All About The Culture Of Living Alone & Its Trends In Korea
Individuals that live alone are steadily increasing in Korea. What is the culture and trends behind this?
Source: ohou.se
Who do you live with? Your parents? Your partner? Or alone?
In Korea, there are many different living arrangements that exist. Specifically, individuals that live alone have been increasing.
Today, we will learn more about the culture of living alone in Korea.
It just so happens that today, I visited a friend that lives alone too!
The Difference Between Independence & Living Alone
Source: Hyosung FMS
Currently in Korea, 30% of the total number of households, 1,118,000 households (as of 2020) live alone.
There are many reasons one may choose to live alone. Among them, those in their twenties and thirties make up for the largest percentage at 35%. And most households in their twenties to thirties are single-person households.
Single-person households and living alone have the same meaning legally, but they are defined slightly differently in everyday life.
A single-person household holds the definition that they are living a completely independent life economically, but individuals that moved out and live alone hold the definition that they are able to seek help from their parents at any given time.
There may be exceptions of course, but most college students in their twenties and early thirties get help from their parents.
I currently live in Korea as a college student and there isn't a single friend who lives alone that doesn't get their parents' help!
Source: TVN
So, why does the younger generation in Korea continue to live alone with the help of their parents?
In the early to mid-twenties, individuals usually choose to move out and live alone for education purposes. The rate for university education in Korea is very high at over 70%.
It would be convenient to go to university in the area where you originally live, but that's very unlikely.
Unlike other countries that have prestigious universities in each region, good universities in Korea are mostly in Seoul. That's why a lot of high school students study with the end goal of moving to Seoul.
So, if a person living in an area far from Seoul attends university in the city, they will have to re-locate.
Of course, it would be nice to be able to live in a dormitory at a university, but the buildings aren't large enough to accommodate all students. So these students have no choice but to find housing on their own.
The same applies to individuals who just recently got a new job at a company. If their home is too far away from work, they have no choice but to move out closer to work.
But, it is quite impossible for these college students and newly hired individuals to pay the rent.
Especially in Seoul, rent is much higher in the city than in other provinces. Rent may also increase if the house is located near universities or companies.
For this reason, they can't dream of a spacious home and most live in a one room (원룸). One room is one of the most affordable housing options and is usually about 16.5 m² to 19.8m² in size.
In order to find a studio of this size in Seoul, a deposit of 5 million to 10 million won, and a monthly rent of 500,000 to 700,000 won are required. If you raise the deposit, you can lower the monthly rent.
You can usually negotiate the deposit and monthly rent with the landlord before signing the lease.
On average, a contract of monthly rent is about two years. Then after 2 years, they may choose to renew or move to another house. Or they may even choose to move back in with their parents.
Living Alone Trends
What comes to your mind first when you think of living alone in your country?
Many years ago in Korea, when you think of living alone, the image of living in a narrow and stuffy room was the first to come to mind. Since you aren't completely independent and it's usually only for a short period of time, you are just looking for a place to sleep.
Source: Ohou.se Facebook
Over the years, the image of living alone has changed. Even if the space is small, the desire for my own space in a nicely decorated room has increased. The idea of living alone is highly romanticized now.
Source: Ohou.se Facebook
There are many items that have become popular and they have the following characteristics in common.
1. High space utilization: Because the rooms are small, the space needs to be fully utilized to its max.
2. Low price, high performance: University students and newly employed individuals are not financially stable yet so they choose items that won't burn a hole in their wallets.
3. Easy to dispose: They prefer items that are easy to dispose of because they may return to their parents' homes.
Of course, they all have to be cute items!
Source: Ohou.se Facebook
I enjoy going over to my friends so I've seen various different types of homes.
I will mainly introduce the most popular items!
1. Bed Tray
A bed tray is a popular item that many people use. Because the space is small, it is difficult to use a large table. So instead many opt for a smaller tray they can use on their beds.
There are two main types of bed trays.
Source: Ohou.se
First is this mini desk tray that can be used on the bed as in the photo. It's a folding desk so when it's not in use, you can fold it up and put it aside. This is a great way to utilize space.
Source: Ohou.se
These days, there are even desks that have a cup holder and a holder for a tablet or phone. Last year I noticed my friend using one of these for her online Zoom class and it looked so comfortable that I wanted one for myself!
