Looking for short-term rentals in South Korea? Maybe you want to ski for the season, spend a month at your favorite beach, or need a place to stay between work contracts. Consider renting a dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) (these terms literally translate to monthly rental). You can rent a hotel, pension, or apartment for a short time with a less intense deposit than a regular apartment.
About dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방)
Dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) exist as a popular type of monthly, short-term rentals in South Korea. This accommodation type offers flexible and often affordable living arrangements for short-term stays. However, they often aren’t included in English language lists of short-term stay accommodation options.
Such rentals are attractive to people who need temporary housing without the long-term commitment of traditional leases, which often have deposits of over 5 million KRW. This includes people taking long holidays, working in another city, and students. Here’s an overview of how wolbang rentals work and what you can expect.

What are Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방)?
As we mentioned, a dalbang / wolbang is a short-term rental, often for a month or more, without the formalities and long-term commitment of a regular apartment lease. These rentals are popular among students, business travelers, and anyone needing temporary accommodation. Wolbongs are different from Goshiwon because wolbongs include Goshiwons but also include standard hotel rooms, pensions, officetels, and fully furnished multi-room apartments.
Key Features of Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방) Rentals
Such short-term rentals in South Korea often include the following:
- Flexible Lease Terms: Typically, wolbang rentals are offered on a month-to-month basis, allowing tenants to rent for as little as one month at a time. This flexibility is ideal for those who are in transition or uncertain about their length of stay.
- Furnished and Ready to Move In: Most wolbangs come fully furnished, including essentials like a bed, desk, wardrobe, and sometimes kitchen facilities. This makes them convenient for people who do not want to purchase or transport furniture.
- Utilities Included: Often, utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are included in the rental price. This makes it easier to budget, as tenants do not need to worry about additional bills.
- Variety of Locations: Wolbangs can be found throughout South Korea, from bustling urban centers like Seoul and Busan to more rural areas, allowing renters to choose a location that suits their lifestyle and needs.
- Amenities and Facilities: Some wolbangs offer additional amenities such as cleaning services, laundry facilities, and security. The level of amenities can vary significantly, so it’s important to check what’s included before renting.
How to Find Dalbangs (달방) / Wolbang (월방) Rentals
We have found that dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) are often advertised locally. This means they may be harder to find online and they are rarely advertised in English or on English language sites. Here are some ways to source wolbangs.
Online Platforms
Korean platforms such as dallbang.com or 모텔달방닷컴 (motel dalbang) are excellent resources for finding wolbang rentals. These platforms often provide detailed listings with photos, prices, and contact information. If you want the spot for ski season, go to Drspark.net or www.hungryboarder.com where they have message boards for private dalbangs. They might also be called 시즌방 near the resort areas.

Search Naver and Instagram
You can search on Naver or Instagram using the keywords 월방 and 달방 for places advertising their short-term rentals independently.


University Bulletin Boards:
Many universities have bulletin boards or online forums where students post available wolbangs, making this a good option for students seeking accommodation near their campus.
Word of Mouth/Walking Through an Area:
Networking with locals in the area you want to stay can sometimes yield recommendations for wolbangs, especially in popular holiday areas like Busan, Gangwondo, and Taean.
We have found walking around an area to be the best way to find dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) in vacation areas near beaches and ski resorts. This is actually how we learned about this type of rental in the first place. We were staying at a pension and started reading the signs around us and realized the pensions were offering monthly stay options. We became curious and started researching in Korean and found they exist all over the country.

It’s important to note, searching in for dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) in languages other than Korean on sites other than Naver or Daum may not provide useful results.
Cost Considerations
When looking for a wolbong / dalbang, keep the following things in mind:
- Monthly Rent: Monthly rent for a wolbang can vary greatly depending on location, size, and amenities. In Seoul, for example, prices can range from 400,000 KRW to over 1,500,000 KRW per month.
- Duration of Stay: Sometimes, the longer you stay the more reasonable your rent.
- Time of Year: As common around the world, wolbang in tourist areas may be more expensive during high season.
- Deposit (보증금, Bojeung-geum): While traditional Korean leases often require substantial deposits, wolbang rentals typically have a smaller deposit. Sometimes they have no deposit. This reduces the upfront financial burden.
- Cleaning Fees and Additional Costs: Some rentals may have a one-time cleaning fee or other charges. It’s important to clarify these details before signing any agreements.
Advantages of Dalbang Rentals
- Low deposits: In Korea, deposits for apartments can be quite high. Woldbong deposits are often under 1 million won which makes them much easier to financially manage.
- Short-term Commitment: Perfect for those unsure about their long-term plans or who require a temporary living situation.
- No Need to Purchase Furniture: The furnished nature of wolbangs reduces the hassle and cost of buying and moving furniture.
- Immediate Availability: Unlike traditional leases, you can often rent dalbang / wolbang quickly, making them ideal for last-minute arrangements.
- Wolbangs Aren’t Registered as a Lease: For international residents who can only have one official residence, renting a wolbang as a weekend home may exist as an affordable option to expensive pensions and hotels. It makes having a summer beach home or winter ski home attainable on a limited budget.
Disadvantages of Dalbang Rentals
Obviously, there are also some common disadvantages to short-term rentals:
- Higher Cost per Month: Compared to longer-term leases, the monthly cost of a wolbang can be higher due to the flexibility offered.
- Limited Personalization: Since wolbangs come furnished, there’s limited scope for personalization or making the space truly feel like home.
- Potential for Noise and Disruptions: In shared accommodations, tenants may experience noise or other disruptions, depending on neighbors or other occupants.
BTS Dalbang Drama
To find a fun way to learn more about dalbangs, go watch the BTW show for your amusement:
Conclusion
Wolbang / dalbang rentals may offer a convenient and flexible housing option for international residents looking for short-term stays in South Korea. Wolbangs provides an opportunity to experience living in Korea without the long-term commitment and financial obligations of traditional leases. When considering a wolbang, thoroughly research the property and understand the terms. This means taking the time to clarify any additional fees to ensure a smooth rental experience.

Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.