Speaker A
How much does it cost to spend a day working in Gangnam? This is a co-working space. Just one of these covers costs 13,500 won. How much do you think you need to live a comfortable life in Seoul or Gangnam?
Explore the real cost of living and working in Gangnam, Seoul, including salaries, daily expenses, and lifestyle insights from a local perspective.
Key Takeaways
- Gangnam has a high cost of living, with expensive office spaces and daily expenses.
- Korean salaries vary widely, with big corporations paying well but SMEs offering lower wages.
- Transportation costs are increasing, impacting daily commuting expenses.
- A comfortable life in Seoul or Gangnam requires a monthly income of around 3 million won or more.
- Office workers often rely on supplements and simple meals due to busy lifestyles and health concerns.
What the video covers
- The video explores the daily cost of working in Gangnam, including co-working space fees and transportation expenses.
- It discusses the high cost of living in Gangnam and Seoul, comparing Korean salaries with those in Taiwan.
- The host visits a company in Gangnam and shares insights about the business environment and office culture.
- Transportation costs in Korea are rising, with current subway fares at 1,550 won and potential increases to 2,000 won.
- The video highlights the difference in pay between large corporations and small to medium enterprises in Korea.
- The host shares personal routines including supplement intake and food choices, reflecting lifestyle habits of office workers.
- Lunch in Gangnam typically costs around 11,000 to 13,500 won, illustrating the expensive food prices.
- The video includes interviews with Korean workers about their salary expectations and cost of living.
- Minimum wage in Korea is 9,860 won per hour, equating to about 2.06 million won monthly based on a 40-hour workweek.
- The host reflects on personal experiences and the competitive nature of working life in Seoul.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to Gangnam workday costs
- 01:29Gangnam business environment and cost of living
- 02:58Transportation fares and commuting details
- 04:59Salary comparisons between Korea and Taiwan
- 06:43Arrival in Gangnam and morning routine
- 07:58Supplements and health habits of office workers
- 09:15Typical lunch costs in Gangnam
- 11:02Reflections on office life and salary expectations
- 12:20Interviews with workers and final thoughts
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
Hi everyone, I'm S, welcome to my channel. Today is the first day back to work after the Chuseok holiday. Korea is truly seasonal; as soon as Chuseok ended, the temperature dropped immediately. It's the kind of weather where you need to wear a jacket now.
Speaker A
Hi everyone, I'm S. Welcome to my channel. Today is the first day back to work after the Chuseok holiday. Korea is truly seasonal; as soon as Chuseok ended, the temperature dropped immediately. It's the kind of weather where you need to wear a jacket now.
Speaker A
issues and performance. The company I'm visiting today is in Gangnam. People often think of plastic surgery clinics there, but there are actually many, many companies. Besides being home to many businesses, the cost of living in Gangnam is also very, very high. So
Speaker A
Although I've been out of the traditional workforce for a while, I've shared before that I occasionally visit brands I collaborate with or those that ask me about marketing. I'll head to their offices for the day to discuss product development or recent marketing
Speaker A
their take is on Korean salaries and the cost of living. If you're interested in this kind of video, be sure to watch until the end. I'm taking the subway to Gangnam now, so I need to top up my transit card first. Subway
Speaker A
issues and performance. The company I'm visiting today is in Gangnam. People often think of plastic surgery clinics there, but there are actually many, many companies. Besides being home to many businesses, the cost of living in Gangnam is also very, very high. So
Speaker A
Korean transportation costs have gone up quite a bit lately, and I heard they might raise it to 2,000 won next year.
Speaker A
today, it's been a while since I've filmed what office workers eat and how much a day in Gangnam costs. Today, I'll also interview a Korean person working in Gangnam to ask how much they think you need to live there and what
Speaker A
Actually, when looking at salary trends from Taiwan, people might think Korean salaries are super high, like double what they are in Taiwan. But in reality , it's really the big corporations in Korea that pay well; small and medium-sized enterprises are actually
Speaker A
their take is on Korean salaries and the cost of living. If you're interested in this kind of video, be sure to watch until the end. I'm taking the subway to Gangnam now, so I need to top up my transit card first. Subway
Speaker A
, we’ll record an actual day and see if you all think this amount of money is enough. It takes about 30 minutes to get from my place to Gangnam, and it was about the same commute back when I
Speaker A
fare in Korea is now 1,550 won, and the bus is 1,500 won. If you transfer from the subway to a bus, the bus is free, but transferring from a bus to the subway doesn't seem to have a discount.
