Heart of Seoul.Your stay at this Jongno-gu hostel places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Myeongdong Street and Gwanghwamun. Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace are also within 3 miles (5 km).
A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. There's an onsite business center. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee. Multilingual staff, tour/ticket assistance, and concierge services are also featured at the business-friendly Hostel Korea Original. You'll have access to the outdoor pool at a partner property.
This Seoul hostel is smoke free.
1 building
33 guestrooms or units
Business facilities
Self-service laundry
Front desk (limited hours)
Express check-in
Express check-out
Staff is multilingual
Storage area for luggage
Front-desk safe
Tour and ticket information
Concierge
Television in lobby
No smoking on site
Microwave in a common area
Refrigerator in a common area
Water dispenser
Hostel Korea Original offers 33 accommodations with fireplaces and slippers. Rooms open to balconies. Accommodations offer separate dining areas and include desks. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers and hair dryers.
Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Cable television is provided. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Russian, Thai
Property amenities
Family friendly
Access to nearby outdoor pool
Laundry facilities
Refrigerator
Separate dining area
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
No onsite parking available
24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
Airport shuttle on request
Things to do
Access to nearby outdoor pool
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
This property does not have elevators
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Room amenities
Entertainment
Cable channels
TV
Bedroom
Bed sheets
Heating
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Towels
Food and drink
Dining room
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
More
Desk
Electrical adapters/chargers
Fireplace
Guidebooks/recommendations
Heated floors
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Laptop-friendly workspace
Laundry detergent
Local maps
Slippers
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: KRW 1000
Express check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 2:00 AM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are available for KRW 6000.0 per day.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Airport shuttle fee: KRW 45000 per vehicle (one-way)
Late check-out fee: KRW 1000 (subject to availability)
Rollaway bed fee: KRW 6000.0 per day
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, Union Pay, Carte Blanche, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation.
National rating
For the benefit of our customers, we have provided a rating based on our rating system.
Property is also known as
Hostel Korea Original Seoul
Korea Hostel
Korea Original Seoul
Hostel Korea Original Seoul
Hostel Korea Original Guesthouse
Hostel Korea Original Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Hostel Korea Original Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Seoul
Hostel Korea Original Reviews
Reviews
7.2
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Very nice for the cost! Inexpensive place to sleep and leave my bags in a central area it was easy to see so much of Seoul. The place was quiet and nothing was too dirty. Would absolutely stay here again!
First, this hotel is hard to find even if you have Google Maps. Then, there is often no front desk staff. Then it is DIRTY. I am actually concerned about whether this place meets fire codes.
Here was my big problem: the wifi died in my room. I was told by a staff member that I just had to accept that - people in another room had possibly done something to the router.
Because I need wifi for work, I rebooked to another hostel. I expected Hostel Korea to return my fees for the days I did not stay there. They promised wifi, I was told I could not have it, and I had to find a place where I could do work.
First a guy agreed in writing to refund my fees, then he refused to pay me. It was crazy. Poor moody guy.
So I am assuming that if a person has trouble here, the person will not be helped and if he/she leaves to find a more responsible hostel, the person will not receive a refund even if the owner/manager initially agrees.
Furthermore, Expedia will do nothing to help you. So this is it for Expedia. I'll use another service.
I know this hostel is cheap and many of us are on a budget, but I do not think it would be wise to go into a dirty place where they may just not help you and you will feel forced to move anyway.
Tyere is a really nice hostel called Sunrise Inn Dongdaemun very close by. They will treat you with respect there and it is CLEAN.
It's great value. Clean. Private room. There's no one at the front desk until later in the afternoon, so don't lock yourself out of the room early on a Sunday morning.
Cheap place to stay. They didn't have the double bed we reserved so put in a twin room. Hot rooms no A/C. Toilets and shower are in the same small room so needs cleaning frequently which does not seem to happen. Kitchen is alright nothing special. Found used floss sticks on the desk upon entry to the room as well which questioned the cleanliness. Good location, close to metro and markets.
Honestly, I don't even know if this place breaches and safety violations seeing how filthy it is. The filth is very evident in all the molds on the wall/floor/bedsheet/furniture/bathroom and stench. I understand that this is a budget hostel but it's very rundown and I was questioning the whole time if this place can pass living condition inspections. I wouldn't recommend this place. Either find somewhere else or top up a bit of money and get a cheap hotel.
This place is definitely cheap which is great, but the building is a little rundown and the bathrooms were very unkept.
Laura
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
6/10 Okay
kristy
6 Apr 2023
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The location is convenient, close to underground. Around 15 mins if walking to Dongdaemun.
The room especially the toilet is smelly even not in use for a day.
Although brief, we had an amazing stay in Hostel Korea. Seoul was beautiful and the hostel was brilliant value for money and very comfortable with great facilities
An average hostel, suitable for travellers (students) on a tight budget. Convenient location and helpful staff. Located in a quiet area with easy access to public transport.
The room was clean and simple, the owner was very kind and helpful and the other guests were pleasant. However the provided breakfast during our stay was very scarce, only toast and jam.
Verified traveller
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2018
8/10 Good
Emilyann
2 Aug 2018
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Hostel Korea
The area that this Hostel is located in is very convenient. You are close to Dangdaemun Shopping mall, Dongmyo Station, Imperial Palace, local food shops, and much more. Beds are comfortable and overall clean. Bathrooms are a little sketchy, but this place is such a great deal! So cheap. Highly recommend for anyone staying a week or less or just looking to save a lot of money. Helpful and nice service as well!
No air con when i came at May,its a bit hot at day time
But overall i think its good,next time if i go Korea alone i will choose this hostel again!
Yam
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018
8/10 Good
Lucy
25 Mar 2018
Liked: Room comfort
On the most part it was clean and the bedroom was good. We went to check in from 1 pm as hotels.com said but they said this was wrong and it's from 3pm so we had to wait over an hour in their cold outdoor common area. The shower and toilet is also one room which was very strange and not a good arrangement for use. The shared kitchen area was small and dirty.
Close to subway station
Friendly staff will guide you.
The rooms are cozy and warm.
It is convenient to have a convenience store nearby.
I always want to use it when I come to Seoul.