THE OFFICIAL KOREAN PHONES THREAD
NOTE: I am not responsible if you haven't followed the instructions properly, if your device has been damaged or bricked, don't blame me.
THE MISCONCEPTION:
Okay, so let's just be clear that Korean phones do not mean CLONES, they are like phones meant to be used in Korea. Shopkeepers might try to deceive you by showing you a CLONE and calling it a KOREAN. Most shopkeepers will also use the term "Korean Original" ... there is NOTHING like Korean Original. Its just a term, nothing more.
THE DEFICIENCIES:
- They can NOT run EDGE or FM Radio --- Some may have methods available to run GPRS/EDGE. To enable EDGE on a Korean device, you may need to mess around with the baseband which can be tricky and if do not follow the steps correctly, you may end up with a corrupt
EFS folder which will result in a Generic IMEI (0049xxxxxxxxxxx) or no IMEI (0000000000000000) which means you won't get any Cellular Signal on your phone. To sum it all up, your phone will turn into an iPod.
- Their firmware is slightly different from the international models --- Might be difficult (or almost impossible) to find ROMs you may desire (say, Cyanogen Mod)
- May not have 3rd party support at all.
- Some Korean phones have either an 80 character or a 160 character limit which can be easily bypassed by using a 3rd Party SMS App such as
Textra SMS,
GO SMS Pro or
Handcent SMS.
THE DIFFERENCES:
- They can be easily spotted because most Korean phones have a
T-DMB antenna on the top meant for TV Broadcasts in South Korea.
- Korean phones have become quite popular in Pakistan, especially brands like LG and Samsung and Pantech Vega.
- The model numbers on most Samsung Korean phones start with a prefix like SHW or SHV (example: SHV-E210). LG phones also have different model numbers from the international ones. Korean phones always have either the letter L, S or K at the end, each stand for a carrier in Korea.
K = KT (Korea Telecom)
|S = SKT Telecom
|L = LG U+
K: KT phones are very common in Pakistan. They have around 7-10 bloatware apps on their devices, can be removed with root access.
S: SKT phones are also common, some of their phones even have custom ROMs and are easy to convert to the international variants, they have a lot of carrier bloatware pre-installed. The apps can be removed once the phone is rooted.
L: LG U+ phones aren't as common as the other two, some LG U+ devices also have have differences in terms of hardware compared to the other devices. They have around 9-10 bloatware apps installed, depending on the device. The apps can be removed once the phone is rooted.
FREQUENCY:
The frequency mentioned below are the ones required for GPRS/EDGE to work on Pakistani networks, and 3G/4G (when they arrive)
2G (GPRS & EDGE): 900 / 1800 MHz
3G (UMTS & HSPA): 850 MHz (Telenor) / 2100 MHz (Mobilink, Ufone, Zong, Telenor)
4G (LTE): Band 3 1800 MHz (Warid, Zong) / Band 5 850 MHz (Telenor)
Some Korean devices ending with the letter
L (LG U+) have some differences in hardware and frequencies (depending on the device).
THIS THREAD:
I'm making this thread
to compile links and info that can be useful for people who are new to Korean phones. If you guys feel that I should add more to this thread, drop me a PM and I'll add it if I haven't already.
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TOOLS:
-ODIN V3.04 -
DOWNLOAD
-Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE (SHV-E120S/K/L): This phone was the Galaxy S II made for South Korea. It has a T-DMB antenna, a 4.65" 720p HD screen, a 1.5GHz Dual-Core Scorpion Processor, Adreno 220 GPU and an 1850mAh battery. It has a few stable ROM's on XDA, click
here to root your phone, flash a custom recovery or install a custom ROM.
-Samsung Galaxy S III LTE (SHV-E210S/K/L):
Info:
The Korean variant of the Galaxy S III has the exact same specifications as the international model except for the RAM. The Korean model has 2GB of RAM (and usually 32GB of internal storage) whereas the international model comes with only 1GB RAM. Both the Korean and International version have received the Android 4.3 update. Like other Korean models, this can be easily spotted because of the T-DMB antenna on the top.
Useful Links:
Korean Galaxy S III Official Discussion Thread -
XDA
Korean Galaxy S III ROM's, Kernels etc. -
XDA
CF Auto-Root (SHV-E210S) -
DOWNLOAD
CF Auto-Root (SHV-E210L) -
DOWNLOAD
CF Auto-Root (SHV-E210K) -
DOWNLOAD
CF Auto-Root (SHW-M440S) -
DOWNLOAD
Hidden Network menu:
There is a hidden network menu on the Korean GS III, to access it dial this into your phones dialpad: 319712358
You will be asked to enter a password, the password is different and depends on which carrier your phone belongs to.
