon with a different community.
You do not need to be a full-time digital nomad or be planning to launch a company in Korea.
What matters is that you have your own work or project, can work remotely, and are interested in meeting people beyond your usual environment.
How to apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a payment link to confirm your place.
The Incheon Stay Support application takes place separately after your programme booking.
Programme capacity is limited to approximately 30 participants, with 25 Stay Support places available.
Digital Nomads Incheon Autumn Workation
October 12 to 26, 2026
Songdo, Incheon, Korea
Apply for the Incheon Autumn Workation
If October doesn't work for you
Two weeks in Korea at short notice is not something everyone can arrange, and that is fine. The community runs all year.
Digital Nomads Korea is free to join and has been organising meetups in Seoul since 2023. There is a WhatsApp group and a Discord server where members ask the practical questions: which coliving accepts foreigners without a resident card, which cafés have power outlets, how deposits really work.
Many people find their way to a workation through the community first. Several of our summer participants had been in the group chat for months before they applied.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to join every activity?
No. Most activities are optional and designed around participants who are working during their stay. Some participation requirements apply if you receive Stay Support.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. The main programme operates in English. Translation support can also be provided for selected business conversations when needed.
Where will I work?
In Songdo, with designated coworking access included in every pass, as well as public workspaces, libraries and laptop-friendly cafés.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation is included with the Full Pass, covering 12 nights in Songdo and two nights on Ganghwa Island.
Event Pass, 1-Week Pass and 3N4D Pass participants arrange their own accommodation.
Can I join if I am interested in the Korean market?
Yes. Digital Nomads Incheon is not a formal accelerator or market-entry programme, but founders can use SURF Incheon, local ecosystem connections and support from the Hoppers team to begin exploring the Korean market.
Is Korea Nomad Fest included?
Yes. Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
Who is behind the programme?
Digital Nomads Incheon is hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, and organised with the Digital Nomads Korea and Hoppin communities.
Work from Korea. Experience Incheon. Meet the community. Explore new opportunities.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon.
Work From Korea This Autumn: Digital Nomads Incheon 2026
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon
What if you could spend two weeks working from Korea with a community already waiting for you when you arrive?
This October, Digital Nomads Incheon returns for its second edition, bringing together digital nomads, remote professionals, founders and creators in Songdo, Incheon.
For two weeks, participants will work remotely, experience different sides of Incheon, meet international and local communities, and connect with Korea's startup ecosystem.
Eligible international participants can also receive ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, which can bring the net cost of the two-week Event Pass down to ₩0 after completing the support requirements.
This edition also takes place alongside SURF 2026 Incheon and the first Korea Nomad Fest.
Depending on what you are looking for, the same two weeks can be a workation, a community experience, a way to discover another side of Korea, or a first step toward exploring the Korean market.
What is Digital Nomads Incheon?
Digital Nomads Incheon is a workation programme for international remote workers who want to experience Korea while continuing their normal work.
The programme is organised with Digital Nomads Korea, an international community connecting digital nomads, remote workers, founders and freelancers across Korea.
You bring your own work and schedule.
We create the environment around it: places to work, people to meet, local experiences, community events and opportunities to connect with people you would be unlikely to meet as a regular visitor.
Our first edition took place in July around Incheon's Open Port area.
This autumn, the programme moves to Songdo, Korea's waterfront smart city and one of Incheon's major international business and startup districts.
"I never would have explored Incheon without this program. I am now considering making Songdo a base and residency." — Adam, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Affordable, with ₩400,000 Stay Support
The two-week Event Pass costs ₩400,000.
Eligible international participants can apply separately for ₩400,000 in Incheon Stay Support, bringing the net programme cost down to ₩0 if selected and the programme requirements are completed.
The main requirements include:
- staying in Incheon for at least 10 nights
- attending the programme orientation
- joining at least one designated networking programme
- completing the post-programme survey
- submitting the required proof of stay
There are 25 Stay Support places available.
The support is separate from your programme booking and is not automatically guaranteed by purchasing a ticket.
Several ways to join are available:
The Full Pass includes 12 nights in Songdo and two nights during the Ganghwa Island retreat.
