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Hostel Korea Original

1.0 star property
Hostel near Dongdaemun History and Culture Park in Seoul

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Photo gallery for Hostel Korea Original

Fridge, microwave
Front of property
Staircase
Staircase
Triple Room, Shared Bathroom | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
20-12, Jong-ro 65-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Seoul, 110-863
  • Place, Dongmyo Shrine
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Cheonggyecheon
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Korea University
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Seoul (GMP-Gimpo Intl.)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Single Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A)

Single Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A) | View from room

Single Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A)

  • 86 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Single Room, Private Bathroom (Type B)

Single Room, Private Bathroom (Type B) | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room, Private Bathroom (Type B)

  • 86 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Twin Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A)

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A) | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom (Type A)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 97 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Twin Room, Private Bathroom (Type B)

Twin Room, Private Bathroom (Type B) | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room, Private Bathroom (Type B)

  • 97 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

  • 107 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Double Room, Shared Bathroom | Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • 97 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Twin Room A (Shared Bathroom)

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room A (Shared Bathroom)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Single Room A (Shared Bathroom)

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room A (Shared Bathroom)

  • Sleeps 1
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Twin Room B (Private Bathroom)

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin Room B (Private Bathroom)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

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About the neighborhood

Seoul

Heart of Seoul.Your stay at this Jongno-gu hostel places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park and Myeongdong Street. Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Hostels in SeoulOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Dongmyo Shrine - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Cheonggyecheon - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Korea University - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Dongdaemun Market Mall - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Dongdaemun History and Culture Park - 8 min drive - 1.2 miles

Getting around

  • Sinseol-dong Station - 5 min walk
  • Seoul Station - 16 min drive
  • Incheon Intl. Airport (ICN) - 72 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco!-Querer! - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪육전국밥 - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪마실정육식당 - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪EDIYA COFFEE - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Frank Burger - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Hostel Korea Original

Hostel near Dongdaemun History and Culture Park in Seoul
A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. There's an onsite business center. Free breakfast is available daily. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee. Multilingual staff, tour/ticket assistance, and concierge services are also featured at 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
  • Buffet breakfast (free)
  • 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 slippers and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered on request and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Similar properties

Hallway
Hostel Metro
Dongdaemun-gu
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
  • Laundry
  • Soundproof rooms
2.7 out of 5, 137 reviews
$21 nightly
The price is $23
Jun 30 - Jul 1
Total with taxes and fees
Hostel Metro

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Access to nearby outdoor pool
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities

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 on request for a surcharge

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool (guest access)
  • TV in common areas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Refrigerator
  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heated floor
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laundry detergent

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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 and a smoke detector
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

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

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

Frequently asked questions

How close is Hostel Korea Original to the airport?

Hostel Korea Original is 21.5 mi (61-min drive) away from the Gimpo Intl. Airport (GMP) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Hostel Korea Original have an airport shuttle?

Hostel Korea Original offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of KRW 45000 per vehicle, one-way.

Does Hostel Korea Original offer free breakfast?

Hostel Korea Original offers free buffet breakfast every day from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Is there a casino at Hostel Korea Original?

No, there is no casino at this hostel, but Seven Luck Casino Millennium Seoul Hilton Branch (6-min drive) and Seven Luck Casino Seoul Gangnam Branch (10-min drive) are nearby.

What time is check-in at Hostel Korea Original?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at Hostel Korea Original?

Free parking is not available at this hostel.

Does Hostel Korea Original have a pool?

Hostel Korea Original features outdoor pool access.

Does Hostel Korea Original have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hostel.

How close is Hostel Korea Original to downtown Seoul?

Hostel Korea Original is 2.4 mi away from Seoul.

Hostel Korea Original Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 339 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 135 out of 339 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 85 out of 339 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 339 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 31 out of 339 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

elena

Clean and tidy place. Its okay for a few days..
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Saleh

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty 🙁
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Israel, Baltimore

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

2/10 Terrible

Samson

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We did not check in at this location. The rooms were noticably dirty and smelly. Insects were visible and sheets were stained. An alternative room had similar problems with smells and cleanliness. Hotel management continues to be evasive and has not responded to Expedia requests for a refund. Will be escalating my complaints.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Laura

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Carlos

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Affordable & small rooms but worth it

Stayed in small room in property that includes TV & twin bed. Good for solo traveler. Bathrooms have toilets & showers in same room. Good location about 5 minute walk from subway & airport bus.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

James

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Please buy a normal hotel room not this
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Julian

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Do not stay here

I am appalled that this property remains open and is even an option for anyone to stay in. To begin with, there were no staff to help us check in or out despite assurances to a 24 hour desk. They lost our booking and insisted it did not exist and forced us to wait in the middle the night despite the booking being confirmed and accurate. When we were finally given a room it was so filthy that we left within 20 minutes and were forced to book a more expensive hotel. Bugs crawling over the floor, clearly unwashed sheets that were strained and had hairs on them, mould on the walls and ceiling fan. There’s budget travel and then there’s this. You don’t get what you pay for. You receive a health hazard. When we left, there was no one at the desk to help us check out and the front door was left wide open.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachariah

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Daniel

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Gabriel Luis

Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

Yong

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy access to rail and bus stations. Lots of restaurants nearby.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

4/10 Poor

Cheuk Chung

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Steven

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Sam

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Jelena

Good location. Scruffy, but quiet
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Entica Narciso, Singapore

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Laura

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This place is definitely cheap which is great, but the building is a little rundown and the bathrooms were very unkept.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

kristy

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.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Staff & service
Fleas
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Short but excellent!

It was a short but amazing. The room was being upgraded as the reservation was overlapped with other guest. Great job!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020