Passwords:
LG U+: 0821
SK Telecom: 996412
KT Telecom: 774632
Pre-Rooted ROMs and CWM Recovery
Now since Samsung has included KNOX security in their 4.3 update, it has become harder to root some devices running the 4.3 firmware. Some Pre-Rooted ROM's have been made available for the Korean GS III's.
To use a Pre-Rooted ROM, create a blank file called
rootme in your phones Download folder. Then flash the Pre-Rooted firmware and reboot your device. The SuperSU binaries will be installed but the app is not included in the firmware. You need to download it from the Play Store to get root access. Once you have rooted, use my tutorial
here to remove KNOX.
Pre-Rooted ROM for E210L (LG U+ variant):
DOWNLOAD - E210LKLUGMK5 - ANDROID 4.3 JELLYBEAN
Pre-Rooted ROM for E210K (KT Telecom variant):
DOWNLOAD - E210KKKUGML4 - ANDROID 4.3 JELLYBEAN
Pre-Rooted ROM for E210S (SK Telecom variant):
DOWNLOAD - E210SKSSJLK3 - ANDROID 4.1.2 JELLYBEAN
ClockWorkMod Recovery for E210 devices -
COMING SOON-----------------------------------------------------------
TOOLS:
LG Flash Tool - DOWNLOAD
LG USB Drivers - DOWNLOAD
LG IMEI Backup Tool (requires Google Translate) - HERE
Supported Models for Backup Tool:
LG LTE1: LU 6200, SU 640, P930, P935, P936
LG LTE2: F160S / K / L
LG G2: F320 S / K / L
-LG Optimus G (F180S/K/L): Is identical to the LG Optimus G International version (E975). No difference except the T-DMB antenna.
Links to rooting/flashing recovery.
Root your LG Optimus G (F180 only) by clicking
here.
Stock (KDZ) files for all LG Devices (including Optimus G)
here.
Flash CWM/TWRP for LG Optimus G (F180 only) by clicking
here.
Converting F180 to E975.
To convert to LG E975 from your F180:
Root your device, download
FreeGee to unlock your bootloader and get CWM.
Once that is done, you can download an E975 ROM and flash it via CWM.
Bricked Optimus G? Click on the spoiler!
If you have screwed up your F180/E975, click
HERE.
Custom ROMs
Custom ROM's (for F180 and E975, only flash the E975 ROM's once you have converted your device):
-OMNI ROM 4.4.2 -
XDA
-MIUI ROM 4.2.2 -
XDA
Is exactly the same as its international variant.
NOTE: You can only use FREEGEE if your device is running Android 4.1, this will not work with 4.2 Jellybean. (Credits: silverknife)
Root/recovery files.
All firmware (.KDZ) file for LG Optimus G Pro (All versions, including F240S / K / L) -
XDA / LG FIRMWARES LIST
Files for LG F240 Optimus G Pro -
XDA
Basebands for all versions of G Pro (F240S / K / L & E988) -
HERE
Root your LG Optimus G Pro (F240 only) by downloading
this file.
Install CWM on your LG Optimus G Pro (F240) with
FreeGee.
Custom ROMs
Here is a custom ROM you may want to try on your G Pro:
Official CyanogenMod 11 (Android 4.4 KitKat) Nightly Builds -
XDA
Sphinx Custom ROM for LG F240 (KitKat 4.4.2) -
XDA
COMPLETE TUTORIAL FOR UPGRADING YOUR F240 TO KITKAT 4.4.2
MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE IS CHARGED FULLY TO 100% BEFORE STARTING THE UPDATE PROCESS OR YOU MIGHT RECEIVE ERRORS.
1.Download and Install LG United Drivers from
HERE.
2.Download and Install LG Mobile Support Tool from
HERE.
3.Download KDZ flasher (R&D etc.) Files from
HERE.
4. First Open Computer From Desktop or Startbar/Menu Click Organize then click folder and search options, a window will pop up then click tab "view" then select "show hidden files" Click apply then close it.
5. Go To C:\ProgramData\LGMOBILEAX and delete all the contents/files inside that folder (LGMOBILEAX). Then Extract The Contents of "LGMOBILEAX.zip" You Downloaded in Step 3 into LGMOBILEAX Folder Located in C:\ProgramData.
6. Open Wordpad As Administrator then click the menu bar and select open and go to C:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/ then open "hosts" and paste 127.0.0.1 csmg.lgmobile.com in last line (Do Put Hash "#" in Last line ) then click
save and close it.
