Photographer Captures How South Korean Poor People Live In ‘Goshitels’

Idols, k-pops, k-dramas and food. South Korea has turned into a popular tourist spot as of lately with more people getting interested to learn about their culture. It’s also home of the biggest Android smartphone company, Samsung.

South Korean photographer Sim Kyu Dong spent about 5 years living in ‘Goshitels’ or ‘Goshiwon’. These are a type of rented place with very narrow space, shared kitchen and bathroom. But people choose to live here because life in Seoul can be very hard and expensive.

Kyu Dong came from Gangneung in Gangwon Province and had to spend 5 years living in one. They are affordable without the need of a deposit or paying for maintenance fee. Initially, these places were constructed for students temporarily staying while taking state bar exams or civil service examination.

But to those who have no other places to go, this cramped space turned into a permanent dwelling place. During Kyu Dong’s stay, he documented the lives of others who live in similar situations, sharing depressing and eye-opening images.

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