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Learn Korean Online: Korea's Guesthouse Party Culture | Soona Study Lab

Making Friends on the Road: Korea's Guesthouse Party Culture


When you think of a 'guesthouse' or 'hostel', you might imagine a quiet, cheap place for backpackers to sleep. However, in Korea's top tourist destinations like Jeju Island and Gangneung, the guesthouse culture has evolved into something entirely different. It has become the ultimate 'social space' for the MZ generation!


During the day, travelers explore the beautiful scenery on their own. But when night falls, everyone gathers in the living room for a BBQ or seafood party organized by the guesthouse. Even if they are strangers, sharing drinks and travel stories quickly breaks the ice. People intentionally seek out these guesthouses not only to save money but to make new connections and unforgettable memories.

In today's premium interactive lesson, we will explore the vocabulary and advanced grammar needed to describe travel experiences, natural outcomes, and multiple reasons.


Click the play buttons in the interactive module below to listen to the native pronunciation and practice reading out loud! 

(The full lesson transcript, vocabulary list, and grammar breakdown are provided at the bottom of the page.)

Travel and Talk Like a Local


The guesthouse party trend perfectly highlights how young Koreans actively seek new connections and experiences. By mastering grammar points like -(으)ㄹ 겸 (To do A while also doing B) and -는 데다가 (Not only... but also), you can describe your own travel plans and complex situations fluently and naturally.


Remember, reading about Korean culture is just the first step. To truly confidently chat with strangers at a Jeju guesthouse, you need to practice speaking out loud! If you want to train these conversational skills in real-time and get immediate feedback on your nuances, join my 1:1 conversation classes. Let's reach your fluency goals together!


Full Lesson Transcript, Vocabulary, Grammar Tables & Discussion (Free Study Materials)

Korean News Transcript: Guesthouse Culture

최근 한국에서는 2030 세대를 중심으로 '게스트하우스' 여행 문화가 크게 변하고 있습니다.

Recently in Korea, the 'guesthouse' travel culture is changing significantly, centered around the 20-30s generation.

[Choe-geun han-gu-ge-seo-neun i-gong-sam-gong se-dae-reul jung-si-meu-ro 'ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu' yeo-haeng mun-hwa-ga keu-ge byeon-ha-go it-sseum-ni-da.]


과거에는 배낭여행객들이 저렴하게 잠만 자는 곳이었지만, 이제는 새로운 사람들을 만나는 소셜 공간이 되었습니다.

In the past, it was a place where backpackers just slept cheaply, but now it has become a social space to meet new people.

[Gwa-geo-e-neun bae-nang-yeo-haeng-gaek-tteu-ri jeo-ryeom-ha-ge jam-man ja-neun go-si-eot-jji-man, i-je-neun sae-ro-un sa-ram-deu-reul man-na-neun so-syeol gong-ga-ni doe-eo-sseum-ni-da.]


특히 제주도나 강릉 같은 유명 관광지의 게스트하우스는 밤마다 열리는 파티로 유명합니다.

Especially guesthouses in famous tourist destinations like Jeju Island or Gangneung are famous for their parties held every night.

[Teu-ki je-ju-do-na gang-neung ga-teun yu-myeong gwan-gwang-ji-e ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu-neun bam-ma-da yeol-li-neun pa-ti-ro yu-myeong-ham-ni-da.]


낮에는 각자 여행을 즐기고, 저녁이 되면 거실에 모여 함께 바비큐나 해산물을 먹습니다.

During the day, they enjoy traveling on their own, and when evening comes, they gather in the living room to eat barbecue or seafood together.

[Na-je-neun gak-jja yeo-haeng-eul jeul-gi-go, jeo-nyeo-gi doe-myeon geo-si-re mo-yeo ham-kke ba-bi-kyu-na hae-san-mu-reul meok-sseum-ni-da.]


처음 보는 사이라도 여행이라는 공통점 덕분에 금방 친해지기 마련입니다.

Even if they are meeting for the first time, they are bound to get close quickly thanks to the commonality of travel.

