Living Like a Local: Share House vs. One Room (Studio) – Which Fits Your Seoul Student Life?
So, you are moving to Seoul! You probably have two images in your head. One is from the K-drama "Hello, My Twenties! (Age of Youth)"—living in a cute Share House, having late-night chicken and beer with housemates. The other is a cozy, private One Room (Studio) where you decorate your own space and recharge after a busy day.
Both are popular choices for international students, but they offer completely different lifestyles. How do you decide? Let’s break down the reality of living in a Share House versus a One Room in Korea.
The Share House: Instant Community
A share house is typically a large apartment where you rent a private (or shared) bedroom but share the living room, kitchen, and bathrooms with 3-7 other people.
👍 The Pros:
Instant Friends: You will never be lonely. It’s the fastest way to make friends and find people to explore Seoul with.
Language Practice: Living with Koreans or other foreigners is great for practicing your Korean skills daily.
Lower Initial Cost: Usually, the deposit (key money) is lower than a private studio.
👎 The Cons:
The Bathroom War: Sharing 1-2 bathrooms with 5 people during the morning rush hour can be stressful.
House Rules: Many share houses have strict rules (e.g., cleaning rotation, quiet hours, no overnight guests).
Lack of Privacy: If you are an introvert, having people around 24/7 might drain your energy.
The One Room (Studio): Total Freedom
In Korea, a studio apartment is called a "One Room" (원룸). It is a compact unit with your own sleeping area, kitchenette, and private bathroom all in one space.
👍 The Pros:
100% Privacy: You can walk around in your pajamas, study at 3 AM, or video call home without disturbing anyone.
No Curfew / No Rules: You are the boss. Want to invite a friend over? Go ahead.
Personal Space: You have your own fridge (no one stealing your yogurt!) and your own washing machine.
👎 The Cons:
Isolation: It can get lonely, especially when you first arrive and haven't made friends yet.
Higher Deposit: Traditional real estate agents often ask for 5M - 10M KRW deposits. (However, services like LiveAnywhere allow you to rent One Rooms with low deposits!).
Chores are All Yours: You have to manage all the cleaning, trash sorting (recycling is strict in Korea!), and cooking by yourself.
Price Comparison
Surprisingly, the monthly rent isn't drastically different.
Share House (Single Room): 450,000 - 700,000 KRW / month
One Room (Studio): 500,000 - 800,000 KRW / month (+ Management fees)
The main financial difference is usually the Deposit. But if you use a short-term rental platform, you can secure a One Room with a deposit similar to a Share House.
The Verdict – Which One is You?
Choose a Share House if: You are an extrovert, worried about being lonely, and want a "family-like" vibe.
Choose a One Room if: You value your sleep and privacy, you are sensitive to noise, or you want to experience independent adulthood in Seoul.