"So Smart, It's Astonishing... The 'Dream Home' Made Real for 100 Million Won [Mania]"

Realizing the '5-to-2 Lifestyle' Dream
Visiting LG Smart Cottage in Gimje
LG Appliances in Studio and Duplex Spaces
From Solar Power to Integrated Boiler Systems
Ideal for Those Seeking a 'Sleek Villa'

A neat villa standing tall in a quiet rural village. While the surroundings are agricultural, the interior boasts infrastructure comparable to that of a city apartment. This is the dream for anyone hoping to own a weekend farm. LG Electronics has launched the 'Smart Cottage,' a modular home that can make this dream a reality. Last month, I personally visited the Smart Cottage in Gimje, North Jeolla Province.

Interior view of LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45' visited by a reporter last month. Photo by Park Jooni.

"It's hard to believe there's a house like this here..." In Juksan Village, located 10 kilometers from Gimje Station, four Smart Cottage models have been installed. Although the area has recently gained fame through TV broadcasts and features restaurants and cafes such as the 'Lee Jangwoo Brewery,' it is primarily a farming area surrounded by fields. As I entered the village and followed a side street, I suddenly came upon several sleek, square-shaped homes with a modern exterior.

Exterior of LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45' visited by a reporter last month. Photo by Park Joonyi.

Here, I was able to see four different models of LG Electronics' Smart Cottage in person. LG Electronics launched the Smart Cottage last year and recently introduced two new models (26.4 square meters and 52.8 square meters). The 'Mono' is a single-story model where the entrance leads directly into the living room, forming a spacious studio that combines the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom into one space. The two-story 'Duo Plus' model, which I experienced, has a living room, kitchen, and bathroom on the first floor, with the bedroom located on the second floor. Depending on the options and size, there are six types to choose from: Mono Core 27, Mono Core 54, Mono Plus 26, Mono Max 26, Duo Plus 45, and Duo Max 45.

All four models featured clean and stylish interiors and exteriors, making them suitable for placement anywhere. It felt as if a brand-new city officetel unit had been relocated to the countryside. The only drawback was that the space was somewhat limited for a group of people to use comfortably. However, it seemed perfectly adequate as a weekend home for the "5-2 lifestyle" (five days working in the city, two days spent in the countryside). Additionally, since it does not require a large plot of land, it would be ideal for those interested in compact housing.

The 'Duo Plus 45' and 'Duo Max 45' installed side by side. Photo by Park Juni.

Recently, demand for modular homes as second houses has been rising, especially among people in their 40s and 50s. According to the Korea Iron & Steel Association and the Construction Policy Research Institute, the domestic construction market-including modular homes-is projected to reach up to 4.4 trillion won by 2030. The global market is also growing rapidly. Market research firm MarketsandMarkets forecasts that the global modular construction market will reach 140.8 billion dollars (about 194 trillion won) by 2029. Not only LG Electronics but also other home appliance companies, such as Samsung Electronics, are expanding their competition in the smart modular housing business.

The first impression upon entering was how efficiently the space was utilized. Although the interior was not particularly spacious, whether in the studio or duplex layout, it was immediately clear that all essential LG Electronics appliances were included. Built-in products such as the StandbyME portable stand TV, Puricare water purifier, Objet Modern Edge refrigerator, Objet Collection lightwave oven, dishwasher, and WashTower were all present. It was convenient and enjoyable to experience LG Electronics' latest products all at once.

Interior view of the first floor of LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45'. It is equipped with Tromm Objet Collection Wish Tower and CordZero vacuum cleaner. Photo by Park Juni.

All of these products could be easily controlled using the LG ThinQ App. Everything from lighting on each floor and in each zone to air circulation and indoor temperature and humidity could be finely adjusted. The automatic switches allowed for convenient raising and lowering of the blinds installed throughout the house. In particular, the Smart Cottage features LG Electronics' heating and cooling solutions. The 'Integrated System Boiler,' which combines indoor and outdoor units into a single module, produces hot and cold water directly from the outdoor unit to regulate the temperature throughout the space. The system boiler, hot water tank, and FCU (fan coil unit) indoor units supply heating and cooling to the interior.

Interior view of the second-floor bedroom of LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45'. Photo by Park Joonyi.

Interior view of the second-floor bedroom of LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45'. Photo by Park Joonyi.

With the integrated system, it was easy to freely adjust the heating and cooling, and using the 'automatic mode' for temperature settings made the indoor space even more comfortable. Although I visited during early autumn, I felt confident that the Smart Cottage would remain comfortable even in colder or hotter weather, unaffected by high temperatures or drafts. However, since multiple air conditioning and heating systems are built in, the noise from the devices operating at night was noticeable when sleeping.

When I turned on the ThinQ App, I could check the temperature and humidity of each space, including the first and second floors and the bathroom, in real time. The air conditioners installed on the first and second floors allowed for settings such as indoor temperature, fan speed, automatic drying, and scheduling. Various lighting fixtures installed in the entrance and kitchen could also be turned on and off through the app. It seemed convenient to be able to control various devices in the home remotely, even when away. The door lock was also linked to the ThinQ App, so I could receive notifications in the app when opening or closing the door or turning the main lights on or off.

You can control indoor appliances, cooling, and temperature and humidity systems with the LG ThinQ App. Screenshot of the ThinQ App screen.

The Smart Cottage can be equipped with solar panels. Integrated panels for solar power generation are installed on the upper roof of the building, enabling the home to produce its own electricity. The Smart Cottage has been recognized as exceeding the 100% standard for Grade 1 'Zero Energy Building Certification' awarded by the Korea Energy Agency, meaning its energy production surpasses its consumption.

The Smart Cottage is manufactured using a 'prefabrication' method, with more than 70% of the modular structure, windows, wiring, bathroom, kitchen fixtures, and other materials produced in advance and then delivered. As a result, the construction period can be shortened by more than 50% compared to the conventional reinforced concrete method. Through the official website, customers can virtually select options such as the installation site, product type, exterior and interior colors, and finishing materials, as well as check estimated costs. After requesting an on-site inspection and selecting the model and options, a team of professional managers, architects, and installation and delivery staff will visit the site to provide consultations on delivery feasibility and handle construction contracts.

The 'Integrated System Boiler' and hot water tank installed outside the LG Electronics Gimje Smart Cottage 'Duo Max 45'. Photo by Park Juni.

The price of the Smart Cottage varies depending on the options, ranging from 100 million to 180 million won (Mono), 200 million won (Mono Plus), and 280 million to 390 million won (Duo). The price changes depending on whether solar panels are installed and on the selection of optional furniture. Although it is not a low price, it is an attractive choice because everything from the on-site inspection and construction to built-in appliances and solar facilities can be handled at once, without the need for separate interior work or installations. Currently, model house tours and consultations are available at the Gimje Smart Cottage through application and reservation.