Looking for Housing in Korea as an International Student? Discover Officetels, Studios, Goshiwons, and Share Houses—All Deposit-Free

Moving to Korea to study is exciting, but finding a place to live before you even understand the local housing terms can feel overwhelming.

Officetel, studio, goshiwon, share house — the words alone are confusing when you're not sure what each one actually looks like, let alone which one fits your budget and your stay.

On top of that, most housing in Korea asks for a large security deposit and a one-year lease, which rarely works for a student who isn't sure how long they'll stay or doesn't have a Korean guarantor.

Here's a simple breakdown of the housing types you'll come across, and a deposit-free way to skip the usual lease headaches.

The Housing Types You'll See as an International Student in Korea

Officetels

Officetels are small, self-contained studio units, usually found in city-center buildings near universities and subway stations.
Most come furnished with a bed, desk, and basic appliances.

Studios (One-Room Apartments)

Similar to officetels but usually in residential buildings rather than commercial ones.
A common choice for students who want a private, independent space.

Goshiwons

Goshiwons are very small private rooms, often with a shared bathroom and kitchen down the hall.
They've traditionally appealed to students on a tight budget, though space is limited and privacy is minimal.

Share Houses

A private bedroom inside a home shared with other tenants, with common areas like the kitchen and living room shared.
Often chosen by students who want some social contact and a lower cost than living alone.

The Real Problem Isn't the Room Type — It's the Deposit and the Lease Length

Whichever type you choose, most regular leases in Korea ask for a security deposit worth several months of rent, plus a minimum one-year contract.
For international students, that's a lot to commit to before you even know if you'll stay the full year, and it's even harder without a Korean guarantor or credit history.

This is where a deposit-free, short-term option makes the difference.

Plott LIFE Makes This Simple

Plott LIFE offers fully furnished rooms with contracts starting at just 7 days, on a day-by-day basis, so you only commit to the exact length of your program or semester.
Deposits start from 0 KRW, and rent is billed as one all-in monthly rate, so you're not tracking down separate deposit refunds or utility bills on top of the base rent.

Do International Students Need a Large Deposit to Rent in a Officetel or Studio in Korea?

Not necessarily.
With Plott LIFE, deposits start from 0 KRW, so you can move into a fully furnished officetel or studio-style room without setting aside months of rent upfront.

Quick Answers

① Contracts start from just 7 days, set to the exact number of days you need.
② Rooms come fully furnished — no need to buy or rent your own furniture.
③ Rent is billed as one all-in monthly rate, so there's no separate deposit refund process to track down.

FAQ — Housing for International Students in Korea

Q. What's the minimum lease length with Plott LIFE?

A. Contracts start from 7 days and can be set to the exact number of days you need — you're not locked into a full year.

Q. Do Plott LIFE rooms come furnished?

A. Yes, rooms are fully furnished, so you can move in with just your luggage.

Q. How much is the deposit?

A. Deposits start from 0 KRW, so you don't need to set aside a large lump sum before you even arrive.

Find a Home in Korea Before You Even Land

A short-term, deposit-free room means one less thing to worry about while you're still settling in.

Plott LIFE — Short-Term Housing Made Simple

Deposits from 0 KRW · Flexible day-based contracts from 7 days · All-in monthly rate · Fully furnished rooms