When discussing moving with students in my Korean class, I noticed many differences between Korea and other countries. The unique Korean moving culture is always a fun topic. So today, I thought I’d introduce you to some of these unique aspects. It might be fun to compare it to the moving traditions in your country as you read along!
Professional Moving Services and the Korean Ladder Truck
One of the biggest differences in Korean moving culture is the way household items are handled. In Korea, everything is moved—all furniture, appliances, and belongings are packed up and moved to the new home.
In contrast, I learned that in some other countries, people often leave behind their large furniture and appliances, taking only their personal items when they move. When buying or selling a house, the price often includes these items.
In Korea, since most people live in high-rise apartments, the Korean ladder truck (사다리차, sadaricha) is essential. On moving day, a team from the moving company (이사짐 센터, isatjim senteo) arrives early in the morning with one. They quickly and skillfully pack all your belongings into boxes and lower them down from the window or balcony using the ladder truck. It’s impressive to watch the movers pack everything so precisely, cutting and fitting boxes around each item, adding padding for protection.
Once everything is packed up and loaded onto the truck, your apartment is completely empty. For those who have lived in the home for a long time, seeing the empty space can bring back memories and leave you with a bittersweet feeling.
Deep Cleaning Before Moving In (입주청소)
The new home you’re moving into will also be completely empty by the time you arrive. A day or two before moving in, Koreans usually hire a professional cleaning service for what’s called “입주청소” (ipju cheongso), or “move-in cleaning.”
This isn’t a simple wipe-down. The cleaning company thoroughly cleans and disinfects every corner of the new house, from the inside of ventilation shafts and light fixtures to steam-cleaning the floors and removing construction dust from inside every cabinet. The goal is to make it feel as clean as a brand-new home. There’s something deeply satisfying about walking into a spotless house, knowing it’s ready for you to start fresh.
The Unofficial Tradition: Korean Moving Day Food
Here’s a part of Korean moving culture you might have seen in K-dramas. What is the one meal everyone eats on moving day? Jjajangmyeon (짜장면), or black bean noodles.
This tradition is purely practical, but it’s universally followed.
- It’s Easy: On moving day, your kitchen is completely packed. The last thing you want to do is find pots, pans, and utensils to cook.
- It’s Fast: Jjajangmyeon is the original Korean delivery food. You can call, and a restaurant will deliver hot, delicious bowls within 15-20 minutes.
- It’s Clean: It’s a one-bowl meal. You eat it (often sitting on the floor or on moving boxes) and put the empty, unwashed bowls back outside your door for the restaurant to pick up. You don’t get your brand-new, freshly cleaned kitchen dirty on day one.
It’s a fun, communal meal shared with the moving team and family, a perfect “job well done” reward. This is a classic piece of Korean moving day food culture.
Housewarming in Korea (집들이)
After settling in, it’s common to invite friends or family over for a meal, a tradition known as “집들이” (jipdeuri), or a housewarming in Korea. This is especially common for newlyweds moving into their first home together.
The Meaning of Korean Housewarming Gifts
There’s a fun custom where guests bring Korean housewarming gifts like toilet paper or laundry detergent. Many of my foreign students found this amusing! While the exact origin isn’t clear, these gifts are both practical and symbolic.
- Toilet Paper (휴지, hyuji): The symbolism comes from the way the paper rolls out. The gift represents a wish for the new homeowners’ lives and fortunes to “roll out smoothly” and without trouble (일이 술술 풀리다, iri sulsul pullida).
- Laundry Detergent (세제, seje): The symbolism here is in the bubbles. The bubbles represent a wish for “bubbling” wealth, prosperity, and good fortune in the new home.
Of course, these gifts are also incredibly practical, as they are items every new home needs.
The Fading Traditions
➤ Koreans seem to move more frequently than people in other countries for various reasons, which has led to the development of a well-organized moving and cleaning service industry.
While housewarming in Korea remains a beloved tradition, other customs like offering rice cakes or small gifts to new neighbors have started to fade as people (especially in high-rise apartments) have less interaction with their neighbors.
Is the Korean moving culture different from what you’re used to? Feel free to share your thoughts!