7. Download Official Kitkat From
This Thread.
8. When You Have Done All the Above Steps, Create a Folder on desktop Named "KDZ Flasher" Extract "LG_KDZ_FW-Update_OfflineFix ( 2 ).zip" in that Folder ( KDZ Flasher ) then Download
this. Delete "Automatic Offline Procedure.vbs" from the folder (KDZ Flasher) you created on desktop. Extract "Automatic_Offline_Procedure.zip" in the folder ( KDZ Flasher ) you created on dektop.
9. Then Open "Automatic Offline Procedure.vbs" You Extracted In The Folder ( KDZ Flasher ) You Created On Desktop. Then Click If A Window pops up click Yes. Open Windows Enabler As Administrator and enable it by clicking one time on it in side tray.
10.Now Open UpTestEX_mod2_marwin.exe from the folder "KDZ_FW_UPD_EN". Check If First Drop Down Bar is on 3gqct and drop down bar is on cs_emergency.
11. Turn Your Phone Off. Connect usb cable to pc/laptop not to phone then hold both the volume buttons (Keep Holding Volume Buttons) and plug usb cable to phone till you see download mode on screen and release volume buttons. When you connect your phone to download mode there should be a device named "LGE Modem" under Modems in Device Manager just Disable it.
12. Press Normal Web Upgrade In Bottom Of UpTestEX tool. Note: Do not press Start Upgrade on below drop down bars UpTestEX Tool. A Window Will Pop Up Then Press Start Upgrade.
13. Wait Till a Window Pops Up Select Country As Republic of Korea And Select English as Language If There’s nothing in Language then Leave it and press ok. A Window Will Pop Up Saying"Please Check Internet Line/Connection" Click cancel.
14. A Windows Will Pop Up And Your Mobile Will Start Flashing Do Not Remove the cable or Turn off your pc till your phone reboots to kikat, Enjoy! And Do Factory Reset After Flashing KDZ - See more at:
http://www.pakgamers.com/forums/f11...es-thread-hey-191533/index20.html#post2365328
The Cat.6 LTE-A variant of the LG G3. Made for South Korean networks to be compatible with their advanced LTE technology. It has an edge over the ordinary G3, which sports a Snapdragon 801, used in the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8, the Cat.6 G3 has a Snapdragon 805, the same processor used in the Nexus 6 or Galaxy Note 4.
DO NOT MIX THIS PHONE WITH THE ORDINARY KOREAN G3 WITH MODEL NUMBER F400 S/K/L
Luckily thanks to Mokee and JZShminer, a working ROM (AOSP) and recovery have been developed for this variant.
TWRP FOR F460 -
LINK (XDA)
CyanogenMod 13.0 (Unofficial) -
LINK (XDA)
Mokee Open Source (AOSP) -
LINK (WEBSITE)
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SKY USB Drivers - DOWNLOAD
Android Recovery for Pantech Vega phones - DOWNLOAD
TIPS:
Here are some tips for Vega smartphone users:
To enter recovery mode: Vol Down + Search Button + Power Button (power button needs to be pressed twice if on stock recovery and only once when CWM/TWRP are installed).
Software Upgrade Mode: Volume Up + Search Button + Power Button
Fastboot Mode: Volume Up + Volume Down + Power Button
USB Debugging: Always enable USB Debugging when attempting to root/flash/update your phone. It can be enabled by selecting the USB Debugging option in Development settings.
NOTE: The official upgrade service provided by Pantech is unreliable and the worst way to upgrade your device's firmware. The upgrading is done online when you connect your phone to the PC in Software Upgrade Mode, the website will download the new OS file on to your phone. This can take up to 2 hours due to slow servers and if the internet connection is lost or there is an electricity outage you may end up with a bricked phone. Fortunately for Pantech users there is a workaround for this.
See this link on how to flash a ROM (without using the Pantech upgrade service).
Many guides will also ask you to run a .bat file which will automatically open a page in your browser, if the page doesn't open try manually copying the web address from whatever Server Emulator the guide is telling you to use. Sometimes the progress indicator on the webpage might stop, leave your phone connected to the PC for at least 20 minutes, in most cases the flashing is completed without the progress indicator.
-Pantech Vega LTE (IM-A800S / K / L):
Is a medium sized Pantech smartphone released in late 2011, it comes with either Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) or 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) pre-installed. The screen measures 4.5" with a resolution of 800x1280 (335 ppi), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (with SDCard slot), it has a Dual-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor clocked at 1.5GHz with an Adreno 220 GPU. Has an 8MP camera capable of recording 1080p Full HD videos. It is a great phone for its price, the display is bright and the camera is good. The cons are that it has very poor development support (Custom ROMs in Chinese/Vietnamese) and accessories and parts such as covers, batteries flipcovers etc are not easily available.
