Door Locks and Bidets
Digital door locks (도어락)
Most Korean homes use a keypad lock instead of a key.
To open from outside
- Touch the keypad to wake it up (numbers light up).
- Enter the code from your host.
- Press the star (*) or hash (#) key, or the small check button, to confirm — the lock beeps and opens.
To lock: close the door. Most locks lock automatically after a few seconds.
If it doesn't open
- Wait and try again slowly — several wrong tries can lock the keypad for a few minutes.
- A melody or warning beep can mean a low battery. Many locks have two terminals at the bottom where you can hold a 9V battery to power them temporarily.
- Contact your host — never force the door.
Inside: a turn knob or button opens the door. Some locks have a double-lock switch that disables the keypad from outside — do not turn it on if others need to get in.
Bidet toilets (비데)
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 정지 | Stop |
| 세정 | Rear wash |
| 비데 | Front wash |
| 건조 | Dry |
| 수압 | Water pressure |
| 온도 | Temperature |
Press 정지 (Stop) if you are unsure — it is usually the biggest button.
Toilet paper
In most modern buildings you can flush toilet paper. In some older places a sign asks you to use the bin — follow the sign.