A duplex (다층) apartment in Seoul spans a full second floor within the unit — distinct from the "duplex house" some English speakers picture, and larger than a loft (복층), which only has a partial mezzanine level. Duplexes give you a genuine two-storey layout inside a single apartment or officetel unit.
In the Korean market, "duplex" (다층) describes the internal layout of a single unit that spans two full floors connected by an internal staircase — not two separate homes sharing a wall, which is what "duplex" often means in US real estate. A duplex unit typically puts living/kitchen space on the lower floor and bedrooms on the upper floor, giving more separation between living and sleeping areas than a standard flat layout.
Both duplex and loft units use vertical space, but the difference in scale matters: a loft (복층) has a partial mezzanine — usually just enough for a sleeping platform or storage above the main room — while a duplex (다층) has a full second floor with its own usable rooms. If you want a proper two-storey feel rather than a lofted studio, a duplex is the better fit. See our loft apartments page if a smaller mezzanine unit suits your budget better.
Duplex units suit people who want more separation between living and sleeping space than a standard one-floor apartment offers, without moving up to a full house. They're common in newer-build officetels and mixed-use buildings, and can work well for a couple or small family that wants a defined upstairs/downstairs split.
See current duplex listings, or compare with loft apartments if you want a smaller mezzanine unit instead.
A duplex (다층) is a single unit that spans two full floors connected by an internal staircase, typically with living space downstairs and bedrooms upstairs. It's different from a US-style duplex house, which is two separate homes sharing a wall.
A loft (복층) has a partial mezzanine — usually just enough for a sleeping platform or storage — while a duplex (다층) has a full second floor with its own rooms. Duplexes are larger and feel like a proper two-storey home.
Duplex units suit people who want more separation between living and sleeping space than a standard one-floor apartment, without the cost or commitment of a full house — often a good fit for a couple or small family.