Speaker A
I might just grab some bread or something; it’s not like Taiwan with so many options, like egg pancakes, so I usually just have coffee in the morning. There are many coffee shops gathered here in the underground center , but the one I want is this one, Woo.
Speaker A
Korean transportation costs have gone up quite a bit lately, and I heard they might raise it to 2,000 won next year.
Speaker A
huge, huge amount of supplements. The reason I’m rushing to take this now is because it needs to be taken on an empty stomach; this is Lipi Enzyme, and it helps trim down belly fat. You take two of these a day, and I usually take
Speaker A
I think 2,000 won is pretty outrageous. I usually pay with a credit card, though I haven't used it in a while, maybe for 10,000 won. I also want to take this chance to share what the current minimum wage in Korea is.
Speaker A
already finished five or six boxes. It’s really effective, and this time after I actually stopped for a month, I realized my stomach really started popping out, then I started taking it again and it started trimming down.
Speaker A
Actually, when looking at salary trends from Taiwan, people might think Korean salaries are super high, like double what they are in Taiwan. But in reality, it's really the big corporations in Korea that pay well; small and medium-sized enterprises are actually
Speaker A
regular latte. Time to go to work then. I'm going to this FastFive. Actually, when I worked at a beauty company a few years ago, I was working at F. S5F, wow , this floor is beautiful. This right here is a shared office. Things like
Speaker A
quite stingy with their starting salaries. The current minimum wage in Korea is 9,860 won per hour. Based on a 40-hour work week, that's about 2.06 million won a month, or roughly 50,000 NTD. Seems pretty high, right? So today
Speaker A
don't know if you all remember this scene; about four years ago when I filmed a vlog, an office worker vlog, the layout was basically exactly the same; you can go back and look at those videos from back then. And now there
Speaker A
we’ll record an actual day and see if you all think this amount of money is enough. It takes about 30 minutes to get from my place to Gangnam, and it was about the same commute back when I
Speaker A
they cost two or three million a month. It's expensive, super expensive, and they're probably only for two or three people. But I think this place is great , it’s like having a perfect office space without needing to buy extra
Speaker A
worked, since Seoul is quite large. Arriving in Gangnam, it’s really bustling and prosperous, and one advantage is having the Gangnam underground shopping center to browse on my way to or from work. I usually don't eat breakfast, and even if I do,
Speaker A
I was really worried about getting tanned and gaining weight, so I brought tons of supplements and took them very diligently, not missing a single pack.
Speaker A
I might just grab some bread or something; it’s not like Taiwan with so many options, like egg pancakes, so I usually just have coffee in the morning. There are many coffee shops gathered here in the underground center, but the one I want is this one, Woo.
Speaker A
thinks I'm in my 20s. I usually drink it with PDRN. Isn't there a very popular PDRN drink on the market lately ? I drank it before, but after looking it up online, I found its ingredients weren't that pure, so I developed this
Speaker A
This place is really popular lately; everyone says this one is good. Before heading to work, I need to take some supplements first. Actually, I only started taking supplements seriously after I came to Korea and started working, because Koreans really take a
Speaker A
actually effective. Besides being great for antioxidants and anti-fatigue, one of the biggest benefits of blood orange extract is that it helps burn fat, so it works really well when taken with probiotics. Like this trip to the US, not only did I not gain weight, I
Speaker A
huge, huge amount of supplements. The reason I’m rushing to take this now is because it needs to be taken on an empty stomach; this is Lipi Enzyme, and it helps trim down belly fat. You take two of these a day, and I usually take
Speaker A
drinking it. And when paired with glutathione, the two together help increase collagen synthesis, so your skin naturally regains its elasticity and brightens up. So these are truly the big three, and I highly recommend everyone try them. Anti-aging and
Speaker A
them on an empty stomach in the morning, or before a workout, which works very well. This is truly for anyone with a belly; if no matter how you diet or exercise, that belly fat just won't go away, please, you must buy this; I’ve
Speaker A
their flavors are actually quite similar. This one is sweet and sour dried persimmon. Next is apple cider vinegar, which I take before meals.
