Beyond the shantytown of Guryong Village, located in the most expensive area of Gangnam, Seoul, the luxury apartment complex Tower Palace can be seen.Mr. Choi Se-sik is watching TV in his Goshiwon room. Goshiwon is a type of temporary housing facility that is not officially recognized as a residential space. The rooms are extremely small, and the walls are so thin that sounds from adjacent rooms can be clearly heard.Kim, who lives in Goshiwon Village in Daehak-dong, Seoul, has a corner of his room occupied by a spring mattress he found on the street, providing him with comfort.Mr. Park, who has become isolated after failing the judicial examination, lives in a room in a Gosiwon (exam preparation boarding house) in Daehak-dong, Gwanak District, Seoul. He leads a life cut off from family and friends. His room is cluttered with unpacked boxes and unthrown garbage.A middle-aged resident of the jjokbangchon lights a cigarette in his room.A man who once engaged in peace activism now confines himself in a small room within a goshiwon, cutting off communication with the outside world. His room is filled with unknown records, connecting him to his own personal channels of communication.A nameless tombstone for someone who died alone, unclaimed by anyone. This is the burial site for those who died in Korea without any known relatives.A ‘Goshiwon’ in Yeongdeungpo, where someone quietly met their end alone, their death only discovered due to the foul odor. A goshiwon is a type of residence, but it is so small that an adult can barely stretch their legs. Most have shared bathrooms. The term "goshiwon" combines "goshi," which refers to national exams, and "won," meaning facility. Initially, these spaces were primarily inhabited by people preparing for national exams. However, nowadays, goshiwons have become a symbol of poverty, as they offer cheap accommodation without a deposit.he alleyway of a building filled with over a dozen single-room units is just wide enough for one adult to pass. The building manager’s pet dog makes its way through the narrow path.A room in a jjokbang village, occupied by an elderly man, is plastered with pornographic photos. These jjokbang, often less than a single pyeong in size, are located in neighborhoods perceived as gathering places for the impoverished and the failed.Ham Hak-jun, who lived a life estranged from family, applied to the district office for arrangements following his death. Preparing for his passing, he kept several framed memorial photos provided through volunteer services on the wall above his bed.Mr. Kim, who passed away alone, had his face photographed for administrative records in case any family might come searching. Without a formal funeral, he was taken directly to the crematory.A dim light filtered through the window beside the shared cooking area in the jjokbang. Without personal cooking facilities, residents rely on communal spaces that are often under-equipped.
