Short-Term Living in Korea: A Foreign Chef's 33m2 Story

Q. Could you briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Raven van Boekel. I'm a 30-year-old chef from the Netherlands. I've been living in Berlin for the last five years, and I recently moved to Korea to work more with Korean cuisine and to learn more about Korean food and culture.

Q. What made you want to become a chef, and what led you to Korean cuisine specifically?

I made the decision to become a chef ten years ago, when I was finishing my design studies. I always noticed that whenever my school day ended, I would go straight into the kitchen — my passion was simply bigger than my fear.

As a chef, I worked across many different cuisines — European, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, and Indonesian food. But a few years ago, I became particularly interested in Korean food. I watched a documentary about the Korean monk and chef Jeong Kwan, and I became really interested in the way Korean food preserves ingredients and how much tradition and knowledge is built into that. Even with relatively simple or humble ingredients, Korean cuisine can be incredibly complex.

I also felt that there was such a misinterpretation of Korean food in Europe. I wanted to understand what was really at the core of Korean food, beyond the way it was often presented outside of Korea.

Q. What brought you to Korea, and why did you need short-term housing?

I came to Korea on a Working Holiday visa to work, but also to explore the country and its different food regions. In the beginning, I thought it would be easier to start with short-term housing, since the rental system in Korea is very different from what I was used to. I wanted to have a nice and soft landing when I came to Korea.

Q. Did you consider other options before choosing 33m2?

Yes. One of the only options I actually knew about was Airbnb, but it was definitely very expensive. I am moving here on a somewhat smaller budget, so that was not really an option for me.

I asked a question on my Instagram — I have a big Korean community following me — asking for tips about housing. A lot of Korean people recommended 33m2. The fact that I could lease week by week, with no large deposit, was especially important to me.  I also heard from a lot of Korean people who use it when they need a temporary home — when their own home is being renovated, or when they have a short period between apartments. That made me feel like it was a well-known and practical option for temporary housing in Korea.

Q. What made a week-based lease feel like the right fit?

I actually moved here without having any set plans yet. I am someone who really likes to go with the flow and feel what is right in the moment. So having a week-based lease felt very flexible, and that was really important for me.

Q. As a foreigner, was there anything that worried you before signing? And how did the deposit system compare to what you were used to?

When signing this contract, I was actually not very worried. The website is very clear about what they expect from you, and because there was only a small deposit, it felt quite familiar to me.

I was quite surprised when I first heard about the large deposits common in Korean real estate — but I had already heard about them before I moved, so I was able to prepare myself. In bigger cities in Europe, it is less common to have that much savings available for a rental deposit. So it can be quite a difficult system to get into as a foreigner, especially on a Working Holiday visa where you cannot work full-time. I was really happy to find a system with a much smaller deposit — it makes short-term housing much more accessible.

Q. Was there a moment where you felt you could trust 33m2? And how does this compare to renting back home?

I always feel like I can trust something more when I hear many opinions from other people. So many people had used 33m2 before and had good experiences. Also, the pricing is shown very transparently when you start the lease — I felt like I could trust it quite quickly.

Compared to the Netherlands or Germany, the process is actually quite similar — but back home, a lot is still done face-to-face. You meet the owner, go for a viewing, and there are often many other people competing for the same apartment. As an introvert, I find this app-based system a very easy and convenient way to arrange short-term housing.

Q. What was the most convenient part of the process, and was there any language barrier?

Everything goes through the app, so it is super convenient and really quick. I had the contract within three days. Communication through the chat was also very easy, and the whole process felt very straightforward and safe. It felt like I had a safe space to start my journey in Korea.

With the app and the landlord, there was no language barrier at all — the app has an automatic translation function. I also always try to write my messages in both English and Korean, just to avoid any confusion. In daily life, I am still a beginner in Korean, but I feel like what you need most when you move here is a bit of confidence and not being afraid to try. That is something I am working on.

Q. Has living in Korea influenced your research into Korean cuisine?

Definitely, even after just one week. I have been walking through the small market in front of my house every day, just to see what they have and how it changes depending on the day. Being able to find the produce I need without having to search for a long time makes me so happy — it feels very much like a luxury to have everything I need around me.

And I can already see that I still have so, so much to learn. There are so many different approaches to food, and I am really excited to explore more.

Q. How important was the kitchen setup when choosing your room?

The kitchen setup was really important, and it was a big reason why I chose this apartment. I think the kitchen was just a little less equipped than I expected — I think people maybe cook a little less at home in Seoul. I have been trying to get some new bowls and ceramics, and when I am looking for my next apartment, I hope to find a kitchen where I can make the space feel a little more like my own.

Q. What is the moment you remember most from your time in Korea so far?

One thing that is probably the most important to me is seeing friends I have not seen for a long time, and meeting people who share my passion for food. And the second thing is being in nature and in the mountains again. When I was in Korea two years ago, I really fell in love with hiking, so I have been doing that almost every day. Since I also have a view of the mountain from my room, I can just wake up, put on my shoes, and go straight out for a walk.

Q. Have you recommended 33m2 to others?

Yes — a lot of people ask me what platform I ended up using, and I always recommend 33m2. When people saw pictures of my apartment, they were all really interested. Because I was able to settle in here so easily and comfortably, I want to recommend it to many people.I hope they can also have a calm beginning to their time in Korea.

Q. What is one practical tip you would give to a foreigner signing their first lease through 33m2?

I would consider renting for at least eight weeks, or even the maximum of twelve weeks, since you get a nice discount. I also think it is nice to make a little home for yourself from the beginning. I actually wish I had rented this apartment for a little bit longer than I did.

Q. Would you choose 33m2 again?

Yes, definitely. I am actually looking at 33m2 again now. I had such a good experience that I would be very happy to use the service again.