Since my wife and I lived in Officetel(all electric appliance provided) 1 year, and moved into our new place in new apartment, it felt like we were starting a newlywed life all over again. We realized: We need to buy everything.
This led us down a rabbit hole of research. Should we buy second-hand? Should we go to Samsung or LG? And most importantly, should we pay 10 million won upfront or try this new thing everyone is talking about: the LG appliance subscription.
After one year of living with a house full of LG gadgets, here is my honest, detailed review. I will break down why we chose LG, how the subscription service actually works, and—most importantly—warn you about a financial “discount” trap that I deeply regret falling into.
1. The Korean “White Goods” Rule: Why We Chose LG
Coming from Japan, I was used to a different landscape of electronics. In Japan, I often bought appliances second-hand from “Recycle Shops” to save money. You may can find good second hand products in Dangguen market in Korea. If I bought new, I stuck to reliable domestic brands like Panasonic or Hitachi. They were functional, sturdy, and boring.
When I arrived in Korea, I was blown away by how beautiful the appliances were. They looked like furniture. But I was also confused by the rivalry. Samsung or LG?
I asked my Korean co-workers, friends, and even my neighbors. The advice was almost unanimous:
“If you want a smartphone, buy Samsung. But if you are buying ‘white goods’ (home appliances), you must go with LG.”
In Korea, there is a strong belief that LG’s motors and compressors are superior. Since a washing machine or fridge is something you use for 10+ years, reliability is key.
We decided to go all-in on the LG Objet Collection. We wanted a cohesive look. We didn’t want a Samsung fridge next to a Whirlpool oven. The Objet Collection offered this stunning “Beige and White” theme that matched our interior perfectly. It looked warm, elegant, and incredibly modern.
2. The Shopping Experience: Why Local is Better
In the age of Coupang and Gmarket, you might be tempted to just click “Buy” online. Don’t do it.
We visited the LG Best Shop in Bongdam (my local area). It was an eye-opening experience compared to visiting a generic electronics store like Hi-Mart.
Our floor manager, Mr. Ju, was a wizard. When we told him which apartment complex we were moving into, he didn’t just nod. He pulled up the actual architectural blueprints of our specific apartment unit on his tablet. If you wonder how he get the blueprints of our apartement, please check this post out, why Korean live in an apartment?
“Ah, you are moving into Type B,” he said. “The laundry room door here is a bit narrow. If you get the largest dryer, it might scratch the door frame during installation. I recommend this slightly slimmer model.”
He knew the layout of our house better than we did because he had already helped dozens of our neighbors. He helped us design the layout of our kitchen and laundry room right there in the store. This level of personalized service is why I highly recommend visiting a local official shop rather than a big department store in Seoul.
3. Buying Outright vs. LG Appliance Subscription
Once we picked out our dream team of appliances, we hit a wall: The Price.
We wanted the full package:
- Washer & Dryer Combo Tower (Essential for Korean apartments)
- Water Purifier (You can drink tap water directly in Korean people prefer to drink from water purifier)
- CordZero Vacuum Cleaner
- Multifunctional Electric Oven (Microwave, Air Fryer, Oven all-in-one)
- Wine Cellar (A treat for my wife)
The total price tag was over 10 million KRW ($7,500 USD). Paying that much cash upfront right after paying a huge house deposit was painful. That is when Mr. Ju introduced us to the LG appliance subscription.
What is the Subscription?
It is not just “renting.” It is more like a “Care Service.” You pay a monthly fee for 3 to 6 years. At the end of the contract, the appliances belong to you (you own them).
The Pros of Subscription:
- Low Initial Cost: We didn’t have to drain our savings account.
- The “Care” Visits: This is the biggest selling point. A “Care Manager” visits our house regularly (usually every 6 months).
- They sanitize the water purifier pipes.
- They clean the washing machine drum and dryer filters (which are a pain to clean yourself).
- They steam clean the oven.
- Free Consumables: They ship us new filters for the vacuum, water purifier, and air purifier automatically. I never have to remember to buy them.
- Extended Warranty: During the subscription period, repairs are free. If the motor dies in year 4, they fix it for free. If you buy outright, the standard warranty is usually only 1 year.
For a busy couple with a baby on the way, the idea of “outsourcing” the maintenance was very appealing. We signed the papers.
4. Living with the Subscription: A 1-Year Review
It has been exactly one year since we installed everything. How is it going?
The Service is Real I was skeptical that they would actually come and clean. But sure enough, I get a text message regularly: “Hello, this is your LG Care Manager. Can I visit next Tuesday at 2 PM?”
