Hello! This is KOWORK, a job platform for foreigners in Korea.
In our previous blog post, we covered how to find a home in Korea as a foreigner and broke down every detail of the Korean rental system. If you haven't read it yet, you can check it out through this link.
That post didn't cover short-term stays, though. This time, we don't mean a week or two (a hotel or hostel will do just fine for that). We mean the awkward middle ground: longer than a month, shorter than three. That range is where things get tricky.
Most goshiwons won't even accept short-term residents. And if you're coming to Korea for an internship, summer program, or fellowship, finding housing for that window can be a genuinely brutal experience. Some places will take you on as a short-term renter but they'll still expect a full deposit, anywhere from 2 million to 5 million won.
We've met countless young professionals stuck in this exact dilemma, unwilling to hand over a full deposit, especially with deposit scams on the rise. One rule to remember: never pay any part of a deposit before signing the contract. Contract first, always.
To help with this, KOWORK teamed up with Mangrove to offer something we think a lot of you have been waiting for: short-term co-living housing with zero deposit.
So, What Is Mangrove?
MGRV is a real-estate company that builds co-living spaces around Korea. Their whole philosophy is less "here's a room" and more "here's a community" think run clubs, yoga nights, book talks, all organized by and for the people living there. It's less like renting an apartment and more like moving into a building that already has friends in it.
What Do You Actually Get?
Let's talk specifics. Rooms come fully furnished when you move in, so no IKEA runs required, everything's new. The rooms themselves are kept fairly simple and functional; Mangrove puts its energy into the shared spaces instead, which is where the building really shines.
Mangrove has six buildings across Korea, including one in Jeju. Short-term stays, however, are currently only available at the Sinseol and Dongdaemun branches.
Mangrove Sinseol
Mangrove Sinseol is a 20-story building with amenities packed into the ground floor and a shared lounge up top — the kind of spot where you can grab your coffee and actually enjoy the view while you drink it.
Getting around: 20 minutes from City Hall and Jongno, a 1-minute walk from Sinseol-dong Station (Lines 1 and 2), and close to six universities, including Korea University and Sungshin Women's University. Basically, wherever you need to be, you're not far.
Your room: Single rooms, each with its own bathroom. You'll find a desk, chair, bed, closet, storage cabinet, couch, and table waiting for you, no need to bring your own furniture.
What's downstairs (and upstairs): a rooftop, library, store, kitchen, 24-hour workspace, yoga room, fitness room, cinema room, creator's room, and laundry room. Honestly, you could go a few days without leaving the building and still not get bored.
Mangrove Dongdaemun
Mangrove Dongdaemun sits right in the middle of Dongdaemun — a neighborhood packed with culture and some of the best transit access in the city.
Getting around: City Hall, Jongno, and Myeongdong are all within 20 minutes, it's a 3-minute walk from Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, and 5), and the DDP is basically next door.
Your room: These are shared doubles, but don't picture a cramped dorm. You'll still have your own desk, your own nightstand, and a curtain to give you some privacy and block out the light. So even if your roommate's a night owl and you're not, you can still keep your own rhythm.
What's downstairs (and upstairs): a rooftop, library, store, kitchen, 24-hour workspace, yoga room, fitness room, cinema room, and laundry room.
If you're stuck in that awkward short-term window and don't want to hand over a full deposit, both branches could be worth a look. Short-term contracts, no deposit, and a building full of people to meet along the way.
For pricing and availability, click here.
Do I need to pay a deposit for Mangrove short-term stays?
No. Mangrove's short-term co-living contracts through KOWORK come with zero deposit.
Which Mangrove locations offer short-term stays?
Currently only two of Mangrove's six buildings: Sinseol and Dongdaemun.
What counts as "short-term" here?
Longer than a month but shorter than three months, the awkward window that's too long for a hotel/hostel but too short for standard Korean rental contracts.
What's the difference between Sinseol and Dongdaemun rooms?
Sinseol offers single rooms with a private bathroom. Dongdaemun offers shared doubles, each with your own desk, nightstand, and a curtain for privacy.
Do I need to bring my own furniture?
No. Rooms come fully furnished — desk, chair, bed, closet, storage cabinet, couch, and table (Sinseol); similar setup at Dongdaemun.
What amenities are included?
Both buildings have a rooftop, library, store, kitchen, 24-hour workspace, yoga room, fitness room, cinema room, and laundry room. Sinseol also has a creator's room.
How's the location/transit access?
- Sinseol: 1 minute from Sinseol-dong Station (Lines 1, 2); 20 minutes from City Hall/Jongno; near six universities.
- Dongdaemun: 3 minutes from Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5); 20 minutes from City Hall, Jongno, and Myeongdong; next to DDP.
Is this safe from deposit scams?
Since there's no deposit required, that risk is removed. As a general rule, though: never pay any part of a deposit before signing a contract.
Who is this good for?
Interns, summer program participants, fellows, or anyone in Korea for a short program who doesn't want to commit to a large deposit or long-term lease.
How do I book?
Reach out through KOWORK, which partners with Mangrove to offer these short-term, no-deposit stays.
KOWORK is more than just a job platform—it’s your guide to living in Korea. Visit our website to read our latest blogs, ask questions in the community tab, and get first-hand advice from experienced expats! Have questions? Reach out to KOWORK today.
