A Residence for Diplomats and Expatriate Executives in Hannam — Hillside Residence
Working with Jin
A few steps up from Hannam-daero, low buildings sit scattered among the pines, and the sound of traffic gives way, almost without notice, to birdsong. It is one of the few places in Seoul where “living in a forest in the middle of the city” is not an exaggeration.
I introduce Hillside Residence to international clients often, and for a simple reason. The people who have lived here have been consistently satisfied, and what they valued was never the finishes. It was the air, the distance from the street, and the way the building is managed.
At a Glance
| Address | 54 Hannam-daero 36-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul |
| Scale | 5 buildings, 49 residences |
| Completed | May 2005 |
| Floor area ratio / Site coverage | 57% / 17% |
| Parking | 75 spaces, outdoor |
| Unit mix | Mainly 60 to 80 pyeong family residences, a small number of studio units, units with connecting rooms, and some with private terraces |
The floor area ratio of 57 percent explains most of the character of this place. Only a fraction of what the land could legally hold has been built; the rest has been left to pine and garden. With just 49 households, you rarely pass anyone on the paths.
Forty-Nine Homes, Few of Them Alike
The number of households is small, but the range of layouts is wide. Most residences are family-sized, between 60 and 80 pyeong (roughly 200 to 265 square metres in supply area), and some open directly from the living room onto a private terrace.
There are also a small number of studio units. For an executive on a solo posting or a shorter assignment, they offer the same setting and the same standard of management without the need for a large home.
Some residences include a connecting room. It allows a visiting parent, a live-in helper or frequent guests to stay close while keeping a degree of separation from the main living space, which is useful for international families with a slightly more complex household.
In practice, this range is an advantage. A family can match the home to its size, the length of its stay and the company’s housing allowance by choosing a different unit, without having to choose a different address.
Living Against the Forest
A trail entrance to Maebongsan sits inside the grounds. A few minutes from your front door, you are on a timber deck among the pines. Namsan Park is also within walking distance, so morning walks and runs fall naturally into the day.
I remember that residents with dogs were especially fond of this place. The open outdoor space, the trail at the edge of the grounds and the unhurried atmosphere all suit life with a dog. The grounds also include a barbecue area, an outdoor basketball court and exercise facilities.
From the upper units, the view opens over Hannam-dong to the ridgeline of Namsan. In the terrace residences, the living room glass gives straight onto outdoor space, and the seasons come into daily life.
Hannam on Foot
The forest setting does not mean isolation. Across the road is the Blue Square performance hall, and the Comme des Garçons street and the Leeum Museum of Art are within walking distance. Itaewon is an easy walk as well.
Just below the residence is Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, and groceries are close at hand at Gourmet 494 Hannam in Nine One Hannam. Having culture, medical care and daily essentials nearby gives a family settling into Seoul more reassurance than one might expect.
Why Diplomats and Executives Choose It
Hannam-dong is home to many embassies, ambassadors’ residences and official government residences. Security in the neighbourhood is excellent, and with a large international community, foreign residents rarely feel out of place.
What I value most, from a practical standpoint, is how the property is managed. A professional facility management company handles both the building and the leasing. When something small breaks or a system needs attention, the tenant does not have to chase the owner; the management company takes care of it. For tenants who are not comfortable in Korean, this makes a great difference to daily life, and it is the main reason residents describe the management as clean and reliable.
Parking is outdoors. The site is generous, however, and the spaces are widely set, so parking is rarely an inconvenience in practice.
What to Know Before You Decide
Describing only the good points is not how I work, so here are the things worth weighing before signing.
There is no underground parking. On rainy or snowy days, you will walk outside for a moment between the car and the entrance.
The residential buildings have no elevators. The buildings are low, but families who move heavy items often, or for whom stairs are difficult, should choose the building and floor with care.
For a convenience store or grocery, you will need to walk a little beyond the grounds. Consider it the price of the quiet.
Rental Reference
As of the second half of 2026, monthly rents for 66 to 68 pyeong residences are generally in the range of a KRW 60 million to 80 million deposit with KRW 10 million to 12 million per month. Actual terms vary with the floor, orientation, terrace, interior condition and lease conditions.
A Closing Note
Hillside Residence does not make a striking first impression. Yet those who have lived here for a few months tend to say the same things: the morning air is different, the way home is quiet, and the house asks for less of their attention.
For anyone in Hannam who puts the texture of daily life ahead of height or a famous name, it is a place I would quietly recommend.
Quiet Property · Jin Kong
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