[Cheo-eum bo-neun sa-i-ra-do yeo-haeng-i-ra-neun gong-tong-jeom deok-ppu-ne geum-bang chi-nae-ji-gi ma-ryeo-nim-ni-da.]


일부 게스트하우스는 투숙객들을 위해 서핑, 오름 등반 등 다양한 체험 프로그램을 제공하기도 합니다.

Some guesthouses also provide various experience programs such as surfing or climbing oreums (small volcanic cones) for their guests.

[Il-bu ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu-neun tu-suk-kkaek-tteu-reul wi-hae seo-ping, o-reum deung-ban deung da-yang-han che-heom peu-ro-geu-rae-meul je-gong-ha-gi-do ham-ni-da.]


휴식도 취할 겸 새로운 인연도 만들 겸 게스트하우스를 일부러 찾는 사람들이 많습니다.

There are many people who intentionally seek out guesthouses to take a rest as well as to make new connections.

[Hyu-sik-tto chwi-hal gyeom sae-ro-un i-nyeon-do man-deul gyeom ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu-reul il-bu-reo chan-neun sa-ram-deu-ri man-sseum-ni-da.]


숙박비가 저렴한 데다가 재미있는 추억까지 남길 수 있습니다.

Not only is the accommodation fee cheap, but you can also leave fun memories.

[Suk-ppak-ppi-ga jeo-ryeom-han de-da-ga jae-mi-in-neun chu-eok-kka-ji nam-gil ssu it-sseum-ni-da.]


물론 조용히 혼자만의 시간을 보내고 싶은 사람들을 위한 감성적인 게스트하우스도 여전히 인기가 높습니다.

Of course, emotional guesthouses for people who want to quietly spend time alone are also still highly popular.

[Mul-lon jo-yong-hi hon-ja-man-e si-ga-neul bo-nae-go si-peun sa-ram-deu-reul wi-han gam-seong-jeo-gin ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu-do yeo-jeon-hi in-gi-ga nop-sseum-ni-da.]


게스트하우스마다 특색이 달라서, 다 같이 기타를 치며 노래를 부르거나 신나는 파티를 즐길 수도 있습니다.

Since each guesthouse has different characteristics, you can all play the guitar and sing together, or enjoy an exciting party.

[Ge-seu-teu-ha-u-seu-ma-da teuk-ssae-gi dal-la-seo, da ga-chi gi-ta-reul chi-myeo no-rae-reul bu-reu-geo-na sin-na-neun pa-ti-reul jeul-gil ssu-do it-sseum-ni-da.]


이번 휴가에는 낯선 사람들과 이야기꽃을 피우며 색다른 여행을 경험해 보는 건 어떨까요?

For this vacation, how about experiencing a different kind of travel while having lively conversations with strangers?

[I-beon hyu-ga-e-neun nat-sseon sa-ram-deul-gwa i-ya-gi-kko-cheul pi-u-myeo saek-tta-reun yeo-haeng-eul gyeong-heom-hae bo-neun geon eo-tteol-kka-yo?]

Essential Vocabulary

  • 여행 [yeo-haeng] : Travel

  • 저렴하다 [jeo-ryeom-ha-da] : To be cheap / affordable

  • 잠 [jam] : Sleep

  • 밤 [bam] : Night

  • 거실 [geo-sil] : Living room

  • 처음 [cheo-eum] : First time

  • 휴가 [hyu-ga] : Vacation

  • 노래 부르다 [no-rae bu-reu-da] : To sing

  • 숙박비 [suk-ppak-ppi] : Accommodation fee

  • 특색 [teuk-ssaek] : Characteristic

  • 해산물 [hae-san-mul] : Seafood

  • 공통점 [gong-tong-jeom] : Commonality / Something in common

  • 친해지다 [chi-nae-ji-da] : To get close / To become friends

  • 제공하다 [je-gong-ha-da] : To provide

  • 기타 치다 [gi-ta chi-da] : To play guitar

  • 예약 [ye-yak] : Reservation

  • 배낭여행객 [bae-nang-yeo-haeng-gaek] : Backpacker

  • 관광지 [gwan-gwang-ji] : Tourist destination

  • 투숙객 [tu-suk-kkaek] : Guest (at an accommodation)

