Living in Yeonnam: How a Turkish Creator Made Seoul Feel Like Home

Defne is a 22-year-old content creator from Türkiye. She makes travel and lifestyle videos, and sometimes comedy too. She is also a law student back home. The idea behind her work is simple: she wants to make people smile, especially when they are having a hard time. She visits Korea often, and after working with Cove Korea, she plans to come even more.

When Defne travels, she does not want to feel like a tourist. She wants to feel like she really lives there. That is why she chose Cove Yeonnam, a co-living house close to Hongdae.

A room with character

Defne stayed in Room 309, and she liked it right away. It felt cozy and complete. It was not an empty rental. It had a small lamp, a couch to sit on, and nice little details. Most of all, it felt like a real home, almost like a student's room.

"It gave me a student-dorm vibe, like I was actually a student living there. I don't go to school here in Korea, but staying at Cove let me experience what that might feel like. And I really loved that."

Why Seoul, why Yeonnam

Defne already has many friends in Seoul, so the city feels familiar, not like a holiday. It also reminds her of Istanbul, where she grew up. Both are big, busy cities. She has been to Busan too, but she likes Seoul more.

Cove gave her what she wanted: the feeling of really living somewhere.

"It's that feeling of actually living somewhere, rather than just staying."

Yeonnam was the perfect area. It is close to Hongdae, and she loves the local feel. The location also helped her work. She films a lot, so good light is important, and the room had it. Outside, there are many cafes. Some are open 24 hours, which is great for studying late.

Comfortable and safe

For Defne, a good home away from home means two things: comfort and safety.

"It's a place where you feel comfortable and safe. Cove checked both of those boxes completely."

The room felt comfortable from the first night. The neighborhood felt safe too. She could walk alone at night without worry, and that is not always easy to find. It made her whole trip more relaxed.

What every Cove resident gets

Defne's stay came with the same things every Cove room offers. Each room is fully furnished, so you do not need to buy anything on your first day. The staff speak both Korean and English, which makes daily life easier for people from other countries. The deposit is low, so you do not need a lot of money to move in. You can stay for less than a month, or for more than six. You also live with neighbors from many countries, so it works for both short and long stays.

Her advice for the next traveler

Her main tip is about location. Think about where you will spend most of your time, then choose the Cove branch near it.

"If you're planning to spend a lot of time in Hongdae, Yeonnam is the perfect base. It's close, it's charming, and it just makes everything easier."

For Defne, Yeonnam gave her the Seoul she loves: close to everything, easy to live in, and safe enough to feel like home.

Cove Yeonnam is a co-living residence in Mapo-gu, Seoul, near Hongdae. Want to see the space Defne stayed in? Explore Cove Yeonnam.