AT COLLEGE, we learn how to research, write essays, and think critically. What we do not learn, however, are life skills such as the basics of finding and managing a home—critical knowledge that every fledgling adult needs to have under their belt. There is no need to fear for those who do not know where to start, as Zipbosam, a Yonsei University student organization specializing in residential consultation service, dedicates itself to helping students navigate their way through this daunting journey. To learn more about Zipbosam and the housing services it provides, The Yonsei Annals interviewed the president of the organization, Ryu Sang-yoon (Jr., Dept. of Cultural Anthropology), and its other members for details on how the organization operates.

Annals: Could you give us a brief introduction to Zipbosam?

Ryu: Zipbosam is a residential counseling center at Yonsei University. The organization's purpose is to acknowledge and resolve housing issues that students have. Zipbosam is part of Yonsei University’s Student Co-op Committee and is supported by Minsnail Union, a civic organization for youth housing rights.

Annals: What kind of services do you provide for students of Yonsei University?

Ryu: Zipbosam accompanies students when they are working with real estate agents to help them find a desirable house that fits their financial and living conditions. Additionally, we help clients check the conditions of the housing facilities—for example, it is crucial to test whether the building has proper water pressure, drainage in the bathroom, well-functioning electricity outlets, active surveillance cameras, and other essential housing conditions. Our members also assist clients in inspecting for potential hygiene problems such as mold or insect infestation in the apartment. Additionally, Zipbosam helps make inquiries on additional details that the potential tenant might be interested in, like the monthly utility bills or why the previous tenant left the house. Of course, we also inform the potential tenants of the surrounding residential environment, such as the building’s proximity to public transportation services.

   Furthermore, Zipbosam offers consultation assistance when students get involved in a dispute with their landlords. For example, in the case of a lease dispute, there are many legal elements that the tenant needs to consider in reference to the Housing Lease Protection Act. Not only does the preparation for such legal responses consume a great deal of time and money, but some clients do not possess any prior knowledge or experience in dealing with such complex legal issues. In situations like this, Zipbosam will partner with the student to prepare a proper legal response based on similar cases in the past, making sure that their infringed housing rights are properly restored and protected. When additional professional assistance is required, lawyers for legal advice and resolution directions can be set up with the Minsnail Union to support the client.

Annals: Could you provide more details on how your organization operates? 

Ryu: The organization is divided into four teams to handle different areas of work within Zipbosam effectively. We conduct activity reports every semester, including all the accounting information, consultation history, and activity records of different clients; this serves as a point of reference when Zipbosam is planning for new house-hunting projects or furthering knowledge on students’ housing rights. We also try to foster connections with other organizations in the school, such as the Student Council, civic organizations like the Minsnail Union, or other student-led groups, to be better recognized within Yonsei’s student community. Besides forming partnerships with external parties, we actively produce promotional materials on our social media platforms to help reach more youths in need of our service.

   Zipbosam connects with clients by offering both online and offline customer services. Online customer services are available through our Kakao Talk Channel, and—depending on the type of request—consultations are carried out either through Zipbosam’s Kakao Talk, Facebook Messenger, or a Zoom call. Our members record and analyze the contents of consultation cases, sharing new points of information during educational seminars between the Zipbosam members, taking into account newly encountered information and noting how we can improve. In addition, when extra projects come up for Zipbosam, we form a Task Force Team (TFT) consisted of team members from across the bureaus who are willing to help. These extra projects mainly consist of activities such as collecting information on new lodgings near the university and updating checklists of what the client needs to know before entering a rental contract.

Annals: What do you look for in new recruits?

Ryu: What we expect most to see from new members is their willingness to learn and actively participate in team activities. Since Zipbosam deals with youth housing agendas and housing rights, it would also be ideal for potential members to be interested in these topics. We also consider whether applicants have previous experiences dealing with house-hunting or housing-related issues, as this would translate well into their work in Zipbosam and allow them to participate in more housing-related projects. Additionally, we look for members who are willing to understand clients’ situations and sympathize with individuals who are in a socially disadvantageous position. 

Annals: What is the most difficult part of working in Zipbosam?

Ryu: The most difficult aspect of being a member of Zipbosam is when we do not feel like our organization receives the recognition it requires to reach the students who might be needing help. Although we are always thinking of ways to spread more awareness about our services to youths, we have yet to find a clear solution to this challenge.

Chang Chae-yeon (Sr., Department of Sociology):  I find it difficult to keep up with all the housing policy details, especially since we need to constantly update our knowledge on the changing regulations. People who seek our services rely on us to have accurate knowledge on housing, which is why it is crucial to regularly fact-check outdated information. 

Annals: What is your most memorable moment at Zipbosam?

Ryu: One of my most memorable moments of working at Zipbosam was when I read the recruitment applications for Zipbosam’s new members. I was given the impression that the applicants genuinely recognize the work we do and understand the importance of our organization. Another memorable moment was when our previous clients thanked us for helping them find a satisfactory home. They said that Zipbosam made the house-hunting process much smoother, and that they would now be able to help others based on this experience.

Seo Ju-eun (Sr., Department of Cultural Anthropology): There were many rewarding moments that I experienced as a consultant for Zipbosam. When offering housing assistance, it is crucial to check how much collateral debt the house is carrying. If the debt is too big an amount, the tenant might not be able to have their security deposit returned to them when the landlord cannot fully pay the debt. There was one case where I found out that it might be financially risky for the tenant to sign the lease for a particular house as he might not get his security deposit back. It was a relief that my warning reached the client before he had signed the rental agreement.

Annals: Do you have any last words for the students of Yonsei University? 

Ryu: If you are experiencing any housing or residential issues, Zipbosam is always available to assist you with your needs. This is especially true for students looking to find a living space for the first time—please do not hesitate to knock on our door for help!