History and Reality of Apartments in Korea: Why Most Koreans Live in Them

(Explore the history and culture of Seoul’s apartment life—from post-war development to today’s housing trends, through the eyes of someone who’s lived it.)

 

Life in a Sea of Apartments: My Story from Seoul

In Korea, apartments are everywhere.
Here in Seoul, where I live now, they make up about 60% of all housing.

After the Korean War, as people flooded into the capital in search of work and stability, the government started building tall apartment buildings to meet the demand for housing. That’s how Korea’s apartment culture really began.

What’s interesting is how uniform these apartments are — not just on the outside, but on the inside, too. The layouts are often so standardized that when competition is fierce, people sometimes sign a contract to buy an apartment without even stepping inside.

Lately though, there’s been a growing desire for something different. More and more people are feeling confined by these identical living spaces and are dreaming of homes with personality — even building their own houses in areas where land is more affordable.

I can relate. I actually spent my childhood in a countryside house, surrounded by space and nature. While apartment life in Seoul is undeniably convenient, I sometimes find myself missing the freedom and uniqueness of my old home.

Here’s a photo of what a typical Seoul apartment looks like.
To many, it’s just a building — but to us, it’s a glimpse into how modern Korean life has been shaped.