Humans of Yonsei

When imagining a good place to live, most people envision well-equipped amenities, stylish interiors, or beautifully landscaped apartment complexes. In Korea, homes are often viewed as real estate investments—assets to be relied upon later in life. However, the concept of a "home" is multifaceted. It is where people live, which makes it intrinsically tied to life itself. Beyond being a physical space, a home exists within the context of life and lifestyle. Its value and purpose must be understood holistically, integrating its role as a physical structure, its connection to society, and its place within a community. Choi Ryung, an alumna of the Department of Housing Studies, has been exploring and promoting this fundamental value of a home as a "foundation of life" since the 1980s—a time when the concept of residential environments was not yet deeply rooted in Korea. Through her efforts, she has driven change in how housing is perceived.

So, what does a good home mean to her?

The Deeper the Learning, the Greater the Fulfillment

When Choi entered university, Housing Studies (now Interior Architecture and Built Environment) was a relatively unfamiliar field in Korea. At first glance, many might think it is simply about designing houses. However, Housing Studies explores the relationship between living environments and people, encompassing planning, design, operation, and management. Choi, who pioneered Korea's housing environment field by introducing advanced examples and trying new approaches, initially had little information about the field and only vague expectations.

“Like anyone else, I’ve always been interested in the house I live in. Plus, my brother was a Yonsei graduate, so I dreamed of attending this university from a young age. I had an interest in houses, but back then, the field of Housing Studies felt unfamiliar. At first, I wondered if it was about making houses look pretty. But once I started studying, I realized housing is essentially the foundation of life. It’s a field that explores what a foundation of life truly means, viewing space as a vessel for life. The more I studied, the more fascinating it became.”

As Choi’s interest in her studies grew, she began to think about her career path around the second semester of her sophomore year. Having been active as a producer at Yonsei Educational Broadcasting System (YBS) since her freshman year, she thoroughly enjoyed her work and had to decide between a career in broadcasting and one in her major. After much deliberation, she chose to pursue a career in her field of study, driven by her growing passion for Housing Studies. This decision ultimately led her to pursue her studies in Japan.

“Housing Studies encompasses various fields, blending concepts of design and architecture. It requires practical skills, and many pursue careers in those areas. However, I was more drawn to analyzing, generating ideas, and planning rather than hands-on tasks. I enjoyed asking fundamental questions related to life, which made my studies all the more engaging. Naturally, I decided to pursue a career in my major.”

After graduation, Choi worked for about a year at an office furniture company, focusing on designing furniture and optimizing spatial composition. However, she felt her dreams were slipping further away. At the time, it was common for women to marry shortly after graduation, which added to her concerns. Nevertheless, she chose to follow her passion, turning her academic interests into a pursuit of self-fulfillment.

“After much deliberation, I decided to study abroad in Japan, enrolling at Nara Women’s University, renowned for its expertise in Housing Studies. I started my research in a lab specializing in seniors and children. At the time, Korea had little focus on these groups, but Japan, already an aging society, was conducting various trials and had visible examples to study. That’s when I began delving into housing and environments for seniors, researching nursing homes, which are comparable to Korea’s silver towns. I had numerous opportunities to deepen my knowledge, including observing life at nursing homes firsthand and writing research papers. Such an issue was much more tangible and real to me.”

A Pioneer in Housing Studies and Universal Design in Korea

Immersed in the joy of learning and research, Choi married a fellow alumnus she met through her time at Yonsei Educational Broadcasting System (YBS) after ten years of relationship. After completing her doctorate, she returned to teach and conduct research at Yonsei University while also sharing her experiences from studying abroad through external lectures. In Korea, where advanced concepts of housing studies were not yet fully established academically or socially, Choi played a pioneering role in introducing and expanding the field.

“After returning to Korea, I worked with professors and peers at Yonsei to expand research into universal design. Yonsei was one of the first institutions in Korea to conduct in-depth research in this area, which remains a great source of pride for me. During my time in Japan, I saw universal design applied not only in housing but across various industries. I encountered numerous examples of how this concept was used to improve senior living environments. Inspired by those changes, we began implementing similar innovations in Korea.”

Choi worked tirelessly to raise awareness of universal design and housing environments for seniors and children through countless lectures and research initiatives. She founded the Institute for Living Environment Studies to develop practical projects that could be applied in real life. Many of her pioneering efforts continue to serve as a solid foundation for researchers and policymakers.

“In collaboration with Gyeonggi Province, I helped create guidelines for applying universal design to different environments and participated in training programs for stakeholders. I also developed guidelines for welfare facilities such as senior care centers and daycare centers in Seoul. With the growing issues of low birth rates and an aging population, I authored a book on designing environments for children. Raising my child allowed me to directly experience housing issues, and I realized that child-friendly housing designs and neighborhood planning could address many of these problems.”

In 2020, Choi became the inaugural director of the Seoul Universal Design Center. She led various projects to create thoughtful urban spaces, such as restrooms and baby care facilities, which enhanced everyday life by combining convenience and emotional comfort. Her efforts have seamlessly integrated into the fabric of daily life, improving quality of life in tangible ways.

Choi continues to advocate for better awareness of housing environments. As the founder of the housing consulting firm “Consulting Lab EL,” she actively engages in planning, consulting, and lectures across diverse fields.

“To change the world, you need influence. With the right mindset, anyone can transform a space into something meaningful and valuable. It’s not just about creating a functional space—it’s about adding insightful design that benefits many people and brings significant change. While these ideas may seem obvious, they’re often overlooked in reality. I want to restore what should be obvious and make it the norm.”

