[Inside the Semi-Basement World]②"No Flood Barriers, But the Rent Is Cheap..."

Residents Say, "It's So Humid, I Always Have to Run a Dehumidifier"
Living Space Lower Than the Road... Survival Threatened by Flooding
Countless Semi-Basement Villas Lack Flood Barriers

People are passing by outside the window of a semi-basement house in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

"The monthly rent is 300,000 won."

According to a survey conducted by Asia Economy from April 14 to 18, which interviewed 10 residents of semi-basement homes both online and offline, most cited low rent as the main reason for living in a semi-basement. The average daily rent is about 10,000 won (based on Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul). However, not a single respondent recommended living in a semi-basement. The main reasons were not social stigma, humidity, or pollution. Instead, they pointed to the threat to survival posed by localized heavy rainfall. All agreed that, if they had more money, they would leave the semi-basement for the sake of their own safety.

A semi-basement building in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. A vehicle is parked right next to the window of the semi-basement house. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

There Are Clear Reasons Why Semi-Basement Rents Are Low

On May 7, a survey of real estate agencies in a villa complex in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul revealed that the monthly rent for semi-basement units in this area is about 200,000 to 300,000 won cheaper than above-ground units. For a studio apartment with a dedicated area of 16 square meters, listings are available for a deposit of 5 million won and a monthly rent of 300,000 won. Such properties are attractive to young people just starting out, students, and the elderly who are struggling financially. By contrast, a ground-floor unit of the same size requires a deposit of 10 million won and a monthly rent of 530,000 won.

Most semi-basement units in Sillim-dong are located in older buildings. According to data published by the Seoul Institute, as of 2021, Gwanak-gu had the highest number of underground and semi-basement homes in Seoul, with 16,265 households. This is 2,144 more than Gangbuk-gu, which had 14,121 such households. As a result, rents are set relatively lower than in other areas. It is also convenient to use urban infrastructure. In Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, residents can easily travel to places like Gangnam and Guro Digital Complex via Subway Line 2.

However, there are clear reasons why the rent is low. Residents must sacrifice their quality of life. The inconveniences of living in a semi-basement are numerous. Residents said, "It's so humid that I always have to run a dehumidifier and keep the front door open," or "No matter how much I try to manage it, in the summer the place is full of bugs and mold." When visiting a semi-basement room in Sillim-dong on April 18, these inconveniences were palpable. The entire house was heavy with moisture, black mold was visible throughout the room, and the interior was so dark that it was hard to believe people could live there. If someone on the upper floor washes the floor, the water runs down and pools in the semi-basement. Most of these are old buildings, so the water does not drain and ends up stagnating and rotting.

Inside a semi-basement in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. The wallpaper is covered with mold. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

Where Is the Flood Barrier for Semi-Basements?

In particular, through the window of this semi-basement room, the lower halves of parked cars and people passing by were clearly visible. The window could not be opened. It was embarrassing to have all your belongings on display to passersby, but cleaning up the street dust that accumulates inside was an even bigger problem. Residents explained that life in a semi-basement means having to choose every day between letting in outside dust or keeping out the humidity.

The fact that the living space is lower than the road outside the window can cause even bigger problems, specifically the risk of flooding and threats to survival. If drainage is even slightly inadequate during rainfall, water can rush into the home. In the Sillim-dong area, which is near Dorimcheon, the risk of flooding is especially high during the monsoon season. In August 2022, a family of three died in a semi-basement flooding incident.

A window of a semi-basement house in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. No flood prevention equipment is installed. Photo by Lee Jungyoon

However, just a brief walk around the area reveals that many semi-basement villas lack any flood prevention equipment. The same was true in Daerim-dong, which also suffered heavy damage during the Sillim-dong disaster. Instead of proper flood barriers, semi-basement units in these areas typically use styrofoam or bricks as makeshift defenses against water. Under these circumstances, even Chinese immigrants who once dreamed of a "Korean Dream" in these semi-basement homes are now packing up and leaving to avoid them. An agent at a real estate office near Sillim-dong said, "After experiencing flood damage, even Chinese residents are avoiding semi-basements. Most people looking for semi-basement units in Sillim-dong now are poor Koreans." However, residents remain anxious and have not been able to come up with any effective solutions. The main reason is that they cannot afford to move to above-ground units. They also do not know how to install flood barriers. One resident said, "I'm worried about flooding, but I don't know what to do. As soon as I save up enough money, I plan to move somewhere else."