How FOHO Helped a Chinese Exchange Student Secure Short-Term Housing in Seoul
1️⃣ Introduction: Why He Came to Korea
Our client is a Chinese student currently studying in Japan. He speaks English, Chinese, and Japanese fluently—but unfortunately, not Korean.
This summer, he joined Seoul National University as an exchange student for three months. Even though his stay was relatively short, he wanted a home where he could truly experience local culture, not just a temporary hotel.
“I knew it would only be three months, but I still wanted to feel like I was living in Seoul, not just passing through.”
2️⃣ Problems Faced When Searching for a Room
His housing search around Seoul National University quickly revealed three major obstacles:
- Short-Term Lease Scarcity
He only needed a 3-month lease, since his exchange program and visa were limited to that period. But in Korea, very few landlords accept such short contracts. Most agencies turned him away, insisting the only option was Airbnb or other expensive platforms.
- Late Timing
He began his search on August 8th, arrived in Seoul on August 11th, and wanted to move in by August 15th. That meant he had just 3–4 days to secure a place. Most agencies couldn’t move that quickly.
- Language Barriers
Popular Korean rental apps and websites were only in Korean. On top of that, Korea’s unique rental systems (deposit contracts, monthly payments, paperwork) were hard to navigate. Even with translation tools, he often missed important details.
“I had clear requirements—within 10 minutes walking from the subway—but the whole process felt impossible. I was stuck between short timing, limited options, and not understanding the system.”
3️⃣ How He Found FOHO & How We Helped
How He Found Us
While browsing seoul.craigslist.org, he noticed FOHO listings. At the bottom of each listing was a link to our website. He clicked through, submitted an inquiry, and that’s where everything changed.
What FOHO Did Differently
1. Provided Real Short-Term Solutions
Unlike other agencies, FOHO welcomed his 3-month request. Instead of dismissing it, we reached out directly to landlords to ask if they could accept short-term contracts. Because FOHO connects directly to Seoul’s local housing database, we offered him a much wider range of options than other so-called “foreigner-friendly” sites.
2. Gave Lightning-Fast Responses
He filled out our inquiry form at around 8:00 PM. To his surprise, he got a personal reply from our team (Evan) in just 20 minutes. From that point on, we stayed in close contact—even until 10 PM some nights, and even on Sundays. This speed and dedication gave him confidence.
3. Broke the Language Barrier
Our staff member was a native Korean who had also lived abroad for many years. His fluent English made communication effortless, while his Korean fluency built trust with landlords. He translated contract terms clearly, avoided misunderstandings, and ensured he knew exactly what he was signing.
4. Assisted with Paperwork Beyond Housing
FOHO didn’t stop at finding a room. We also helped him prepare documents needed for his ARC (Alien Registration Card) application—a critical step for any exchange student. This extra guidance saved him time and reduced stress.
“FOHO wasn’t just showing me apartments. They explained contracts in English, talked to landlords in Korean, and even helped with ARC documents. It felt like having a local friend guiding me through everything.”
4️⃣ Recommendation
Looking back, he shared why he would recommend FOHO to anyone in a similar situation:
- Short-term leases made possible
- Fast, responsive staff who really care
- Clear multi-language communication (English, Chinese, Japanese support)
- Full housing support—from finding listings to handling payments and contracts in Korean won
- Extra help with ARC and settling into Korea
“If you don’t speak Korean, have limited time, or need a short-term lease, FOHO is the best choice. They make the whole renting process smoother and more enjoyable than I could have imagined.”
FOHO: Making Renting in Korea Safer and Simpler
At FOHO, we understand the challenges foreigners face in Korea’s rental market. That’s why we go beyond listings—helping with landlord communication, safe payments, contracts, and even paperwork support.
