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A video from a U.S. YouTuber boasting 6.55 million followers, who explored a Korean goshiwon (study room), has gained attention.

YouTuber Drew Binsky released a video called ‘Inside Korea’s Smallest Apartments’ on his channel on the 1st. The video has received 1.91 million views. Binsky transitioned into a travel YouTuber after previously being a vlogger on Facebook and Snapchat. He successfully visited 197 countries around the world in 2021.

Binsky remarked, “Seoul is among the biggest, most stylish, and most active cities in the world,” and continued, “Did you know that hundreds of thousands of people reside in tiny apartments just large enough for a small bed?” He outlined the goal of the filming, stating, “I hope you’ll accompany me on this journey.”

The movie was filmed in goshiwons located in Eunpyeong-gu, Dongjak-gu, and Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Binsky described goshiwons as the most budget-friendly housing choice in Seoul and toured multiple sites one after another.

After visiting the room of Sang-woo, a young person living in Eunpyeong-gu, Binsky commented, “It’s really tiny.” He extended his arms to gauge the width of the entrance passage, which was roughly 60 centimeters. He continued, “If you’re as petite as I am, you can easily lie down on the bed,” and noted, “Life in Korea is experienced in these incredibly tight spaces.”

Sang-woo’s room had a bathroom, yet yellow stains were still visible on the floor. When Binsky asked, “Is that urine?” Sang-woo responded, “No matter how much I flush, the drain is blocked and the water remains still,” explaining the problem.

The room lacked any windows. When Binsky voiced worries about potential fire risks, Sang-woo responded, “It’s significantly less expensive than other rooms due to the absence of a window,” and noted that he paid $250 (around 360,000 Korean won) each month. He also stated that he was content with the availability of air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and an unlimited supply of rice, ramen, and kimchi.

Tae-sung’s goshiwon in Dongjak-gu was even more cramped than Sang-woo’s room, yet it came with a monthly rent of $285 (about 420,000 Korean won), making it pricier. Binsky remarked, “I’ve only been here for five minutes, and I already feel uneasy and trapped,” and continued, “I can’t believe that 150,000 people in Seoul live in goshiwons or similarly tight spaces.”

The final goshiwon that Binsky visited in Dongdaemun-gu charged $200 (about 290,000 Korean won) per month for a room without a window. Binsky stated, “It’s suffocating. It feels like a prison,” and noted, “Some might refer to this as a closet, but in Korea, this is considered a whole house.”

Binsky also shared his previous experience of residing in South Korea. He stated, “Between 2013 and 2015, prior to starting my YouTube career, I taught English in Korea,” and continued, “I stayed in a single-room apartment for two years, where the sink and shower were controlled by one lever, causing my clothes to get wet whenever I used the water.”

The video also highlighted that goshiwons initially served as budget-friendly housing for individuals studying for civil service examinations, but have since evolved into living spaces for those looking for inexpensive monthly rent. It was also stated that the residents’ age group is not restricted to people in their 20s, but also encompasses individuals in their mid-40s and 50s.

Certainly, feedback on the video featured statements like, “Goshiwons were not initially intended for extended stays” and “They were once temporary places for students studying for exams, but now they appear to have turned into long-term homes for the poor or budget hotels for travelers with very limited funds.” Nevertheless, some perspectives clarified that goshiwons are “not official housing” when referring to them as “APT.”