They come in, wear shoe covers, and get to work. They bring special equipment to sterilize the appliances. It’s not just a wipe-down; it’s a deep clean. My washing machine still smells brand new because of this.
Adapting to Life Changes Recently, the air quality in Korea has been terrible due to yellow dust (fine dust/PM2.5). Surviving the yeollow dust season in Korea can be challenging. With a newborn baby in the house, we couldn’t open the windows, but we were worried about indoor air quality.
We called Mr. Ju again. He recommended an air purifier that matched our existing Objet theme. He explained exactly which mode to use for a sleeping baby to keep it quiet but effective. Because we were existing subscribers, adding this to our monthly plan was easy.
The ability to integrate everything into the LG ThinQ app is also a game-changer. I can start my laundry from my office, monitor the air quality in the nursery, and get alerts if I leave the fridge door open.
5. The Financial Trap: A Serious Warning
If you take only one thing away from this post, let it be this section. When you sign up for an LG appliance subscription, the salespeople will try to help you “lower” your monthly bill.
They will offer two main methods. One is great. The other is a trap.
The Good Method: Affiliated Credit Cards
They suggested I sign up for an LG-affiliated credit card (like Shinhan or Lotte).
- The Deal: If I spend 300,000 KRW a month on this card, I get a 15,000 KRW discount on my appliance bill.
- My Verdict: DO THIS. I set up my fixed costs (insurance, phone bill, city gas, internet) to autopay from this card. I hit the 300,000 won limit easily every month without “spending extra money.” It saves me about 180,000 KRW a year per card.
The Bad Method: “Sangjo” (Funeral Service) Savings
They also suggested a “Special Life Care” savings plan (Sangjo).
- The Deal: I pay 59,900 KRW every month for 100 months (that is 8 years and 4 months!).
- The Promise: In exchange, they gave me discount of about 1 million won on my appliances. They promised, “You get 100% of your principal back at the end.”
It sounded like a free loan. I pay into a savings account, get a discount now, and get my money back later. I was wrong.
Why I Regret It:
- Liquidity Lock: My money is locked away for nearly a decade. That is 6 million won I cannot touch.
- Cancellation Penalty: If I need that money today and cancel, I only get back about 85% of what I paid. I would lose money.
- The Hidden Wait: I recently read the fine print. For some contracts, after you finish paying for 100 months, you have to wait another 80 months before you can withdraw 100% of your cash. That is 15 years!
- Opportunity Cost: If I put that 59,900 won into a stock index fund or even a high-interest savings account, it would grow. In this Sangjo plan, it earns zero interest.
I regretfully opened 4 of these accounts to maximize my discount. It was a financial mistake. Please, do not sign up for the Sangjo service. Just take the credit card discount.
6. Conclusion
Setting up a home in Korea is expensive, but doing it right makes life so much easier.
My Recommendations:
- Choose LG Objet: The design and quality are worth the hype.
- Use the LG Appliance Subscription: The peace of mind, the 6-year warranty, and the regular cleaning services are fantastic for busy families.
- Find a Local Manager: Go to your neighborhood LG Best Shop and find a manager who knows your apartment complex.
- Maximize Credit Card Discounts: Use the affiliated cards for your fixed bills.
- Avoid “Sangjo”: Do not lock your money away for 10 years for a small discount.
One year later, despite the yellow dust outside, our home feels clean, modern, and efficient. If you are starting your new life in Korea, I hope this guide helps you navigate the confusing world of Korean appliances!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can foreigners sign up for an LG appliance subscription? A: Yes! You need your Alien Registration Card (ARC) and a Korean bank account or credit card. The process is the same as for Korean citizens.
Q: Is the subscription cheaper than buying? A: No, the total cost over the 3-6 year contract is usually higher than the one-time purchase price. However, you are paying for the Care Service (cleaning, filter replacements) and the extended warranty. If you value maintenance, it is worth the extra cost.
Q: Can I take the appliances if I move? A: Yes. You own the appliances (or are on the path to owning them). You can move them to your new house just like normal furniture. LG even offers moving and re-installation services (for a fee) to ensure they are set up correctly.
Q: What happens if I want to cancel the subscription early? A: You will have to pay a penalty fee (wiyak-geum). This is usually calculated based on the remaining value of the contract. It is better to only sign up if you plan to stay in Korea for at least 3 years.
Q: Does the dryer really work in Korea? A: Absolutely. The modern LG wash towers use heat pump technology which is gentle on clothes and energy-efficient. In the humid Korean summer, a dryer is a lifesaver because clothes hung to dry will often smell like mildew.
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