Housing types
원룸Studio apartment (one room + bathroom)
투룸Two-room apartment
오피스텔Officetel (small apartment, often in commercial buildings)
자취Living alone / independent living
하숙Boarding house (meals included)
쉐어하우스Share house (shared living)
고시원Tiny study room (cheapest option, very small)
부동산Real estate agency
직방/다방Housing apps (like Zillow for Korea)
Textbook원룸을 임대하고 싶습니다won-rum-eul im-dae-ha-go sip-seup-ni-daI would like to rent a studio apartment
Real이 근처에 원룸 나온 거 있어요?i geun-cheo-e won-rum na-on geo it-eo-yo?Are there any studios available around here?🏷️ Any casual setting
나온 거 (something that came out) = available listings. Korean housing searches start at local 부동산 (real estate offices — the small shops with green signs everywhere) or on apps like 직방, 다방, 피터팬의 좋은 방.
Room hunting phrases
보증금 얼마예요?How much is the deposit?
월세 얼마예요?How much is monthly rent?
관리비 포함이에요?Is maintenance fee included?
방 볼 수 있어요?Can I see the room?
입주 가능일이 언제예요?When can I move in?
짐 없이 들어가도 돼요?Can I move in without furniture? (= is it furnished?)
Korean apartment hunting always involves: 보증금 (deposit), 월세 (monthly rent), 관리비 (maintenance). ALWAYS ask about 관리비 — it can add 50,000-200,000 won on top of your rent.
Korean housing hack: 부동산 agents get paid by the landlord (usually), so their service is 'free' to you — but they'll push pricier places. Check 직방/다방 apps first to know market prices, THEN visit the 부동산. Knowledge is your negotiation power.
Quick Quiz