NOTE: If you update your device to the latest available OS Version (4.1.2 Jellybean), and you would like to gain root access on your device, it may be difficult to find the root/recovery file for that particular OS.
In my case my phone was already upgraded to 4.1.2 official rom, and it took me over 2 weeks to root it as all the rooting guides I ever found were intended for either 2.3 GB stock Rom or 4.0.4 ICS Rom. Same goes for CWM/TWRP recovery and custom rom support.
-
osum101
DOWNGRADE:
Like other smartphone manufactures, Pantech does NOT offer official downgrading services.
If you want to flash a custom ROM on your device and it requires downgrading, first download the flashable .zip of ICS 4.0.4 Stock ROM for Vega A800.
Sometimes custom ROMs do require you to flash a Stock ROM and then install the Custom ROM. If you have flashed a custom ROM without flashing the Stock ROM, you may break the bootloader and the device will be stuck at initial boot sequence.
ROOT:
Getting root access on your device basically means gaining access to the RESTRICTED partition of your device, there are many benefits from rooting your device. You can remove bloatware (System Applications), install modifications which could change the look of your device or improving performance or flashing a custom ROM or for development purposes.
ROOT METHOD 1:
Thanks to XDA member
ducanh.do88 - XDA (Detailed method)
Here are the tools for rooting your device:
Devices running Gingerbread 2.3.5 -
DOWNLOAD
Devices running Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 -
DOWNLOAD
To root your A800S / K / L:
-Enable USB Debugging (method to enable USB Debugging is under the 'Tips' section).
-Connect your A800S / K / L to your PC.
-Run
root_me.bat
For more methods refer to
this link or
this one.
NOTE: If this method does not work, make sure your USB Debugging is enabled and the phone is properly plugged in with USB Drivers installed.
ROOT METHOD 2:
Download either of these tools to root your phone
VROOT -
DOWNLOAD (Download the English version)
SRS ROOT -
DOWNLOAD (Requires internet connection during the root process)
Both these programs have been tested.
Steps:
-Turn on USB Debugging.
-Connect phone to PC.
-Run the downloaded program.
-To unroot repeat the steps again
VROOT: Is simple, easy and requires the least user input, BUT it installs KING USER instead of the ordinary SUPERUSER application. It works the same but if you face compatibility issues, remove it and install SuperUser instead with SRS ROOT.
SRS ROOT: It installs the latest version of SUPERUSER with latest binaries and BusyBox, it requires a working internet connection and the the rooting process is interactive, follow the onscreen instructions carefully, the software may tell you to select different options on your phone so follow the steps in the correct sequence.
ROOT METHOD 3:
This method is for those devices that run on Android 4.1.2 Jellybean, the above methods (1 & 2) will only work for devices running 2.3.5 or 4.0.4 ICS.
So you can flash Stock ICS 4.0.4 ROM and use either Method 1 or 2 to root or you can follow the steps below:
-Download
Frama Root 1.6.apk (and copy it to your devices internal storage)
-Install the app on your phone.
-Run the app.
-Choose Abuses will lead to banalf Exploit.
-Reboot your device.
-Rooting process is complete.
More guides coming soon!
-Pantech Vega R3 (IM-A850S / K / L): The Vega R3 is a high-end Pantech smartphone with a 5.3" 720p screen (at 277ppi), 2GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064 chipset with 1.5GHz Quad-Core Krait CPU and an Adreno 320 GPU.
Click HERE for upgrading, rooting your phone (A850S/ K / L).
And click HERE if you messed up your phone because you didn't follow the steps properly 
-Pantech Vega LTE-A (IM-A880S / K / L): This is a high-end Pantech phablet, with a 5.6" 1920x1080 display, Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2.3GHz Quad-Core processor, 13MP camera and 2GB of RAM.
To root your phone, flash recovery and fix the SMS issue click on the XDA link. - XDA
And have a look at this if you like, it has the specs written down, some unboxing photos and links to some chinese/vietnamese custom ROMs. - HERE
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If you have a KitKat (4.4) running device and you want root access, TowelRoot may work on your device. Once you open the app, press the button saying 'Make it Ra1n' and if a reboot is necessary, do it. Then go directly to Play Store and update your SuperSU to the latest version and then reboot. Verify your device has root access and enjoy.
TowelRoot can be downloaded from the TR website.
Credits:
NOTE: Some downloadable files are being hosted on my Google Drive, so they're safe. 