If you already have somewhere to stay in Incheon or prefer arranging your own accommodation, the Event Pass gives you access to the full two-week programme without accommodation.
Flexible by design
A workation still needs to leave enough time for actual work.
During our Summer Workation, participants joined around 60% of the organised programme on average.
Some had client calls. Others worked across different time zones. Sometimes people simply needed a full day to focus.
That is exactly how the programme is designed to work.
Digital Nomads Incheon is not a package tour where everyone follows the same schedule from morning to night.
There will be coworking sessions, community events, startup programmes, dinners and local experiences throughout the two weeks, but most activities are optional.
Join what fits your schedule. Skip something when work takes priority.
The goal is to provide enough structure to make it easy to meet people and experience the city, with enough flexibility to maintain your normal working life.
Experience different sides of Incheon
Many international visitors know Incheon mainly because of the airport.
The city itself is much more varied.
The airport is here, so there is no transfer after a long flight, and Seoul is still about forty minutes away by subway whenever you want it.
Our main base this autumn is Songdo, a waterfront smart city built around Central Park, international organisations, universities, business districts and startup infrastructure.
You can walk through Central Park before work, spend the day in a coworking space or library, then meet the community later in the evening.
But Songdo is only one part of Incheon.
The Open Port district offers a completely different environment, with historic streets shaped by Korea's early international trade and a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Korean influences.
There are also coastal areas and islands, including Yeongjong and Ganghwa.
The programme concludes with a two-night retreat on Ganghwa Island, giving participants time away from the city and a different setting to close the two weeks together.
The idea is not to complete a checklist of tourist attractions.
It is to experience different sides of Incheon while actually living and working here.
Smart city, historic port, islands, local neighbourhoods and startup ecosystem.
"I never knew the rich history and attractive parts of Incheon. I've discovered local gems that I want to tell my friends about." — Lynn, New Zealand, Summer Workation 2026
Explore Korea's startup ecosystem
For founders and entrepreneurs, this is one of the biggest additions to the Autumn Workation.
Digital Nomads Incheon overlaps with SURF 2026 Incheon, a major startup and innovation event taking place in Songdo.
SURF brings together Korean startups, investors, accelerators, corporations, public institutions and startup support organisations through exhibitions, pitching, mentoring, networking and business meetings.
For international founders, this creates an opportunity to use the workation as a form of Korea market discovery.
You might use the two weeks to:
- meet Korean founders and startup organisations
- connect with incubators, accelerators and investors
- learn about public startup and funding programmes
- meet potential partners
- understand how Korea's startup ecosystem works
- explore whether Korea could be relevant to your business
You do not need to arrive with a complete Korea expansion plan.
Market discovery can simply mean meeting the right people, asking better questions and understanding the ecosystem before deciding what comes next.
"After visiting Songdo with DNI I could better see myself starting a business and moving here. The infrastructure, amenities, and quality all exceeded expectations." — Cameron, United States, Summer Workation 2026
Showcase what you are building
During SURF Incheon, the Digital Nomads Incheon and Hoppers team plans to operate a booth where interested participants can introduce or showcase their startup, product or business idea.
There will also be opportunities for business matching and relevant introductions.
The Hoppers team will help participants navigate these opportunities, and translation support can be provided for relevant business conversations when needed.
Hoppers also works on cross-border business expansion and market discovery programmes. If you are actively exploring Korea as a potential market, our team can help provide local context and identify relevant connections where possible.
Korea Nomad Fest at SURF Incheon
On October 15, we will also launch the first Korea Nomad Fest.
The day begins with the Korea Nomad Forum, held as part of SURF Incheon, bringing conversations about digital nomads, remote work and location-independent entrepreneurship into Incheon's wider startup ecosystem.
The programme then continues with community-led discussions, an unconference-style session and an evening gathering.
For Digital Nomads Incheon participants, this creates an opportunity to meet several communities in one place.
You might speak with a Korean startup organisation during SURF, meet another international founder over lunch, hear from digital nomad community builders from elsewhere in Asia, then finish the day with the wider Digital Nomads Korea community.
And because the workation lasts for two weeks, those conversations have time to continue after the event.
Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
A community to arrive to
The location, events and Stay Support are important.
