For foreigners, renting a house in Seoul is indeed a challenging process. Seoul, as the capital and economic and cultural center of South Korea, attracts a large number of people from all over the world to work, study or travel here. However, the housing market of this city is renowned for its complexity and uniqueness, especially for foreigners who are not familiar with the local culture and legal system.

First of all, the rental housing system in Seoul is significantly different from that of many countries. The two most common forms of renting are "full tax" (Jeonse) and "monthly rent" (Wolse). Full tax requires tenants to pay a large deposit to the landlord at one time, usually about half of the house's value, without having to pay monthly rent. Although this model can get the deposit back at the end of the contract, it may cause considerable financial pressure for foreigners who have just arrived in Seoul. In contrast, monthly rent requires a lower deposit plus a fixed monthly rent, but the overall cost may be higher. Therefore, which way to choose depends on an individual's financial situation and long-term residence plan.

Secondly, language barriers are also a problem that cannot be ignored. Although an increasing number of young people in South Korea can use English fluently, Korean is still needed when dealing with formal documents, contract terms and communicating with intermediaries. If the details in the lease agreement cannot be accurately understood, such as the allocation of maintenance responsibilities and the rules for sharing water and electricity charges, it may lead to subsequent disputes. Furthermore, some landlords may be more inclined to rent their houses to locals because they believe that this can reduce potential risks.

Furthermore, geographical location is also an important factor. Seoul is a highly developed city, and there are huge differences in the convenience of life, transportation conditions and rent levels among different areas. For instance, Jiangnan District is renowned for its high-end apartments and is suitable for tenants who pursue a high-quality life. The areas around Hongdae University and Pear University, being close to the university and commercial streets, have become ideal choices for young people and students. However, these popular locations are often highly competitive, with a fast update rate of properties, leaving foreign tenants with very limited time to choose.