[New Word Dictionary] Seulse-gwon - Residential Area with Convenient Facilities Accessible in Slippers

Recently, the term 'Seulse-gwon,' referring to nearby places like cafes, convenience stores, and marts that can be visited comfortably in slippers or pajamas, has emerged as a new real estate trend. Illustration by artist Oh Seong-su

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] In 1963, Adidas founder Adi Dassler received an unexpected request from the German national soccer players. They asked him to make shoes to wear after matches in the locker room. At the time, players took off their wet shoes and walked barefoot between the shower and changing rooms. Considering the players' safety and health, Dassler began design research and soon introduced the three-striped slippers with a navy sole and white stripes, called Adilette. Originally worn mainly by athletes, these three-striped slippers became popular among the general public due to their convenience, and today they have become an essential item owned by everyone from adults to children. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is a well-known slipper enthusiast, often appearing in slippers regardless of whether he is in a formal or informal setting, which has sparked some controversy. In an interview with a media outlet, he expressed his unique love for slippers, saying, "The best thing about being the boss is that I never have to work under anyone, and no one scolds me for coming to work in slippers."

“Seulsegwon” is a compound word combining “slipper” and “segwon (勢圈),” referring to a residential area where various convenience facilities can be accessed while wearing slippers. Traditionally, proximity to subway stations?“yeoksegwon”?was the main criterion for choosing a residence, but recently more people are paying attention to whether cafes, convenience stores, movie theaters, banks, libraries, and shopping malls are within comfortable walking distance in slippers. As the culture of spending most leisure time near home spreads, especially among the 20s and 30s age group, Seulsegwon has become a real estate trend, leading to a surge in investment demand for commercial areas in front of houses or within apartment complexes. Bong Dalho, author of the book “I Go to the Convenience Store Every Day” and a convenience store owner, explained in his book that “from a business perspective, it’s better to have more ‘resident population’ wearing slippers than ‘floating population’ wearing dress shoes,” highlighting the locational advantage of Seulsegwon. The convenience symbolized by slippers is changing leisure culture and transforming the spaces around residential areas.

Example

A: I heard you’re moving out on your own? Where are you looking for a place?
B: I’m looking for somewhere close to work, but it’s not easy to find a good spot.
A: Being close to the station is the best.
B: That’s good too, but I prefer places near convenience stores, StarO’s, and MacO’s.
A: Is there such a place? That’s a total Seulsegwon.