Korean Phones Input Method

Korean feature phones (or "Dumbphones") do not have a standard codified by the government about what kind of input method is allowed to be used before 2010.

This means that typing Korean text can be different in many ways depending on the manufacturer of the phone you're using.

This page will mostly cover the well known input methods, and as such, layouts used in rather old Korean mobile phones (particularly before 2002) or layouts used by less known-brands will not be discussed.

Samsung (Anycall)
Officially called "Cheonjiin" Input Method (천지인 Cheonji-in. tr. "Sky, Earth, Human") in Korea, this layout is made by Samsung Electronics for Samsung Anycall phones. This input method is also used in KT Tech's "EVER" branded phones. it is also used in a few select models of Chinese Samsung SGH-phones with Korean language support.

It consists of two section: Vowel (first row) and Consonant (the rest). Consonant such as ㄱㄴㄷ can be typed right away. Meanwhile, vowels are made by combining vowel block (|/./-) to make a correct shape needed. (example: ㅐ is typed as follows: | / . / | and ㅜ is typed like this: - / .). it may seem complicated at first, but once you adapted to use it, it's not that hard to write.

A modified version of this layout exist for use in North Korean dumbphones, particularly made by Huawei.

LG (Cyon)
Also known as Narat-Gul (나랏글 Narat Geul) is a Korean input method used in LG CYON devices. This is also the layout used in: (All of them which are supplied exclusively for LG U+)
 * All CanU (Casio/Hitachi/Toshiba) phones
 * Sewon Telecom "AIV" line of phones
 * Pantech & Curitel "LT" series of phones (LT6000/LT7000)

The keypad block is separated into three section: Vowel (right side) Consonant (Left side) and Shift (* and # keys). In Anycall layout, the idea was to assemble the vowel. in Cyon, it's the opposite. Instead of vowel, you have to assemble the consonant to type the letter needed. this is accomplished by pressing * key (휙추가 Hwikchuga. tr. "Add line") and/or # key (쌍자음 Ssangjaeum. "Double consonant") before pressing any consonant key.

The learning curve were high, and it was reported that in a few cases, this keypad wears unevenly. (especially on * and # keys because these have the highest usage amongst others).

VEGA Hangul
Formerly known as SKY-II Hangul Input Method, this is the primary input method used in SKY phones. later, Curitel phones also used this layout, starting on Curitel S4. Unlike Anycall or Cyon keypad where assembly trickery is needed, SKY utilise all of the available space for both consonant or vowel letters. It makes this layout very easy to learn and use.

Just like before, this layout is also modified to use in North Korean dumbphones, usually ZTE phones.

Motorola
This is the layout used in the majority of Korean Motorola feature phones. particularly from MS-lineup of phones.

It has similar arrangement to LG’s Narat Gul keypad, but it works differently.

Handol Code (VK Mobile)
This is the primary input method used in all VK phones prior VK300c. Similar to LG's layout, it utilise Shift key as a means to enter additional letter that can't be typed normally. though, the implementation is somewhat different than LG one. The writer of this page does not understand very clearly how does Shift in this layout works, or in what occasion it needs to be used.

Supposedly, there was a Windows software made by VK for anyone to learn how to type using Handol Code. but unfortunately the software seems to be lost from time to time. When it's available for download, we will post download link in here.

Seungri Hangul (VK Mobile)
Seungri Hangul (승리한글 Seungri Hangeul tr. Victory Korea) is a refined input method made by VK Mobile to replace Handol code. Since the release of VK300c, it became the primary input method used by VK Mobile phones. It has similar structure to Anycall's layout but it works somewhat differently.



Prototype and a very early batch of VK300c phones exist with Handol code layout instead of Seungri layout. These tend to be much more rare and hard to find compared to the later revision with new keypad.

Curitel Old Layout
This layout looks and works similarly to Anycall layout. except that it utilise all of the available space and vowel has been moved down to the last row (*,0,#).

It was dropped from usage since Pantech started using SKY layout

Standardisation
Ever since March 2011, it was made mandatory for mobile phone manufacturers in Korea to use a standardised input method for phones. Out of all of them, the Anycall layout was chosen to be standardised. Most likely due to the fact Anycall was a very popular phone brand in Korea and a lot of people used it.