What Is an Officetel? Korea's Hybrid Home, Explained

What is an officetel?

An officetel is a multi-purpose unit in a managed high-rise that can legally be used as a home, a workspace, or both. Units are small and efficient — most are studios or one-bedrooms — and the building typically provides an elevator, 24-hour security, parking, package handling, and on-site management. Officetels rose to prominence in Korea precisely because they pack a low-maintenance, transit-connected home into the densest parts of the city.

Where the name comes from

"Officetel" = office + hotel. The hybrid name reflects the dual zoning: the same unit can serve as a registered business address or as a residence. How the unit is registered (residential vs. business use) affects how it is taxed, so it is worth confirming the registration with your realtor before you buy.

What an officetel is like inside

• Size: usually 16–60㎡ (roughly 5–18 pyeong) — efficient studios and one-bedrooms.
• Condition: commonly furnished and move-in ready — bed, desk, kitchenette, washer, air-conditioning.
• Location: clustered around subway stations, business districts and universities.
• Building services: security, elevators, parking and management are standard, which is why officetels carry a higher 관리비 (maintenance fee) than many apartments.

Officetel vs apartment

Apartments (아파트) are larger family homes in dedicated complexes, with more space, schools and parks nearby — better for families. Officetels are smaller, more central and cheaper to enter — better for singles, couples, students and anyone who wants a low-maintenance home near work or campus. See apartments in Seoul and officetels side by side.

Officetel vs studio (one-room)

A Korean "studio" or one-room (원룸) is simply a single open living space and can sit in many building types. An officetel is a building class, not a layout — most officetel units happen to be studio-style, but they come with the full managed-building package (security, elevator, parking, business-registration option) that a plain one-room in a smaller 빌라 may not.

Pros and cons

Pros: central, transit-adjacent, furnished, secure, easy paperwork for foreigners, and available to buy or rent. Cons: smaller floor area, higher 관리비, and less storage/outdoor space than an apartment.

Buying or renting an officetel

Foreigners can buy an officetel outright (매매) or rent it on monthly terms (월세 — a deposit plus monthly rent) or via jeonse (전세 — a large, fully-refundable lump-sum deposit with no monthly rent). There is no residency requirement to buy. For how the lease types compare, see Jeonse vs Wolse vs Buying; for current prices, see the Seoul home prices guide.

How Seoul Homes helps

Browse officetels for sale and rent in Seoul — every listing is handled by a verified, English-speaking realtor who can explain the 관리비, the registration type, and the all-in cost before you decide.