  • 추억 [chu-eok] : Memory

  • 소셜 공간 [so-syeol gong-gan] : Social space

  • 인연 [i-nyeon] : Connection / Relationship

  • 감성적인 [gam-seong-jeo-gin] : Emotional / Aesthetic

  • 이야기꽃을 피우다 [i-ya-gi-kko-cheul pi-u-da] : To have a lively conversation

Key Grammar Points

1. Verb + -(으)ㄹ 겸 (To do A while also doing B)


  • Action Verb (Vowel/ㄹ) + ㄹ 겸: 쉬다 -> 쉴 겸 (to rest as well as...)

  • Action Verb (Consonant) + 을 겸: 먹다 -> 먹을 겸 (to eat as well as...)

  • Noun + 겸: 쇼핑 -> 쇼핑 겸 (for shopping as well as...)


휴식도 취할 겸 새로운 인연도 만들 겸 찾습니다.

They seek it out to take a rest as well as to make new connections.

[Hyu-sik-tto chwi-hal gyeom sae-ro-un i-nyeon-do man-deul gyeom chat-sseum-ni-da.]


2. Verb/Adjective + -기 마련이다 (It is bound to... / It is natural that...)


  • Action Verb/Adjective + 기 마련이다: 친해지다 -> 친해지기 마련이다 (bound to get close)

  • Action Verb/Adjective + 기 마련이다: 쓰다 -> 쓰기 마련이다 (natural to spend)


처음 보는 사이라도 금방 친해지기 마련입니다.

Even if they are meeting for the first time, they are bound to get close quickly.

[Cheo-eum bo-neun sa-i-ra-do geum-bang chi-nae-ji-gi ma-ryeo-nim-ni-da.]


3. Adjective + -(으)ㄴ 데다가 / Verb + -는 데다가 (Not only... but also...)


  • Action Verb + 는 데다가: 먹다 -> 먹는 데다가 (not only eat but also)

  • Adjective + (으)ㄴ 데다가: 저렴하다 -> 저렴한 데다가 (not only cheap but also)


숙박비가 저렴한 데다가 추억까지 남길 수 있습니다.

Not only is the accommodation fee cheap, but you can also leave memories.

[Suk-ppak-ppi-ga jeo-ryeom-han de-da-ga chu-eok-kka-ji nam-gil ssu it-sseum-ni-da.]

Free Talking & Discussion Questions

게스트하우스에서 모르는 사람들과 파티를 해 본 적이 있나요?

Have you ever partied with strangers at a guesthouse?


여행을 갈 때 호텔과 게스트하우스 중 어디를 더 선호하나요?

When you travel, which do you prefer: a hotel or a guesthouse?


혼자 여행하는 것과 친구들과 함께 여행하는 것의 장단점은 무엇일까요?

What are the pros and cons of traveling alone versus traveling with friends?


제주도나 강릉처럼 바다가 있는 곳으로 여행을 자주 가는 편인가요?

Do you tend to travel often to places with a sea like Jeju Island or Gangneung?


여행지에서 만난 낯선 사람과 금방 친해지는 성격인가요?

Are you the type of person who quickly gets close to strangers you meet while traveling?


저렴한 가격과 재미있는 파티 중 게스트하우스 선택 시 무엇이 더 중요한가요?

Between a cheap price and a fun party, what is more important when choosing a guesthouse?


조용히 휴식하는 여행과 사람들과 어울리는 여행 중 어떤 스타일을 좋아하나요?

Which style do you like: a trip where you rest quietly or a trip where you mingle with people?


한국에 온다면 게스트하우스에서 어떤 사람들을 만나보고 싶나요?

If you come to Korea, what kind of people do you want to meet at a guesthouse?


여행을 할 때 가장 중요하게 생각하는 것은 무엇인가요? (숙소, 음식, 관광 등)

What do you consider the most important when traveling? (Accommodation, food, sightseeing, etc.)


여러분의 나라에도 여행객들이 다 같이 모여 노는 숙박 문화가 있나요?

Is there an accommodation culture in your country where travelers gather and hang out together?


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