Source: Ohou.se
The second is a form that is installed on the outer frame of the bed like this. When not in use, it can be pushed towards the end of the bed. This is also a great way to utilize space and is much more secure than the previous tray.
Source: MBC
Kim Sejeong, who appeared in MBC's entertainment show I Live Alone has been shown using this bed tray after she moved out on her own. She is having a whole meal on this desk!
2. Wall Art Desk
I'm sure you know what a wall art and desk is, but you're probably wondering what a wall art desk is.
Source: Ohou.se
In the photo on the left, you can see that the desk is stored as wall art for interior decor but also can be used as a desk when you need it!
Korea uses a lot of folding tables as it developed a culture of sitting on the floor. By putting a pretty design on the desk, it can also be used as a cute wall art once folded.
Source: Ohou.se
Since these wall art desks are so popular, there are many different designs being made. If you get one that fits your room's aesthetic, it can really be utilized beautifully!
3. Folding Baths
There are no bathtubs in a small studio. Whenever I visit my friends, I'm surprised at how small the bathrooms are! It feels like a shower, toilet and sink are all placed together in a tight space.
That's why a lot of people can't take baths even if they want to. Usually, you can visit a public bath often but because of Covid, we can't even dream of visiting a public bath.
Source: Ohou.se
For the reasons above, I will introduce a folding bathtub, an item that has risen to popularity recently. As shown in the photo above, these folding bathtubs can be unfolded and used when needed. After use, you just have to wash it and fold it away to keep it clean and convenient.
Source: Ohou.se
If you're looking for a smaller and convenient tub, there are also these circular bathtubs! Because of its cylindrical shape, it's good for one person to squat and use. Thanks to this item, individuals have been able to distress in a tub.
I also remember gifting this bathtub to my friend who lives alone.
4. Sofa Bed
Source: Ohou.se
A sofa bed is also an item that can highly utilize space. When folded, it can be used as a sofa for sitting and when you open it, it can be turned into a bed!
This photo was taken when I went over to my friends. She enjoys inviting people over, so she has a sofa bed in addition to her own bed.
As in the photo, these can be used as a sofa but when guests come over it can be turned into a bed.
Source: Ohou.se
At first, I doubted its comfort but it was a lot more comfortable than I thought. It's not so different from a bed.
If you want to place a sofa but don't have any room, or if you enjoy inviting friends over I highly recommend these sofa beds!
5. Partition
Source: ohou.se
Partitions are also used in studio apartments a lot. There are many various types of partitions but the item that is most loved by Koreans is the iron partitions!
Source: Ohou.se
Why are partitions so popular? First, it has the advantage of separating the space. In a studio, space is not well separated so it's an inconvenience. A desk right in front of the kitchen, a bed right behind the desk, and a toilet next to it.
That's why a partition is needed to separate these spaces.
Source: Ohou.se
Also, partitions with these plaid shapes can even be used as a hanger or a shelf for extra storage. Since studios have little space to store things, they can be used very nicely for those purposes.
6. Door Hanger Laundry Rack
Source: Ohou.se
Door hanger laundry racks are also items to increase space utilization. Usually, laundry racks take up a lot of space.
When I visited my friend before, she had a laundry rack in a narrow studio and the house felt very cluttered.
Source: Ohou.se
However, all you need to do is hang these racks up on the door. And when not in use, you can fold it away! I got one to hang on the bathroom door and it's so convenient for the days with less laundry!
7. Window Locks
Source: Ohou.se
This item is not for space utilization or interior decoration. However, it's used a lot by Koreans as it's very important for safety.
Unless it's a tall building, usually studios are located on low floors.
Source: snap type
Also, a neighbourhood with many studio apartments is known as one room chon (원룸촌), meaning "one room village" but the security of these neighbourhoods is not very good. Especially near the university, there are many drunk people with dim street lights which makes it pretty scary at night.
In fact, there are a lot of crimes that target people who live alone. Because of its low buildings, crimes such as a break-in or peeking through a window seem to occur quite often.
Source: Ohou.se
That's why many people, especially women that live alone use this item. This window lock can be installed into the window frame and when installed, the window will be locked in place.
Of course, it's simple to install and disassemble so if you ever want to ventilate, you may just remove it and use it.
Even if you are not living on your own, it can be used for families with small children or pets.
Today we learned about the living-alone culture and its trends in Korea!
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I'll be back next time with fun and exciting content! Thank you for reading.