One Saturday at 2 p.m., I leave the real estate office in the university district and open the door to a studio apartment. The international student is startled. That's because a bed, a desk, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and an air conditioner are already in place. "Did the previous tenant leave these behind?" The student asks, but no. The landlord put them in from the start. ## What Is a "Full Option" Place? In Korea, we call this kind of home a "full option" (풀옵션). It means that appliances and furniture all come included as options. In many cases, the price is already built into the monthly rent. ## Why Did It Turn Out This Way? Students and office workers often move when their school or company changes. Moving a fridge and a washing machine every time is exhausting and costs a lot of money. That's why move-in-ready homes, where you only need to bring yourself, are very popular. Landlords also buy appliances in advance, since a place with appliances is easier to find a new tenant for than an empty one. So it's natural not to take the appliances with you when you move out, and for the next person to just keep using them. ## Be sure to check before signing the contract - Keep a record, in the contract or in photos, of which items belong to the landlord. - Try turning on the air conditioner and the washing machine yourself. - Ask in advance who will repair things if they break down. They belong to the landlord, so you may have to pay if you seriously damage them. Check the special terms in the contract for details.