From Airbnb Superhost to Enkostay Host: Sunny’s Story of Running a Share House in Seoul

Operating a share house close to Seoul National University, Sunny began her journey with Airbnb, where she quickly earned the Superhost title. What started as a challenging process, from securing landlord consent for subleasing to managing cultural differences with foreign guests, eventually turned into valuable lessons and a system of her own.

After discovering Enkostay, Sunny found reassurance in its structured contract system and trustworthy platform, which gave her more confidence as a host. In this interview, she talks about her hosting journey, her experiences with foreign guests, and what lies ahead.

Introduction

Q. Could you briefly introduce yourself and explain how you started hosting?

A. My name is Sunny, and I currently run a share house near Seoul National University Station. I first began hosting in Seodaemun and earned the title of Airbnb Superhost. As I gained more experience, I met many positive and inspiring foreign guests. Through those encounters, I realized there was a strong demand from international students struggling with housing. That’s what motivated me to start a share house with a colleague, and little by little, I built my own way of hosting.

Why Enkostay?

Q. Out of all the platforms available, why did you choose Enkostay? How has your experience been so far?

I first heard about Enkostay around 2022 through an online ad. Back then, I only remembered the name, but later, after a consultation with the customer support team, I was convinced by their professionalism and reliability. That gave me confidence to join as a host.
 

Since I had experience working at a startup myself, Enkostay’s company values and investment background also reassured me. Once I started using it, I saw how quickly contracts with foreign guests were finalized. The structured contract and payment system made me feel safe as a host. That’s why today, I mainly use Enkostay.

Meeting Foreign Guests

Q. When did you first host foreign guests?

A. Even before joining Enkostay, I had hosted foreign guests at my place in Chungjeongno. Since my share house is near Seoul National University, many of the tenants are students from there. Foreign students often shared stay information among themselves, and word-of-mouth eventually brought more to my share house. One particular guest was so reliable and communicative that it gave me confidence, “I can definitely focus on foreign guests and make this work.”

Q. Have you experienced any memorable cultural or language differences?

A. Yes, there were many small moments. Guests often asked about everyday details like whether toilet paper should go in the bin or the toilet, or how to use appliances like dryers and dishwashers. These might seem trivial, but it showed me how eager they were to adapt to Korean customs. Their willingness to learn made me feel grateful as a host. It also helped me take better care of them, and I hope that kind of communication continues.

Hosting Routine & Daily Life

Q. What tasks do you handle regularly as a host?

A. One important routine is sending check-in and check-out messages on time. For long-term guests, I also reach out once every week or two to check if they’re comfortable. Even small issues should be addressed early. Guests appreciate that level of care.

I also prepare a small welcome gift for new arrivals, like face masks or eye masks. Since most guests arrive after long flights, I want to give them a warm and thoughtful welcome.

Rewards

Q. And what has been the most rewarding part?

A. When guests remember me not just as someone who rented them a room, but as a trustworthy person. Some foreign guests signed long-term contracts for two years, while others came back year after year. Knowing I became part of their good memories of Korea is the most rewarding feeling as a host.

Looking Ahead

Q. How do you want your stay to be remembered, and what are your future plans?

A. I want my share house to be remembered as more than just a place to stay, a home-like space that people want to return to. My goal is to gradually increase the proportion of foreign guests and establish a reliable, trust-based share house model where anyone can live comfortably and safely in Korea.