A Tapestry of Experiences: How Seoul Nooks Unfolded
Hello, I’m Yeji Cheon, the founder of Seoul Nooks. I often get asked about the origins of this unique coliving space in the heart of Seoul. The truth is, the journey to Seoul Nooks is deeply interwoven with my personal narrative. Today, I want to share with you the tale of that journey, from my days as a globe-trotter to the moment Seoul Nooks was born. This is the story behind Seoul Nooks, a tale of connections, shared experiences, and the spirit of community. So, shall we begin?
When people inquire, “How did you start Seoul Nooks?” I often surprise them with my response. “It wasn’t a calculated plan,” I tell them, “it simply unfolded naturally.” Each personal experience and choice I made wove together like threads in a tapestry to form the journey that led to Seoul Nooks.
Maybe the thread goes all the way back to my childhood. I was raised in a vibrant, busy household comprising my parents, my aunt and uncle, my grandma, my younger brother, and myself. Our home also served as a frequent hangout spot for my cousins who lived nearby.
At 15, I began a sort of nomadic life, moving between cities in pursuit of better education, away from my parents. Profoundly influenced by my surroundings, I actively sought environments that catalyzed the changes I wanted to see within myself. I often felt lonely and like an outlier even within my family and hometown, which nurtured my search for community.
In 2015, my life took a more actively nomadic turn, beginning in Bali. Traveling on a budget had me depending on the kindness of many, especially the warmth and generosity of the Couchsurfing community. I was deeply touched and resolved to pay forward the kindness I had received whenever possible.
In 2018, I had to stop traveling and settle in Seoul to join a friend’s social venture. Even though my geographic explorations were on hold, I was determined to keep alive the essence of travel within me — the curiosity, the questioning, the fresh perspectives. Hosting travelers was a way to do that. Their questions about things I had started to take for granted helped me keep the wonder alive. However, my hectic schedule meant I couldn’t host short-term couchsurfers anymore. In an effort to sustain this, I transitioned to hosting long-term nomads, sharing the hosting duties with two well-traveled friends.
We shared a three-bedroom apartment in the bustling neighborhood of Mangwon-dong, where we hosted digital nomads and a constant influx of friends. Our living room became an open space for cultural exchange, bursting with new and exciting stories. But after a year, my friends began feeling uncomfortable. The cultural differences and behaviors of some nomads made my friends feel less at home and stressed. They didn’t want to host nomads anymore, and I had to make a decision: should I stop and continue living with them, or should I venture on my own path? After two to three months of contemplation, I chose the latter, hoping to continue my journey of ‘traveling at home.’
This introspection led to the birth of Seoul Nooks. What began as a way to continue traveling and reciprocate the generosity I’d received on the road, evolved into something much more. As I conceptualized Seoul Nooks, I reflected on the travelers who had left the deepest impressions on me. These were ‘global citizens,’ who brought the world into my living room, sparking insightful conversations and helping broaden my horizons. They represented the person I aspired to be, and I was creating a space that aligned with this ideal.
Today, Seoul Nooks is more than just a coliving space. It’s a community of global citizens, sharing experiences, learning from each other, and growing together. It offers more than just a place to stay. It’s a space for belonging, curiosity, connection, and lifelong learning, mirroring the diverse and dynamic world we inhabit.
