What are the different types of housing available in Korea, and what should I know about each one before deciding where to live?

When I was deciding where to live, understanding the housing types and the deposit system helped the most. The main types are the one-room (wonroom), basically a studio; the officetel, a studio-to-one-bedroom in a mixed residential-commercial building, usually newer with good security; the villa, a low-rise multi-unit building, often more space for the money but older; and the apartment, the large complexes with management, amenities, and the most stable resale and rental value. There is also the goshiwon, a tiny cheap room used short-term. The bigger thing to learn is the payment structure: jeonse is a large lump-sum deposit (often a big chunk of the property value) with little or no monthly rent, returned when you leave, while wolse is a smaller deposit plus monthly rent. As a foreigner, watch deposit safety with jeonse: verify the landlord and property through the registry, and use protections like a confirmed date and a move-in report. Apartments and officetels are generally the easiest and safest for newcomers, even if pricier. Use apps like Zigbang or Dabang, ideally with an agent, to compare.