It’s been a while since I last talked about my experience living in a goshiwon in Seoul (고시원).
I lived in one as an exchange student at Seoul National University years ago.
However, it’s still a relatively popular accommodation choice for students, or even some adults and budget-conscious holidayers.
So whether you’re a student, traveller or someone looking for cheap accommodation in Seoul, here’s the lowdown on goshiwons or gosiwons in Seoul.
What Is A Goshiwon?
A goshiwon or 고시원 typically refers to a space that students live in while studying during term or to focus on their tests.
Sometimes a whole building complex will house goshiwon-type rooms, or it could just take up several floors in a building.
This is why you’ll usually find that there are many goshiwons options around universities, and why resources like Goshipages groups them according to university neighbourhoods.
Living in a goshiwon is a relatively cheap option in Seoul and goshiwon prices in Seoul usually range from 280,000 to 700,000 KRW a month, or 200 to 500 USD approximately, in 2023.
A goshiwon room typically falls into these different categories:
- Room without window, shared bathroom
- Room with window, shared bathroom
- Room without window, private bathroom
- Room with window, private bathroom
As you can guess, the prices for the goshiwon rooms go up when you have windows and when you choose to have your own private bathroom.
Regardless of room type, your room will usually have these essentials: a bed, a work desk, a closet or shelves, a fridge and a television or monitor screen.
Goshiwons As A Budget-Friendly Accommodation In Seoul For Travellers
Nowadays, you don’t actually have to be an exchange student or a student in Korea to live in goshiwon.
Many goshiwons have actually begun offering short-term stays to travellers and allowing them to pay a daily rate.
I’ve not stayed in a goshiwon since I left school, but I’m considering staying there for my next trip to Seoul simply because of how cheap it is!
You can even use sites like Booking.com or Agoda to book a goshiwon in Seoul for a short-term stay just to see if the goshiwon life is suitable for you.
Here are some goshiwon in Seoul options I found that were decently priced, clean and received good reviews that allow short-term travellers:
1. Sadang House in Gwanak-gu
Sadang House in the Gwanak-gu area has a number of listings on Agoda but most of them average a rating of 8.5. It gets my vote because it’s a woman-only goshiwon (safety!) that’s extremely clean, with a minimalist aesthetic.
Granted, it is located a little far away from the central part of Seoul, where most of the attractions are, but it’s a quick subway ride away from the buzzy Hongdae area. Those who are studying in Seoul National University (as I did!) will also find this to be a good base to head to school from.
2. Bestel Residence in Gangnam
Situated just 1.8km from Gangnam station, Bestel Residence has an 8.9 rating on Booking.com, which probably makes it one of the best goshiwons in Seoul (on Booking.com at least!)
It also has rave reviews about its hosts who are said to be hospitable and English-speaking. A plus is that the goshiwon is located near Nambu Bus Terminal if you’re planning for short-trips outside of Seoul.
3. Ellie’s Gangnam Private Room in Gangnam
I’m not quite sure what the name of this goshiwon is, but what I do know is that Ellie is a female host who cares a lot about the guests she receives. She hosts some rooms on Agoda and all of them are centrally located in Gangnam, making it a convenient spot for those who might want to undergo cosmetic procedures or facials in the area.
As a traveller herself, Ellie prides herself in keeping her rooms in Gangnam clean and well-equipped. Plus, she replies quickly, too!
4. Rodem House in Gangnam
Rodem House is a goshiwon in Gangnam that’s been around for quite a while and has seen many international travellers through its doors. Its slightly lower rating of 7.1 might raise alarm bells for some of us, but it still serves its purpose as a place to lay your head.
One of the biggest plus points about Rodem House is its central location in Gangnam, and proximity to the Sinnyeohyeon station, which is a major interchange and also a bustling hub. Some gripes include its small size and slightly old interior, but again, at its price point and convenience, it is an absolute steal.
5. Ivy Residence in Jongno
Ivy Residence seems relatively new on Booking.com but has a stellar rating of 10, besides being located near many attractions in Seoul, such as Myeongdong, the palaces and even Namdaemun Market.
What I particularly like about this goshiwon, too, is that they provide kettles in each room, on top of a fridge (saving you the trip of going into the communal kitchen for your cuppa). Perfect for those of us who absolutely need a hot cup of coffee to start the day.
6. Choco Residence in Hongdae
Choco Residence is arguably one of the best Seoul goshiwons for travellers, rated 8.7 on Booking.com and just 500 metres from the nearest subway station.
I personally love Hongdae for its vibrance, food and shopping options, and being able to stay there for a fraction of the price is a huge draw.
7. Irich House in Gangnam
Located about 3.9km from Gangnam station, Irich House is another great Seoul goshiwon to stay at if you love Seoul nightlife.
Why I Chose To Stay In A Goshiwon
I lived in Seoul as an exchange student and studied at Seoul National University for one semester.
The dormitories were under repair and they gave priority to students from poorer countries (likely on the basis that dormitories were subsidised accommodations and hence cheaper for these students).
