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renting in Korea

What Is an Officetel in South Korea, and Why Do People Live in One?

October 27, 2026October 21, 2026 by WHY KOREANS ARE
A high-rise officetel building in Seoul with commercial floors below and small residential units above

An officetel is legally an office building that people live in. Korea built the category by deregulating it one bathroom and one heated floor at a time.

Categories Seoul & Urban Korea Tags Korean housing types, officetel, property tax, renting in Korea, single-person households, zoning Leave a comment

What Is Gwanribi? Korean Apartment Maintenance Fees Explained

October 27, 2026October 18, 2026 by WHY KOREANS ARE
A courtyard between residential towers in a South Korean apartment complex

Gwanribi is the monthly fee Korean apartments charge for shared services. Here is what the law requires on the bill, and the item tenants can claim back.

Categories Money Tags gwanribi, housing costs, jeonse, Korean apartments, officetel, renting in Korea Leave a comment
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