Many foreigners wonder why so many people live in commercial officetels if they are not primarily classified as residential properties.
The reason is that most officetels in Korea were originally developed and approved as commercial buildings. Even though they are legally classified as commercial-use properties, many of them are designed with residential features such as a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
As a result, it is very common for students, office workers, and even small families to live in commercial officetels. They are especially popular because of their convenient locations, modern facilities, and relatively affordable rental prices.
However, living in a commercial officetel does not automatically mean you can register your address there. If you need address registration for an Alien Registration Card (ARC), visa requirements, or other official purposes, always confirm this with real estate agent before signing the lease.