Seoul Exhibition Offers Rare Glimpse Inside Korean Homes
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – September 8, 2025 – A new exhibition titled “Behind Closed Doors” is offering an unprecedented look into teh private lives of Seoul residents, revealing the diverse realities of contemporary Korean living. The display, currently open at the Seoul Urban space Basic Plan Exhibition Hall, features meticulously recreated interiors of eight distinct apartments and homes, offering visitors a tangible understanding of how Koreans navigate space, design, and daily life within the densely populated capital.
The exhibition arrives as South Korea grapples with evolving housing challenges - from soaring property prices and shrinking household sizes to changing lifestyle preferences.”Behind Closed doors” isn’t simply an architectural showcase; it’s a social commentary, reflecting the economic pressures, cultural values, and personal aspirations shaping the domestic environments of Seoul’s inhabitants. The project,a collaboration between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and architectural firms studio HJRK and PARKIM,aims to spark public dialog about the future of urban housing and the quality of life within the city.
The featured homes represent a broad spectrum of Seoul’s population, ranging from a single-person micro-apartment measuring just 36 square meters (387 square feet) to a multi-generational family dwelling. Each space is based on real-life residents who agreed to open their homes to the design teams, providing detailed insights into their routines, possessions, and personal stories. Soyeong Lee, one of the project’s lead researchers, emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating the goal was to “capture the essence of everyday life, not idealized versions of domesticity.”
Visitors can explore the intricacies of a young couple’s minimalist apartment, a working mother’s efficiently organized family home, and the cozy, cluttered space of an elderly couple who have lived in their apartment for decades. The exhibition details not only the physical layout of each home but also the rationale behind design choices, the challenges faced by residents, and the emotional connections they have with their living spaces.
The exhibition runs through November 23, 2025, and organizers hope it will inspire architects, policymakers, and the public to consider innovative solutions for creating more livable and equitable housing options in Seoul and beyond. The project builds upon a growing global interest in understanding the relationship between domestic space and social well-being,particularly in rapidly urbanizing environments.
