The Non-possession Life of a British University Student Living in a 2.2 Million Won Monthly Rent Officetel in Sinchon

The minimalist lifestyle of Lim George, a British international student residing in a high-end officetel in Sinchon, Seoul, paying 2.2 million won in monthly rent, has been revealed. A student in the Department of Media at Sogang University, he practices a life close to 'Non-possession' by minimizing his belongings.

Residential Environment and Costs of the Sinchon High-end Officetel

The place where Lim George resides is an officetel in Sinchon, Seoul, with a size of approximately 15 pyeong. He cited accessibility to his school as the main reason for choosing this home. It is very close, just a 1-minute walk from Sogang University, and features a high ceiling of 2.6m, providing a sense of openness. In particular, as someone with a large physical build—standing 194cm tall with a shoe size of 330mm—he stated that he prefers the comfort provided by the high ceiling. Regarding shoe size, he also mentioned the inconvenience of it being difficult to find in South Korea.

The housing cost is in the 2 million won range for monthly rent with a 50 million won deposit, and management fees are around 250,000 won. He contracted this house through support from his parents, and after graduating from school, he plans to move to the Bundang area, which is densely packed with English academies and has a quiet residential environment. Bundang is the area where the NAVER headquarters is located, and the pleasant environment and infrastructure he felt when he visited in the past became the background for his decision to move. He mentioned that while the Sinchon area where he currently resides has a high floating population due to the nature of a university district, the officetel maintains a quiet environment, resulting in high satisfaction.

'Non-possession' Style Minimalism Minimizing Belongings

There are almost no unnecessary items inside the house. Lim George explained, "Non-possession is a state of mind where you don't care whether clothes come or go," stating that his current collection of four-season clothing is all he owns. The kitchen also shows the essence of minimalism. Aside from the appliances provided as full options, the items he has personally equipped are extremely few. Two sets of plates and bowls that he has been using since he first came to South Korea five years ago are his main tableware, and he mainly uses a pot for cooking simple egg dishes or meals using chicken breast. In the kitchen, two knives received as gifts from a friend and spoons are placed.

For health management, he practices 'Meal-prep,' making a week's worth of meals in advance. The refrigerator contains eggs and chicken breast for protein intake, as well as Dongwon Tuna. Regarding furniture composition, he had been using a floor sofa until recently, but has been organizing his life around only essential items, such as replacing it with a regular sofa through Karrot recently. In the bedroom, only minimal electronic devices such as camera equipment, a laptop, and headphones are placed, maintaining a clean atmosphere like a hotel. In particular, he cited his cherished noise-canceling headphones as an item that increases his life satisfaction.

Lifestyle of an International Student in His 5th Year in South Korea

Lim George, who came from the United Kingdom, decided to study in South Korea after being inspired by a Korean friend's fluent Korean skills, and he has now entered his 5th year of living in South Korea. He expressed high satisfaction with South Korea's convenient facilities and fast Wi-Fi environment, expressing his love for the country. His hobbies include exercising (gym), reading, and studying Korean. In particular, he enjoys spending quiet time reading philosophical books related to meditation.

To maintain cleanliness in his daily life, he practices the habit of using a 'squeegee' to wipe off moisture after showering. This is his own life tip to reduce the hassle of cleaning while maintaining a clean state. Additionally, based on his interest in video production, he continues activities such as writing essays and capturing them in videos. Rather than simple possession, he is focusing on building a lifestyle that fits his values and balancing his life through a healthy diet and regular exercise.