Korea’s cityscape is a fascinating blend of the ultra-modern and the deeply traditional. As you walk through Seoul, you might pass by towering apartment complexes in one block, and just a few streets over, discover quiet alleys lined with beautiful Hanok—Korea’s traditional houses. These two housing styles—apartment and hanok—represent the evolution of Korean living, shaped by urban growth, history, and lifestyle preferences.
1. Apartments: Practical Living in a Fast-Moving World
Over the past few decades, Korea has seen rapid urbanization. With more people moving into cities, especially Seoul and Busan, housing needed to adapt. This is where apartments became the norm.
Modern Korean apartments are usually found in high-rise complexes with 10 to 30 floors, often built in clusters called apartment towns. These are preferred for several reasons:
- Convenience: Close to subway stations, schools, supermarkets, and parks.
- Security: Keypad entry, CCTV, and controlled access are standard.
- Efficiency: Space-saving designs with built-in furniture and underfloor heating (온돌, ondol).
- Community Amenities: Some complexes offer gyms, libraries, and playgrounds.
In Korean society, apartment brands (e.g., Lotte Castle, Raemian, Prugio) and locations can even reflect a family's social status, especially in competitive areas like Gangnam.
2. Hanok: Harmony with Nature and Korean Tradition
In contrast to concrete apartments, a Hanok offers a completely different experience. Built with natural materials like wood, stone, and clay, Hanoks are designed to be in harmony with their surroundings.
Key features include:
- Ondol heating: A traditional floor heating system still loved today.
- Cheoma (처마): Overhanging eaves that provide shade in summer and warmth in winter.
- Madang (마당): An open courtyard at the center of the home.
- Directional design: Hanoks are carefully built to align with sunlight and airflow.
Hanoks reflect Confucian values of simplicity, balance, and family-centered living. However, because they require constant maintenance and are less insulated, many Koreans have moved away from Hanoks in favor of modern housing.
3. New Trend: Hanok as Cultural Experience
While few people live in Hanoks today, their value is being rediscovered—not just as homes, but as cultural experiences.
Many Hanok villages, like Bukchon in Seoul or Jeonju Hanok Village, preserve these homes as guesthouses, cafes, and workshops for locals and tourists alike.
There’s also a movement to build modern Hanoks—structures that maintain traditional aesthetics but integrate modern conveniences like insulation, air conditioning, and smart home systems. These hybrid spaces offer the best of both worlds.
Final Thoughts
Apartments and Hanoks are more than just places to live—they represent Korea’s dual identity: a fast-paced, modern society rooted in centuries-old traditions.
- If you want to experience efficient, modern living, an apartment shows you how most Koreans live today.
- If you're curious about Korean heritage and lifestyle, spending a night in a Hanok offers a warm, peaceful glimpse into the past.
Whether you prefer the skyline view of a 20th-floor apartment or the quiet charm of a wooden courtyard, both housing styles tell a unique story about Korean culture.
Have you stayed in a Hanok before? Or tried living in a Korean apartment?
Leave a comment and share your experience!