Inside Korean apartments.

 

Growing Up in an Apartment

Where I grew up, space was normal. Open skies, open fields, open beaches. Childhood meant running outside without thinking about walls.

In Korea, many children grow up in apartments.

At first, I thought it might feel small. But I’ve come to see something different. Korean apartments — even tiny ones — are incredibly well designed. Every corner has a purpose. Storage is smart. The furniture fits perfectly. Nothing is wasted.

And then there’s the heated floor.

The first time I experienced ondol heating, I understood why winter here feels manageable. Kids sit on the warm floor to do homework. Families gather on it. You don’t just walk on the floor — you live on it. It becomes part of daily comfort.

Growing up in an apartment in Korea doesn’t mean a lack of warmth. In many ways, it means growing up in a carefully built, efficient, and cozy space.

Different from wide island landscapes.

But warm in its own way.

Thanks for reading Seoulful Islander!