Speaker A
already finished five or six boxes. It’s really effective, and this time after I actually stopped for a month, I realized my stomach really started popping out, then I started taking it again and it started trimming down.
Speaker A
Okay. So, how much does a typical lunch in Gangnam cost? At least 11,000 won.
Speaker A
I’m someone who doesn't exercise, so if you are a lazy person, you really need to take this. It’s quite tasty; my breakfast is just a cup of this, and this cup is 3,300 won. It’s a "Deep," which is just a bit stronger than a
Speaker A
Doenjang-jjigae set—my goodness, this used to be around 6,000 won ten years ago, but now it starts at 13,000. Not bad. Just walk down there and you'll hit Gangnam Station, and there's a restaurant right here. 1992 Galbi— what I think is great about this place
Speaker A
regular latte. Time to go to work then. I'm going to this FastFive. Actually, when I worked at a beauty company a few years ago, I was working at F. S5F. Wow, this floor is beautiful. This right here is a shared office. Things like
Speaker A
an egg. We need to take this before we eat. Here is the little red probiotic; I've actually been taking it for over four years. You take two packets a day, one before lunch and one before dinner.
Speaker A
the coffee machine are all for everyone to use. And this is the printer, also shared. There are many, many small rooms like this. Their lounge area. Let me show you all, because Dex is from their company. This is their seat. I
Speaker A
most effective probiotic they’ve ever had. I basically haven't gained weight since I started taking it. You can maintain your physique just by eating normally, and if you combine it with light dieting or exercise, you can lose weight very quickly. It has a sweet
Speaker A
don't know if you all remember this scene; about four years ago when I filmed a vlog, an office worker vlog, the layout was basically exactly the same; you can go back and look at those videos from back then. And now there
Speaker A
gain. But if you supplement with good bacteria, they will eat those obesity bacteria, stop bad bacteria from growing, and block fat production.
Speaker A
seem to be two more coffee machines; it's gotten a bit more upscale. Back then, I was looking for an office, so I asked around and went to see places; the rent here is actually very expensive. You see those tiny rooms,
Speaker A
such heavy, you know, carbohydrates. If you're eating out for a month, how much does it cost?
Speaker A
they cost two or three million a month. It's expensive, super expensive, and they're probably only for two or three people. But I think this place is great; it’s like having a perfect office space without needing to buy extra
Speaker A
At least 200,000 won. At least 200,000 won. And if you add dinner, it’s 500,000 won.
Speaker A
office equipment, so I think it's pretty good. When I just walked into the office, they asked why I look thinner and my face looks smaller. Do I? And I've gotten fairer too. I went to the US a while ago, and before I left,
Speaker A
Uh-huh. Office workers have to get coffee after a meal. I want to tell everyone how much Koreans love health supplements. You all probably know Olive Young, right? Actually, this store used to be Olive Young, and now it has become Olive Better. Olive
Speaker A
I was really worried about getting tanned and gaining weight, so I brought tons of supplements and took them very diligently, not missing a single pack.
Speaker A
This place is beautiful, and it's a cafe from the basement level all the way up, plus there's a rooftop. Drinks are around 7,000 to 8,000 won. Desserts are around 16,000 won. Wow. Wow.
Speaker A
Every day I would take blood orange extract and PDRN; I’ve introduced the blood orange extract many times, and I’ve been drinking it for years—it has a very high content of it. When I go out, nobody guesses I'm 36; everyone
Speaker A
That’s 40,000 won in total. Oh, a transparent, white tiramisu, interesting. Okay. Seems pretty okay.