We were given the option to stay in a type of apartment called One Room (원룸) in the campus vicinity.
It is essentially a mini apartment, complete with a bed, bathroom and light cooking facilities, but at lower prices — also a popular choice among students.
The downside with One Rooms is that they often require you to place a deposit, known as Jeon Se (전세) on top of your monthly rent, known as Wol Se (월세). The more deposit money you place, the lower your monthly rent.
I was there for a few months as an exchange student and the idea of leaving a big chunk of deposit money with a system I was unfamiliar with, didn’t quite appeal to me.
And so I chose to live in a goshiwon near the university instead, for one semester and a few extra weeks, amounting to about 5 months.
Pros Of Living In A Goshiwon In Seoul
- The monthly rent for a goshiwon includes utilities. Whatever is quoted to you is the only amount you’d need to pay for the month. You may however need to pay an additional month upfront as a deposit, depending on your goshiwon.
- You have access to a communal kitchen which comes with free rice, ramyeon, kimchi and other side dishes.
- Goshiwon rooms come fully furnished — most usually come with a bed, desk, shelves, wardrobe and a mini-fridge. Some even include televisions or a monitor screen — great for doing school work or watching Netflix.
- Simpler trash sorting. When I lived in a goshiwon, I just needed to sort my trash between normal trash and recyclables — the goshiwon would do the rest. Things might have changed.
But the perk of living in shared housing is that you get to ask for help if the trash sorting system confuses you!
- You live with other people so it’s more social. If you do feel like some social interaction sometimes, you can make conversation in the communal spaces.
Cons Of Living In a Goshiwon In Seoul
- It is very small so it is not great for you if you are claustrophobic. I wasn’t and I loved how much little space I needed to upkeep. Plus I was barely in my room as an exchange student so I really just needed a space to lay my head at night.
- You can’t have friends or visitors over. My goshiwon allowed one friend of the same gender over, but you’d have to sign them in. Most goshiwons don’t typically allow guests.
- You need to share the kitchen. Which is not ideal if you love cooking or prefer homecooked food. Again, this didn’t matter much to me because it was inexpensive to eat out and I could also eat in school.
- You hear everything. The rooms are usually packed really closely to each other and the soundproofing is poor. So don’t be surprised if you hear conversations from your neighbours. You might also be asked to keep it down if you’re on calls and such.
How To Find A Goshiwon In Seoul?
You can use resources like Goshipages or even Agoda to find a goshiwon for rent in Seoul.
Goshiwons are pretty much a uniquely Korean-style accommodation and as a result, many goshiwon owners do not speak much English or English at all.
But this is changing, especially with more foreigners choosing to live in Goshiwon.
If you want to stay in a goshiwon in Seoul long-term (i.e. more than a month), use Goshipages to find the email addresses or Kakao IDs of a suitable goshiwon.
Goshipages even allows you to look near universities so you can search for example, for a goshiwon near Yonsei or a goshiwon near Korea University if that’s what you’re looking for.
If you want to stay in a goshiwon in Seoul short-term as a traveller or even as a summer student, then use Agoda to find suitable goshiwon-style rooms.
Here are some goshiwons in Seoul I’d recommend:
- Sadang House (Gwanak)
- Ellie’s Gangnam Private Rooms (Gangnam)
- Rodem House (Gangnam)
- Ivy Residence (Jongno)
- Choco Residence (Hongdae)
- Bestel Residence
- Irich House (Gangnam)
FAQs On Goshiwons In Seoul
How Much Does A Goshiwon Cost In Seoul?
A goshiwon in Seoul can cost anywhere from 280,000 to 700,000 KRW a month. The goshiwon’s price is dependent on whether the room has a private bathroom and windows.
You can also expect to pay higher prices if your goshiwon is located closer to a university or to amenities.
Where Can I Find Goshiwons In Seoul?
You can find them using resources like Goshipages for longer-term stays or Agoda for shorter-term stays.
Liaising directly with the goshiwon themselves will always get you a better rate, but I find that the benefits of using an English site like Agoda is that you have tried-and-tested reviews as well as a free cancellation option.
Who Lives In A Goshiwon?
Students are usually the ones who live in a goshiwon. These can be university students who need cheap accommodation near their school, or students studying for state or bar exams.
However, it is not uncommon nowadays to find tourists also living in goshiwons as a cheap budget-friendly accommodation choice.
Sites like Agoda, Booking.com and Airbnb have also begun including goshiwons, so it’s only a matter of time before you’ll see more foreigners and tourists in goshiwons.
Due to rising costs of living, some low-income workers may also live in goshiwons, though this is at the discretion of the goshiwon hosts.
I hope this article has helped you better decide if living in a goshiwon in Seoul is the right choice for you.
For me, living in a goshiwon definitely had its pros but admittedly it was also a very small space.
Goshiwons are a great and cheap accommodation choice for a short period of time, but if I had been living in Seoul for a longer period, I would have probably opted to live in a One Room or an apartment for more privacy and space.
Let me know if my article managed to help you with your search for a goshiwon in Seoul. If not, drop me an email if you have more questions!
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