A stay just 20 seconds on foot from Gongdeok Station in Seoul
Short-term studio rental in Mapo
Words and photos by Kim Juyoung | Earth Village Mouse @joonimism
Hi there, I’m Kim Juyoung, a freelance journalist. I also publicly run a blog and YouTube channel where I consistently document my travels as a hobby,and share the stories along the way.
Whenever the seasons change, don’t you suddenly want to reset your living space too?
I recently shifted the center of my daily life from Eunpyeong-gu to Mapo-gu, and while settling in, I found myself slowly shaping a space in Seoul that felt both more efficient and more cozy.
As I did that, I naturally started thinking, “Someone else could really need a place like this too.” For example, someone coming up from another city to join a short-term training program or project at Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok would probably find it especially useful.
So this time, I decided to open up the Seoul hideaway where I actually live for guests who need a short stay, through platforms like 33m2 and Airbnb.
If you’re visiting for a business trip, hospital appointments, interviews, a gap between moves, a base before or after long-term travel, or you simply want to try living in central Seoul for a bit, I can confidently say this Mapo stay is a great fit.
1. Just 20 seconds from Gongdeok Station
It’s right here on the second floor of this building. 🙂
On Naver Map, if you search for “Class Klarblau,”
this is the place that comes up.
What I’m most proud of about my little home is the location. It’s only a 20-second walk from Exits 2 and 3 of Gongdeok Station, one of the best-connected stations in Seoul, so even first-time visitors should have no trouble finding it.
On the left is Gongdeok Methodist Church,
and across the street is Lotte Castle.
As you can see, Gongdeok Station gives you access to four major lines—the Seoul Subway Line 5, Line 6, the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, and the Airport Railroad Express (AREX)—which makes getting to Yeouido, Gwanghwamun, City Hall, Hongdae, Yongsan, Seoul Station, and Incheon International Airport incredibly easy.
That’s why many people looking for a Gongdeok stay are here for business trips or long-term projects, and for that kind of visit, this place is especially practical.
2. Studio one-room layout
The studio one-room I use as my own base is on the second floor of this two-story building. On the first floor, there’s a workshop used by an upcycling artist, but the entrances are completely separate, so your daily flow won’t overlap with theirs.
The blue door on the left leads up the stairs to the second-floor studio,
and the glass door on the right is the first-floor workshop.
Now let me show you my compact little hideaway.
It’s a nice place to quietly enjoy your own time, and you can really feel the small personality and atmosphere the space has.
My second-floor home isn’t a cookie-cutter hotel or serviced residence—it’s a real studio one-room where I actually live. That’s what makes it feel more comfortable, more lived-in, and better suited for a short-term stay with real everyday ease.
The total size is about 9 pyeong, or roughly 320 square feet. 🙂
Second-floor home | Studio room
Kitchen connected to the room
Lately I’ve been actively leaning into a minimalist lifestyle, so I’ve been gradually clearing out things I don’t really use, including extra decor and furniture. If you visit in person, you’ll probably think it feels even simpler and cleaner than in the photos.
3. How to use the space
The area outlined in red is my purchase/barter corner.
Since I’m a freelance journalist, I move around a lot. When I travel, I usually bring books with me and spend plenty of time traveling both within Korea and abroad.
So I put together my own little sharing box!
On this bookshelf, any items placed in the <red-marked purchase corner> are available if something catches your eye—you can either barter for them or buy them for 30% of the original retail price.Fun, right?
Of course, even if you don’t buy or trade anything, you’re still welcome to use the books here or any unopened board games while you’re in the home. Just please tidy up and return everything to its original place afterward.
Mi casa es tu casa!
Any alcohol, snacks, or other daily-use items left out in the space can also be purchased. Since guests staying here will have my personal number, feel free to message me if there’s anything you’d like to buy.
More than feeling like you’re just sleeping somewhere for a night or two, this place really feels like having your own tiny basecamp in Seoul.
And because this is an actual lived-in space, it also comes with all the basic infrastructure you’d want in a studio one-room.
You’ll have the essentials like a refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, Wi-Fi, sink, and induction cooktop, plus a microwave, rice cooker, water purifier, two desks, three chairs, a shoe cabinet, curtains, an air purifier, and even a newer vacuum and steam mop—so whether you’re staying briefly or for several days or more, it should feel easy and comfortable.
A newer vacuum and steam mop are ready to use too!
As you probably already know,
this isn’t a hotel—it’s a real studio where I actually live—so basic consumables like toilet paper, shampoo, or toothpaste may not always be fully stocked depending on timing.
There are also a few pillows available.
That said, if you’re staying in my space, you’re welcome to read the books and play the board games, and if there are reasonable everyday supplies left behind—even the shampoo, cleanser, or soap I use—you may use them freely.
You’re also welcome to use the towels placed here. 🙂
You may also use my bedding freely as long as you wash it before checkout, or pay a laundry fee instead.
Naturally, smoking indoors is absolutely not allowed, and I’m strict about that for the sake of all guests.
The standard capacity is two people, and there are two mattresses prepared. If you need space for additional guests, please ask in advance.
The hot water and heating system is controlled from a wall in part of the first-floor Klarblau workshop. Hot water stays on, and I adjust the heating seasonally myself. 🙂
4. What makes this studio special
One thing I intentionally upgraded this time was the window screens.
I replaced every window with fine mesh screens. They’re about three times denser than standard screens, so they do a much better job blocking not just mosquitoes but also tiny flies and gnats.