Speaker A
thinks I'm in my 20s. I usually drink it with PDRN. Isn't there a very popular PDRN drink on the market lately? I drank it before, but after looking it up online, I found its ingredients weren't that pure, so I developed this
Speaker A
Last time in Taipei, I filmed a special on whether you can survive on minimum wage. Today, I'm asking them the same question: how much is the monthly rent?
Speaker A
PDRN version with them. It really is a golden ratio with high PDRN and protein content, so drinking it truly restores your skin's elasticity and gives it a glow. I think if you're going to drink something, you should drink what's
Speaker A
Near Konkuk University, I see. And how much is that? About 600,000 won. 600,000 won, but you have to add the management fees, so it probably comes to around 700,000 or 800,000 won if you're not in Gangnam.
Speaker A
actually effective. Besides being great for antioxidants and anti-fatigue, one of the biggest benefits of blood orange extract is that it helps burn fat, so it works really well when taken with probiotics. Like this trip to the US, not only did I not gain weight, I
Speaker A
About 800,000 won a month. 800,000 for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and coffee? And it includes eating out with friends .
Speaker A
actually lost some, and I also got fairer. Some people ask if drinking blood orange extract makes you fairer; it's actually because it has a high content of Vitamin C and other vitamins, so you naturally get fairer after
Speaker A
Yes, because I don't really drink coffee. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Do you meet with friends often? Occasionally.
Speaker A
drinking it. And when paired with glutathione, the two together help increase collagen synthesis, so your skin naturally regains its elasticity and brightens up. So these are truly the big three, and I highly recommend everyone try them. Anti-aging and
Speaker A
Twice a year. Twice a year. Yes. I'm about the same. Maybe once, the expensive kind. What about in Korea?
Speaker A
slowing down the aging process are lifelong pursuits. It's not that we don't want to age, but we want to age more beautifully—to grow old gracefully and elegantly. It's very easy to tear open, and it doesn't take up much space. It's grape-flavored, and
Speaker A
100,000. Yes, but in Korea, there's KPEX. Using KS. If you use 100,000 a month, there's a system that refunds about 40,000 to 50,000, so everyone uses it. All young people, yes. Everyone who takes the subway uses the pass. The Climate Card,
Speaker A
their flavors are actually quite similar. This one is sweet and sour dried persimmon. Next is apple cider vinegar, which I take before meals.
Speaker A
60,000. If you add it all up, it's close to 2 million. But I looked it up, and the starting salary is about 10 million. If you have that income, can you live in Seoul? Living in Seoul or living alone...It's difficult, a bit
Speaker A
It's a matcha-flavored jelly, and it's delicious. Lunchtime. We're going to eat now; did you pay for your lunch?
Speaker A
In your 30s? In your 30s? I think so too. In your 30s. Yes, when working, I think you get rewarded for the effort you put in. I don't think it's impossible.
Speaker A
Okay. So, how much does a typical lunch in Gangnam cost? At least 11,000 won.
Speaker A
The weather is super nice. I highly recommend everyone come here. Yeah. It's been too long since I've been in an office space like this. So sleepy, I'm going to have my third cup of coffee. And there's this syrup too. And
Speaker A
At least 11,000 won, yes. We are going to have tofu stew. This is really something office workers would eat; it looks delicious. But look, a set like this costs 13,500 won.
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beauty product is also like our number one seller. Suitable. Yeah. Gift. Since most of our customers are women, it's also targeted at women.
Speaker A
Women's health and menstruation. Menstruation, and also for people who exercise, most need protein supplements . Dinner gatherings, for example, eating dinner like this. How much is it usually?
Speaker A
For example, if we all eat together, we split the bill. Yeah. Yeah, 20,000 per person. If we don't drink.
Speaker A
If we don't drink, 20,000. But if you're drinking, 30,000, because one bottle of alcohol is 7,000.
Speaker A
Yeah, it's very expensive now. Okay, do you think the work pressure in Seoul is high? Super high. What's the reason?
