Yook Sung Jae is making headlines, not for a new role or album, but for a savvy real estate move. The BTOB member’s apartment in Seoul’s trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood has reportedly jumped in value by over 700 million KRW (about 511,000 USD), all within just seven months of purchase.
Last year, Yook Sung Jae purchased a unit at the Seoul Forest Hillstate luxury condo complex for 2.4 billion KRW (approx. 1.8 million USD). According to real estate sources and registry documents, he completed the transaction in July 2023. Notably, no mortgage was recorded, suggesting it was an all-cash deal. The unit spans approximately 117 square meters (1,260 sq ft).
Fast forward to May 2024, and similar units in the building are now selling for up to 3.4 billion KRW (approximately 2.5 million USD), a significant appreciation in a short timeframe.
Seongsu: Seoul’s New Real Estate Hotspot
Seongsu-dong, part of Seongdong District, has become one of Seoul’s fastest-growing neighborhoods in terms of property value. According to the Korea Real Estate Board’s latest report, Seongdong topped all 25 districts in Seoul, with apartment prices rising 0.76% in just one week.
What’s driving the boom? Unlike high-profile areas like Gangnam and Yongsan, where land transactions are heavily restricted, Seongsu remains largely open to investors. With rising demand spilling over from those more regulated zones, Seongsu has become a magnet for both investors and individual buyers, such as Yook Sung Jae.
A local real estate expert explains, “Seongdong allows for gap investments and is still relatively accessible. Buyers are moving fast, anticipating that it could soon become a regulated zone. That urgency is fueling record-breaking sales.”
Considering that Seongdong District, including Seongsu-dong, is currently a seller’s market, Yook Sung Jae appears to have gained approximately 700 million KRW (about 511,400 USD) in property value in just seven months since his purchase.
Yook Sung Jae’s apartment isn’t just valuable, but it’s also famous. Seoul Forest Hillstate is one of the most prestigious developments in the area, part of what locals refer to as the Seoul Forest Line, which also includes other luxury towers such as Trimage, Acro Seoul Forest, and Galleria Foret. Many of these buildings offer sweeping views of the Han River, which further enhances their appeal.
The complex is known in Korea as a celebrity apartment, with residents including Super Junior’s Donghae, Lee Sang Yoon, and Namgoong Min, alongside Yook Sung Jae.
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