Woman Studying Abroad in South Korea Finds an Amazing Deal on an Apartment. But You Won't Believe the Catch (Exclusive)
When Lydia R., who goes by @lydyagami on TikTok, decided to attend Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, one of the first things on her to-do list was finding an apartment
The 27-year-old hoped to find something both affordable and close to campus
Then, one day, a friend reached out with a lead. Lydia looked up the apartment and was instantly drawn to how practical it seemed
The only downside? The apartment was just 7 square meters, or around 75 square feet
When Lydia R., who goes by @lydyagami on TikTok, decided to attend Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea, she knew one of the first things on her to-do list would be finding an apartment. So, the 27-year-old began looking for a place to live, hoping to find something both affordable and close to campus.
Then, one day, a friend from Korea reached out with a lead. Lydia looked up the apartment and was instantly drawn to how practical it seemed. It also appeared to be a safe, clean option. Plus, the facility was only for women and offered flexible leasing, meaning she could move out whenever she wanted. On top of that, there was no deposit required — something she says is very common in Korea.
The downside? The apartment was just 7 square meters, or around 75 square feet.
"At first, I was concerned, very concerned, because I love to shop and I own a lot of stuff," the student tells PEOPLE exclusively. "The most shocking part was that there's no window to the outside. But I reminded myself that it's temporary, and life in Seoul mostly happens outside the apartment anyway. Plus, it felt like a good opportunity to declutter and really simplify my life."
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Despite the limited space, Lydia signed the lease. She's been living in the apartment for about two months now and pays about 300 EUR a month, equivalent to $340. She says it's very budget-friendly for central Seoul, especially considering she didn't have to pay a deposit. The building has a shared kitchen, though she keeps her own food in her apartment. There is laundry in the building, as well.
Going into it, Lydia knew she wanted the space to feel like her, no matter how small it was. Cozy and cute vibes were non-negotiable. She looked for practical, multipurpose storage from IKEA and Daiso and stuck to a pink, white and purple colorway. The space is simple but filled with trinkets and practical little gadgets that make her happy.
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"It would surprise people how quickly you adjust," she says. "I think people imagine it's miserable, but once you settle in, it's honestly kind of comforting. You become really intentional about what you keep around you. Vertical storage is everything. I use hooks, stackable bins and foldable furniture. Also, decluttering often helps reset the space mentally and physically."
"Soft lighting, wall hooks, and under-bed storage are lifesavers," she adds. "But also, cute bedding! My bed takes up most of the room, so I treat it as a decoration piece. It sets the tone for the whole space. My routines changed in a way where I always immediately clean up after myself. I hate letting my small space get messy. I don't even keep a trash can in my room — I go out of my way to throw away my trash outside daily."
"I clean more often, shop less and think twice about what I buy," she continues. "It's made me appreciate minimalism in a way I didn't before, and I'm way more mindful about my spending and surroundings. It also made me realize once more how privileged I am, and that I'm truly grateful for everything I'm able to afford in life."
When Lydia first moved into the apartment, her mom flew from Europe to Seoul to help her settle in. Growing up in a big three-story house with a garden, Lydia recalls how her mom cried when she saw the space.
"It was such a contrast to what we're used to in Europe," she says. "My friends were also shocked at first, but super curious. Once they saw how I made the space my own, they were actually really impressed and even inspired. It became less about the size and more about the vibe."
To show her family and friends that her apartment isn't as bad as they thought, Lydia decided to post updates about it on TikTok. She never expected the videos to blow up, but one morning, she remembers waking up to a video that had reached around 500,000 views. She couldn't even grasp the number.
Now, her most-viewed video has more than 13 million views. To this day, she still can't quite believe it.
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"It's a very surreal experience," she says. "Collectively, the videos got over 20 million views, so … there were a lot of opinions. Some were really sweet, others were, well, not so nice. And that's okay — it's the Internet. But what made me sad wasn't the criticism toward me, it was the lack of empathy for the many Korean students living this exact reality. It really made me wish we could all be a little kinder and more understanding toward each other. Still, the kind comments, the people cheering me on — they made me feel incredibly grateful and, honestly, seen."
"No window is honestly my only real complaint," she adds. "I'm someone who sleeps with the window open, no matter the season. Sometimes I open my door just to feel a breeze. It can feel a little isolating at times, but on the flip side, it's helped me slow down. It's become a space where I reflect, reset, and just practice gratitude for the opportunity to live here and do what I love."
While the apartment is a temporary situation, Lydia says she'd love to move into a slightly bigger space with natural light in the future. But she'll never forget this chapter.
"If you have a dream and the privilege to chase it: do it!! I want people to see that you can take risks, move abroad, live in a micro-apartment, and still be building a beautiful, meaningful life. It might not look like a Pinterest board, but it's still just as valuable and worth it."
"As someone from a working-class, immigrant background, even being able to study and live abroad like this is something I never take for granted. I want to keep inspiring people to chase their dreams and help them in any way I can."
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