상세 컨텐츠
본문
Day 6: Finding a Home in Korea – Deposits, Studios, and Paperwork
Confused by Korea’s rent system? From jeonse to officetels, here’s my honest guide to renting a home in Korea — including the mistakes I made.
I thought I was just finding a place to sleep. Turns out, I was stepping into a real estate maze armed only with Google Translate and blind optimism.
So, here’s what nobody really tells you before moving to Korea: finding a place to live can be a full-blown emotional saga.
When I first landed in Seoul, I thought I’d grab a coffee, meet a realtor, and be unpacking by the weekend. Fast-forward two weeks: I’m sitting on the floor of a guesthouse, crying over a rental contract I couldn't read, while holding a pen I wasn’t sure I should use.
Let’s rewind and break down how housing in Korea actually works — or doesn’t.
Still adjusting to life in Korea? Before you dive into housing, check out the 10 things I wish I knew before moving here.
👉 Read Day 3: Living in Korea as a Foreigner
🔑 “Jeonse” vs. “Wolse”: What Even Are These?
The first thing your brain will trip over is the rent system.
You know how most countries have monthly rent? Korea does too, but with a twist:
* Jeonse (전세):
You pay a HUGE lump-sum deposit upfront (think \$50,000 to \$100,000), but no monthly rent. You get the deposit back at the end.
Sounds crazy? It is. But Koreans love it.
* Wolse (월세):
A smaller deposit (usually ₩3–10 million) + monthly rent. What most foreigners go for.
I tried to act cool when the realtor mentioned "jeonse." I nodded like I understood, then immediately Googled it in the bathroom.
Pro tip: stick with wolse unless you’re secretly rich or born with Korean paperwork skills.
🧑💼 My First Encounter With a Korean Realtor
Ah yes, the 공인중개사 — or as I now call them, The Gatekeepers.
I walked into a tiny office in Mapo wearing a hopeful smile.
The realtor greeted me with "Are you working or studying?" (They ask this a lot. Get used to it.)
Then came rapid-fire questions in Korean. I answered in my best broken phrases, and we somehow got through it. Then she showed me... a shoebox.
I kid you not, the "apartment" was the size of a walk-in closet. No windows. The bed touched the fridge.
I still said “와, 좋네요!” out of politeness. A mistake.
That day, I learned two things:
1. Never fake enthusiasm — they’ll take you less seriously.
2. Always ask if the place is 옥탑방 (rooftop) or 반지하 (semi-basement). I saw both. Once with a mold problem.
🏢 Officetel vs. One-Room: Which Tiny Box Is Right for You?
In Korea, your options are typically:
* One-room (원룸):
Small studio, often in older buildings. Cheaper. Might have weird smells. Usually no elevator.
* Officetel (오피스텔):
Modern, sometimes used as both office + residence. More expensive, but better facilities (elevator, security, delivery box).
I lived in both. My officetel had a microwave, aircon, and actual insulation.
My one-room had... a neighbor who sang trot at 2 a.m.
Both had charm, but if you can afford it, officetel wins. Your sanity will thank you.
📑 The Paperwork Maze (a.k.a. How I Almost Lost ₩5 Million)
Let’s talk contracts.
You’ll be expected to sign a rental agreement (임대차계약서), usually in Korean.
Unless you have a Korean friend, you're on your own. I tried using Papago to translate page by page. It mostly worked... until I skipped the part about “maintenance fees.”
Big mistake.
Turns out I owed ₩200,000 per month on top of rent. For hallway lights, water tank cleaning, and a mysterious “elevator fund” (on a 3rd-floor walkup?!).
I nearly cried again.
**Lesson:** Always ask:
* Is maintenance included?
* What’s the exact deposit and monthly rent?
* Are there penalties for early move-out?
If possible, get someone to review the contract. If not, beg your realtor for a version in English. They might say no. Ask again, nicely but firmly.
🧳 What to Bring (and What You’ll Regret Buying)
Things apartments in Korea often *don’t* come with:
* Bed
* Washing machine
* Microwave
* Closet (nope, not a joke)
* Curtains
I once bought a full-size bed... only to realize I couldn’t get it through the stairwell. I slept on a futon for a month.
Also, I bought a mini-fridge that made horror movie noises at night. Returned it. Got store credit. Used that to buy rice.
Pro tip: Always measure first. Then measure again. Then stop buying stuff until you actually move in.
Once you find your new home, the next question is — what’s for dinner? And where do you find it?
👉 Read Day 4: Eating Out in Korea
🧠 Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
1. Said “yes” too fast
I felt pressure to take the first decent place. Wait. There are always more listings.
2. Didn’t check for mold
Look under the sink, behind the toilet, and in the corners. Bring your nose.
3. Ignored sunlight
A south-facing window makes winter 100x better. Trust me.
4. Didn’t ask about neighbors
My upstairs neighbor had a toddler with a jump rope. At 11 p.m.
5. Forgot to ask if deposit was refundable
Don’t assume. Ever. Ask clearly: "보증금 돌려받을 수 있나요?("bojeung-geum dollyeobad-eul su issnayo?")
HiKorea: Foreigner Housing Guide
Zigbang (직방): Rental Listings in Korea
Naver Real Estate – Korean only, but packed with listings
🗣 Have you ever looked for a home in Korea? What was your experience like?
Got questions or a story to share? Drop it in the comments below!
Your tips could really help the next confused expat. 🙌
💬 Korean Words That Saved My Butt
* 계약서 (gye-yak-seo) — contract
* 보증금 (bo-jeung-geum) — deposit
* 월세 (wol-se) — monthly rent
* 관리비 (gwan-ri-bi) — maintenance fee
* 공인중개사 (gong-in-jung-gae-sa) — realtor
* 옵션 (op-syeon) — furniture/appliance included
Learn these. Write them down. Screenshot this list.
Your future housing sanity depends on them.
🤯 The Time I Almost Signed for the Wrong Apartment
One time, I got super excited about an apartment near Hongdae.
Perfect size, great light, near a subway station.
I was about to sign... when my Korean friend noticed the contract listed a different unit. Smaller. No windows. Different floor.
I had almost signed for the wrong apartment.
The realtor apologized. Said it was a “copy-paste mistake.” I still don’t know if it was.
But I never trusted contracts blindly again.
🎬 Final Thoughts
Finding a home in Korea is weirdly emotional. You’ll feel frustrated, exhausted, maybe even betrayed by a rogue real estate agent.
But eventually, you’ll unlock your own perfect slice of Korean life — however tiny it may be.
It might not have a closet. It might buzz from fluorescent lights. But it’ll be *yours*. And one day, when someone asks you how to rent in Korea, you’ll smile and say:
“Oh, let me tell you a story…”
🔜 What’s Next?
Day 7: Eating Out in Korea — From BBQ Wins to Ordering Fails :)
Also, missed Day 5?
I got yelled at by an ATM. It was as bad as it sounds.
👉 [Read Day 5 here]