Speaker A
Well, because there are already so many smart people in Seoul. Oh, and the competition is also very intense.
Speaker A
Yeah, there are people with better degrees than me, and more experience, too. I have to work several times harder to reach my goals.
Speaker A
Would you recommend that people come to work in Seoul? I would. I recommend it.
Speaker A
Yeah. So, do you think if you work hard in Seoul, you can achieve the results you want?
Speaker A
Oh. Oh, that's not bad. Since you have to work hard anyway, it's better to stay in a high-pressure place where your hard work at least pays off. How much do you need to earn at least? To live a relatively comfortable life in
Speaker A
Seoul or Gangnam? 3 million won. 3 million won a month. You mean at least that much? If you're living alone in Gangnam.
Speaker A
Without saving money? Saving a little bit, maybe. To save a little, at least 3 million won a month is okay. Dinner.
Speaker A
We just said young people don't drink, but now we're out and... Okay. We need to eat fried rice for our meal. So fattening, but you must have fried rice after Korean BBQ. Wow, we even ordered a small one. Gangnam
Speaker A
commercial street at night. Heading home after work. The office workers around here have had such a tiring day.
Speaker A
I think office workers really work hard , especially those working in Gangnam. And, I calculated today's expenses, from breakfast to dinner it was 52,900 won, plus transportation costs. It's really as they said, if you're very frugal with food costs a month, maybe
Speaker A
600,000 won, but if you eat and drink normally, plus some social dinners, I think monthly food costs will hit 800,000 won. I think food costs are one of the harder things to save money on, because the average cost of food in
Speaker A
Korea is really quite high. And for transportation, this is the first time I've heard of the K-Pass; the government refunds part of your monthly transportation costs. But there's an age limit, it seems after 34, some benefits decrease, so many fresh
Speaker A
graduates use it. Today I happened to interview some fresh graduates and people who have been in the workforce for a while. There are relative hardships, but they feel that Seoul is a city where you get rewarded as long
Speaker A
as you work hard. I also asked them what they thought was necessary for a better, more comfortable life in Seoul; those born in 2000 feel that an annual salary of at least 50 million won, or 3.7 million won per month, is needed.
Speaker A
Because taxes in Korea are actually quite high, what you actually take home isn't the same as your gross annual salary. When I had that annual salary, over 20%or 30%was deducted for taxes, so my take-home pay was less than when
Speaker A
I earned over 40 million. On the other hand, those who have been in the workforce longer think that 3 million won in Seoul is enough to live quite well and save a little, but 3 million won is actually 70,000 NTD. Getting
Speaker A
back to today's topic, you know, if you're on minimum wage, is it really possible to survive in Gangnam, Seoul?
Speaker A
Personally, I don't think it's possible because with 2.16 million won, you still have to pay taxes; I think you need at least 2.5 million won or more.
Speaker A
Or maybe, as they said, at least 3 million won. Anyway, experiencing office life again after such a long time reminded me of my own days working a regular job. When I first came to Korea, I really couldn't save any money
Speaker A
at all. Back then, the exchange rate wasn't like it is now, it was 1 to 35, but you earn in won and live in Korea, so everyone just wants to get by. If it were you, how much would you need to
Speaker A
earn to be willing to work in Seoul? As office workers, you have to spend where it's necessary, and they are very willing to spend money on health supplements; after all, if you want to make it in the workplace, having a
Speaker A
healthy body is also very important. I’ve also managed to secure a very, very special discount this time since the Chuseok holiday just ended. If you need to restock or want to take advantage of this sale to hoard some
Speaker A
items, I'll put the details in the description box. After experiencing this for a whole day, I suddenly feel that everyone, whether in Taiwan or Korea, really has a hard time making a living. So, all you budget-conscious folks, make sure to stock up while
Speaker A
there's a discount. If there are any video topics you’d like to see me film next time, feel free to leave a comment and let me know. We’ll see you in the next video, bye-bye.
Topics:GangnamSeoulcost of livingKorean salariesoffice worker lifetransportation costsminimum wage Koreadaily expensesco-working spaceKorean lifestyle