In warmer months, a lot of people want to keep the windows open, and if you’re looking for a lived-in Mapo stay, this ends up being one of those small details that really matters. It’s especially great for people who care more about everyday comfort than just having a place to crash for one night.
And then there’s the drinking water.
In a lot of one-room rentals, there’s a pretty high chance you won’t have a water purifier at all, which means you’d have to keep buying bottled water.
In my kitchen sink, the water that comes from the left side is filtered through a purifier, so it’s clean drinking water that’s good to drink. 🙂
And there’s also a Dr.Piel filtered shower head in the bathroom!
There should always be a filter installed in the shower. After traveling around Southeast Asia, I really learned how valuable a filtered shower head is, so in Korea too, I always make sure my place has one.
Oh, and of course, I also replaced the bathroom window screen with fine mesh. 🙂 After showering, please crack the window open and ventilate so the moisture can escape.
1. There’s a Lotte Premium Food Market right in front of the studio
There’s a Lotte Premium Food Market nearby too, which makes things incredibly convenient.
2. There’s a self-service laundromat in the basement of Lotte Castle
The washing machine in my studio is honestly pretty old. You can still use it, but if you’d rather go to a laundromat, there’s one in the basement shopping arcade of Lotte Castle directly across the street. 🙂
Take the escalator down and head toward the back, and you’ll find the self-service laundromat locker area. It’s very convenient these days. 🙂
3. There’s also a smart library inside Gongdeok Station.
4. The Gyeongui Line Forest Trail that stretches all the way past Hongdae starts right here at Gongdeok Station!
That’s also where the Mapo Circular Shuttle Bus begins.
It really is an amazing residential setup. 🙂
Oh, and here’s how to sort and dispose of trash as well.
The studio one-room where I stay shares the church parking lot with Gongdeok Methodist Church. If you go left from the church’s main entrance,
ta-da—you’ll find the recycling area.
It’s a space managed by the church,
so if anyone asks where you’re from while you’re sorting trash,
just say, “I’m a guest of Klarblau.” 🙂
And the thing everyone is most curious about: food waste.
This is where you throw away food waste.
It’s the spot with the food waste bin under the big tree in front of the church’s main entrance.
That food waste bin belongs to the church.
If you’re staying here, please try to keep food waste to a minimum,
but if you do end up with food waste,
as you probably know, you can buy
official Mapo-gu food waste bags at a nearby supermarket or convenience store.
Put your food waste together,
place it neatly in the food waste bag in the evening, and gently leave it next to the church’s food waste bin.
🙂
For reference, food waste can only be collected on weekdays | it is not collected on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
5. How to book this short-term rental
I especially recommend my place to anyone looking for a Seoul solo stay near Gongdeok in Mapo.
That’s because Gongdeok is one of the most balanced neighborhoods in Seoul. Transportation is easy, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, access to business districts is excellent, and unlike Hongdae or Hapjeong, it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly hectic, so it’s less tiring to stay here.
There’s even a dessert café in Gongdeok known for its kouign-amann, beloved by Michelin two-star chef Son Jong-won. People literally come from other cities just to eat it—Gongdeok is that good.
I can say with confidence that this neighborhood works beautifully for travelers, business visitors, and anyone who wants to try living in Seoul for a little while.
Please book through the 33m2 app.
So whether you’re looking for an Airbnb-style lived-in space with personality, or a practical short-term rental in the style of 33m2, I think you’ll be happy here.
Most of the stay process will be contactless.
Since I’m often out of Seoul, I’ll send you the door lock password after your booking is confirmed. The guest space is on the second floor.
Parking is also available for one car on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can park next to the Klarblau building. 🙂
If anyone from the church asks,
just say it’s a vehicle visiting “Klarblau.”
One pre-approved car can use the shared parking lot with Gongdeok Methodist Church and the Klarblau building free of charge, but on Wednesdays and Sundays, church vehicles take priority, so parking may be difficult on those days.
So if you’ll need parking, please ask in advance and I’ll guide you as best I can. That said, Gongdeok Station is truly only about 20 seconds away on foot, so you probably won’t need a car.
Sometimes you need a place to stay in Seoul for a few days, but hotels feel too expensive—and at the same time, you don’t want to give up on location or everyday convenience.
In moments like that, my place could be a great Seoul solo stay alternative. If you’re looking for a Gongdeok stay, an atmospheric Airbnb-style place, or a practical short-term rental through 33m2, I’d love to recommend my little Seoul hideaway.
If you have any questions, please reach out on KakaoTalk!
<20 seconds from Gongdeok Station, Seoul | Studio one-room>
<Usan-dong, Wonju, Gangwon-do | Romantic rooftop room>
Written by
travel blogger/YouTuber Earth Village Mouse, who reads everywhere she goes
Thank you.
I’ll keep uploading my travel videos on YouTube, so until next time, happy travels everyone.
#seoul solo stay #seoul short-term rental #short-term rental #seoul monthly stay #seoul studio rental #seoul officetel short-term rental #33m2 #airbnb #mapo stay #gongdeok stay #gongdeok station stay #gongdeok station one-room #seoul short-term rental #seoul short stay #mapo short-term rental #gongdeok short-term rental #seoul airbnb #seoul accommodation recommendation #mapo airbnb #gongdeok airbnb #20 seconds from gongdeok station #seoul one-room rental #studio one-room #seoul business trip stay #living in seoul for a month #seoul temporary stay #gongdeok station lodging #mapo one-room #atmospheric seoul stay #atmospheric gongdeok stay #well-connected seoul stay #airport railroad stay #gyeongui-jungang line stay #mapo stay recommendation #seoul travel stay #lived-in seoul stay