But one of the strongest takeaways from our first edition was much simpler: the people made the experience.
Participants did not only meet other international remote workers.
They also connected with local founders, community organisers, creatives and people working on projects across Incheon.
"The most valuable thing was connecting with similar people with similar experiences, and having everyone with different backgrounds, learning from them and also from the staff and locals." — Javier, Spain, Summer Workation 2026
That combination is central to Digital Nomads Incheon.
We want to connect the international nomad community coming into Incheon with the local community already here.
Some of those connections happen through organised sessions.
Others happen over lunch, during a coworking break, walking back from an event, or because someone in the group suggests getting dinner together.
Working remotely can be isolating, and two weeks inside a group changes that quickly.
"Being a remote worker sometimes brings loneliness. But this program changes it." — Dmitriy, Uzbekistan, Summer Workation 2026
One of our Summer participants, Yee Fei, later wrote about her two weeks in Incheon while balancing travel, community and eleven different work streams.
She arrived running a small startup, with customers mid-conversation, a hire to onboard, three funding applications and a certification exam. She had travelled widely, but always solo, and had never joined an organised nomad programme before.
"Strangers who felt like old friends by day two."
She describes getting more candid business advice over street food in Incheon than from a year of conference panels. And she shipped four projects in those two weeks, more than she had planned to.
Her experience captures an important part of the programme. A workation does not require putting your work aside. It changes the environment and the people around your normal working life.
Read Yee Fei's story: 2 Weeks in Incheon, 11 Work Streams, 1 AI Chief of Staff
If you have travelled as a digital nomad before, you probably know that arriving somewhere new is relatively easy.
Building meaningful relationships when you may only stay for a few weeks is harder.
Having a community from the first day changes that experience.
Who is it for?
Digital Nomads Incheon is designed for people who can work remotely and want more than simply a place to stay.
You might be a remote professional who wants to spend a few weeks in Korea without doing it alone.
You might be a founder exploring Korea as a potential market.
You might be a freelancer or creator looking for a new environment and people to exchange ideas with.
Or you might already live in Korea and want to experience Incheon with a different community.
You do not need to be a full-time digital nomad or be planning to launch a company in Korea.
What matters is that you have your own work or project, can work remotely, and are interested in meeting people beyond your usual environment.
How to apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a payment link to confirm your place.
The Incheon Stay Support application takes place separately after your programme booking.
Programme capacity is limited to approximately 30 participants, with 25 Stay Support places available.
Digital Nomads Incheon Autumn Workation
October 12 to 26, 2026
Songdo, Incheon, Korea
Apply for the Incheon Autumn Workation
If October doesn't work for you
Two weeks in Korea at short notice is not something everyone can arrange, and that is fine. The community runs all year.
Digital Nomads Korea is free to join and has been organising meetups in Seoul since 2023. There is a WhatsApp group and a Discord server where members ask the practical questions: which coliving accepts foreigners without a resident card, which cafés have power outlets, how deposits really work.
Many people find their way to a workation through the community first. Several of our summer participants had been in the group chat for months before they applied.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to join every activity?
No. Most activities are optional and designed around participants who are working during their stay. Some participation requirements apply if you receive Stay Support.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. The main programme operates in English. Translation support can also be provided for selected business conversations when needed.
Where will I work?
In Songdo, with designated coworking access included in every pass, as well as public workspaces, libraries and laptop-friendly cafés.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation is included with the Full Pass, covering 12 nights in Songdo and two nights on Ganghwa Island.
Event Pass, 1-Week Pass and 3N4D Pass participants arrange their own accommodation.
Can I join if I am interested in the Korean market?
Yes. Digital Nomads Incheon is not a formal accelerator or market-entry programme, but founders can use SURF Incheon, local ecosystem connections and support from the Hoppers team to begin exploring the Korean market.
Is Korea Nomad Fest included?
Yes. Korea Nomad Fest admission is included with every Digital Nomads Incheon pass.
Who is behind the programme?
Digital Nomads Incheon is hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, and organised with the Digital Nomads Korea and Hoppin communities.
Work from Korea. Experience Incheon. Meet the community. Explore new opportunities.
October 12 to 26, 2026 | Songdo, Incheon.
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