Value-Oriented Research That Addresses Real-World Problems and Supports the Vulnerable

The changes in the lives of people Choi encountered while forging new paths naturally became a source of pride and fulfillment for her. Her continued dedication to researching and improving senior living environments grew stronger over time. In Korea, silver towns are often considered ideal places for retirees to enjoy a comfortable life after retirement. However, these paid senior living facilities are often expensive and perceived as exclusive spaces for the wealthy.

Choi recalled feeling disillusioned after writing her first thesis on senior living environments, questioning whether her energy should be spent studying spaces accessible only to the affluent. However, after returning to Korea, she interacted with professors who had established senior homes focused on supporting vulnerable groups. These interactions reinforced her belief in the positive impact well-designed spaces can have.

“Seeing examples of senior homes for the socially vulnerable convinced me that well-designed living environments could make seniors’ later years more comfortable and happier. Such spaces could also overcome society’s stigma toward senior facilities. For instance, if a senior home included a beautiful dining area, it could attract not only seniors but also others in the community, creating natural integration within the neighborhood. There are also examples of small-scale care units for dementia patients, accommodating eight to twelve residents. Expanding such spaces benefits both the state and individuals. Knowing that the work I do holds such value brings me great satisfaction. Research without real-world application just doesn’t spark joy, don’t you think?” (laughs)

Through her value-driven research, Choi found meaning in creating truly impactful spaces. One project particularly memorable to her was a rural housing environment transformation initiative. Her efforts to improve housing for seniors and children caught the attention of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which sought her advice on improving living conditions in aging rural communities. This provided her with opportunities to explore various rural environments and spurred her desire to raise awareness and drive changes in rural housing. Her passion for creating “better spaces” naturally led to initiatives that addressed the neglected housing environments in rural areas.

“In a way, rural areas represent the future of cities. Over time, urban areas have expanded by absorbing capital and human resources from rural areas, leaving rural communities neglected and abandoned. I wanted to study and consult on how we could make rural environments more desirable, comfortable, and less marginalized—and take the lead in driving these changes. Instead of focusing solely on homes, I prioritized building community facilities, such as care centers for children and cultural spaces for residents to connect. One child, for example, had to travel an hour to the city just to buy a cocoa drink. Wouldn’t a modest café within the village suffice? The key was to naturally integrate spaces for interaction within the community. This approach became the core of the ‘Rural Center Activation Project,’ which I worked on for about eight years. Over time, I witnessed firsthand how residents’ lives changed, and the positive feedback exceeded my expectations. After the project was completed, one resident remarked, ‘Doesn’t this place feel like a sophisticated suburban neighborhood now?’ Hearing that made me feel so fulfilled. It was exactly why I wanted to transform that space.”

Having participated in about ten rural housing-related projects, Choi has consistently focused on the value that residents feel rather than quantitative outcomes. For Choi, engaging in value-oriented work has been the most meaningful achievement of her career.

Homes for Aging: A Community-Connected Resource

Choi, a trailblazer in housing environment studies and universal design in Korea, is now working to conclude her career by setting the stage for the next generation of researchers.

“In the field of universal design, it is critical to formalize its integration into our society through legislation, enabling future scholars to conduct diverse research and applications in a supportive environment. Those of us who have led the way must establish this foundation. To this end, I am continuously seeking cooperation from government institutions and the National Assembly. With legal backing, the government can guide policy development, which, in turn, can foster an ecosystem where private companies become actively involved. Additionally, I aim to propose new concepts and directions for senior housing in the context of a super-aged society. Currently, apartments are seen more as financial assets than as homes—people’s living spaces. I want to challenge this perception and promote the idea of housing as a sanctuary where seniors can enjoy a comfortable and dignified life.”

Ultimately, Choi envisions senior housing as an extension of the community. Instead of constructing more silver towns, she advocates for enabling seniors to live happily and conclude their lives in the homes and communities where they’ve always belonged. This reflects her answer to the question, “Where should we live when we grow old?”

“Well-connected housing within a community can offer seniors a safe and comfortable environment. Rather than isolating the elderly in unfamiliar places like remote islands, we should create systems that allow them to remain active within their local communities. Living in the neighborhoods they’ve always known—where they frequented familiar stores and met familiar people—while staying connected to the larger community is ideal. For this, it’s essential to link national care and support services with private companies’ senior services, creating a fully integrated ecosystem. The issue isn’t a lack of resources; it’s the absence of a system that connects these resources. For example, seniors could even participate in childcare within their local community, fostering intergenerational bonds. There’s also potential for collaboration with local healthcare providers and other community resources. Most importantly, we need to recognize that everyone deserves an environment where they can age gracefully. This should be a consideration from the very beginning of the housing design process.”

Choi stresses that creating homes where children can thrive, seniors can age comfortably, and communities can access well-equipped cultural and medical facilities can improve quality of life and foster a healthier society. Such integrated communities could also help address pressing issues like Korea’s rapidly aging population and declining birth rate, creating a virtuous cycle in housing.

“This is a crucial moment to respond to the dual challenges of aging and low birth rates. I believe community-based housing environments can play a role. That’s why I’m actively participating in anything—from lectures to advocacy—that helps people understand and spread these ideas, ultimately driving change. By sharing successful examples and knowledge, I hope to inspire future generations to build on these efforts and leave them with challenges to explore.”

Choi defines a good home not as an expensive or luxurious one, but as one imbued with thoughtful intention and care. This perspective, rooted in her dedication to socially impactful research, resonates deeply. She hopes that society will come to view homes as sanctuaries of life and foster housing environments where all individuals—including seniors and the vulnerable—can live in familiar communities. Her vision underscores the importance of moving beyond material wealth toward a more mature and inclusive society.