The Story Behind
Seoul Nooks
- A Founder's Journey
Keeping the Explorer's Spirit
After years of being a nomad, returning to Seoul in 2018 brought an unexpected fear - not of settling down exactly, but of settling for conventional thinking. During my travels, I had experienced something profound through Couchsurfing - the beautiful way people would open their homes and hearts to complete strangers. What touched me most wasn't the free accommodation, but seeing how people with little could give so much, how genuine connections could form regardless of our circumstances. This taught me that wealth isn't measured in money, but in our capacity to give and connect. I began hosting whenever possible, discovering how enriching it was to pay this kindness forward.
These experiences shaped my vision of home. I didn't want to become someone who would say "That's just how things are." I wanted to keep questioning, keep discovering, keep growing.
The solution came naturally: hosting international travelers. Their fresh perspectives helped me see my own culture through new eyes, challenging my assumptions about the city I thought I knew. But I wanted to do this sustainably, not just as occasional couchsurfing. This led to sharing a house in Mangwon-dong with two friends who shared this vision, creating a space where local and global perspectives could meet.
Birth of Seoul Nooks
When my original housemates decided this lifestyle wasn't for them, I faced a choice. Instead of giving up, I moved to Huam-dong in September 2019, joined by two friends who resonated with this vision. What began as a simple shared house has now grown into three homes, supported by countless people who believed in what we were creating.
This was never meant to be my career - it was just my preferred way of living, a side project while I maintained my full-time job. But life had other plans.
Evolution & Challenges
The journey hasn't always been smooth. Running a community means constant learning, adjusting, and sometimes questioning everything. There were years when closing seemed like the only option. Making this my full-time commitment wasn't about financial gain (quite the opposite!) - it was about nurturing something I deeply believed in.
Yet every time I considered closing, someone would appear - a community member whose presence reminded me why we started this journey. These moments of genuine connection kept us going.
A Transformative Journey
A pivotal moment came through discovering AS-ONE Suzuka community. Their approach helped me see beyond my conditioned thoughts about community, responsibility, and purpose. At the time, I was feeling lost about my path. I dreamed of joining an innovative startup with inspiring teammates, considered moving abroad, or pursuing further studies. Seoul Nooks seemed like an obstacle to a "proper" career path - both I and people who cared about me saw it as something holding me back from better opportunities, from finding a life partner, from "moving forward" in life.
But through their guidance, I reconnected with something fundamental - my core energy of love. I remembered that my deepest life goal had always been to love and be loved well. This realization helped me see Seoul Nooks not as an obstacle, but as an authentic expression of this purpose. I could embrace this path with renewed clarity, understanding that building community was my way of living this truth.
More Than a Service
Let me be clear: Seoul Nooks isn't a product to be consumed. It's a home where I live alongside our community members, a temple of growth (수련의 장소) where kindred spirits (동지) come together to practice the art of living in harmony. The space you see today is built on countless stories, shared experiences, and the love of many who came before you.
Today's Vision
We're nurturing something precious here - a vision of creating better global citizens and meaningful communities that can spark positive change in our world. If you're looking for just a comfortable place to stay, there are many excellent options in Seoul. But if you're seeking a place to grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful - if you want to be a fellow traveler on this path of personal and collective growth - then perhaps Seoul Nooks is calling you home.
A Journey of Growth
Looking back, I realize how much this community has shaped me. Through Seoul Nooks, I've become a better human, learning and growing in ways I never expected. I've loved and felt loved, found ways to be a better version of myself. This reciprocal flow of growth and love is what has carried me through all these years. It's why, despite the challenges, I'm still here, still believing in the power of community.