Entry 7: Unrealistic Korean Homes from Korean Dramas vs Reality

Well the topic on my mind is just how far fetched the Korean dramas can be when really in real life in Korea it’s usually not how things are depicted. The rich and wealthy in Korean Dramas live in homes that are sort of remote and private which is defiantly not how the rich behave in Korea.

 

Single homes in Korea especially Seoul are limited and expensive it’s worth a lot more at times because of the valuable land the house is built on. What I find most times is that homes like these usually don’t have a ton of yard space and parking can be a challenge without a garage.

Usually ultra modern single homes in Korea are located far from Seoul like in Pyeongchang or elsewhere. Still Koreans long to stay in Seoul to live, to work, and to play.

We have apartments.

There are apartments for the wealthy elite and for the company workers. Apartments have plenty of car space and are close to shops, restaurants, and public transportation.

Most rich families in Korea made their money with money they inherited or the land properties they managed to make a gold mine out of.

Sure their are people who worked their way up through business or by having successful careers usually through medicine.(SURGEONS!)

This is what a typical rich person would decide to purchase nowadays on the highest floor of course. We call these kinds of homes ‘Bujajip’ literally meaning rich person home.

Most apartments are in an open layout meaning the living room, dining room, and kitchen aren’t separated into different rooms. The latest homes are smarter then ever and have features like built-in appliances, ovens, dishwasher (possibly). Stylish apartments like these are anywhere from 4 to 7,000 dollars for monthly mortgages.

The rich of Korea can buy multiple houses and use it as an investment by renting it out so the most popular style would be 2-3 beds and 2 baths since most Koreans don’t want to pay huge maintenance bills for a bigger apartment.

If it isn’t apartments the rich are interested in land since land is scarce and expensive.

Where as the rest of middle class, lower middle class, or retired elderly live in these sort of homes.

There isn’t a stove because you need to bring your own gas stove.

The rooms are small and usually covered in a sort of laminated wood design flooring.

The bathrooms are generic and most Koreans use bath bowls instead of having a space consuming bath tub. Don’t be surprised to learn the laundry machine needs to be in your bathroom it’s very common in Korea.

I haven’t had my clothes not air-dried in 3 years don’t expect your home to have a dryer or the capabilities to install a dryer!

Then there are the slums of Seoul.

Slums are very visible throughout parts of Seoul especially affluent neighborhoods because the people who live there have no other choice. These are people who earn less then 200 dollars a month or even less and what it reflects is the entire Korean economic social standing.

‘Imperfect’, and the reality is hard to watch.

I point this out to you all because you shouldn’t take anything for granted.

Remembering a time in my life where my mom and I had no savings so we had to sleep on her office floor when everyone left. It was absolutely mind shattering to say the least having to hide our belongings in her trunk.

I felt sad and hopeless until we managed to find a cheap rental place to imagine what a difference a year makes it’s truly amazing.

I’ve grown to appreciate my past life in America and for those 20 years of my life I had enough to eat and a roof above my head. Most important is to give thanks and carry the will to overcome obstacles.