If you visit Korea, you will quickly notice something unusual in many Korean homes, offices, hotels, and public buildings: a water purifier. In Korean, a water purifier is called 정수기 (jeongsugi). You may see a small machine on a kitchen counter or a larger unit in an office. Some provide room-temperature and cold water. Others provide hot water, ice, or even sparkling water. But this raises an obvious question for foreign visitors:
If Korean tap water is safe to drink, why do so many Koreans use water purifiers?
The answer is more complicated than simply saying that Koreans do not trust tap water.
Is Korean Tap Water Safe to Drink?
South Korea has a modern public water-supply system, and treated tap water is managed according to national drinking-water standards. For example, Seoul’s tap water, known as Arisu (아리수), is regularly tested for water quality. Seoul monitors water from treatment plants as well as faucets and applies additional water-quality standards beyond the national requirements.
So why do so many Korean households still use water purifiers?
The answer is not simply that tap water is unsafe. Convenience, taste, and personal preference also play an important role. A modern water purifier can provide filtered water instantly, often in room-temperature, cold, or hot water. Some models also provide ice or sparkling water. This means people can have drinking water ready at any time without buying, carrying, and storing bottled water. For many Korean households, a water purifier is therefore less about avoiding unsafe tap water and more about having convenient, ready-to-drink water at home.
When Did Water Purifiers Become Common in Korea?
Water purifiers became increasingly popular in Korea during the 1990s. One important company in the development of the Korean water-purifier market was Coway. Coway was established in 1989 and began selling water purifiers in 1990.
At that time, a water purifier was a relatively expensive appliance, and buying one required a significant upfront payment. The market changed in 1998, when Coway introduced a rental business model together with its CODY service. Customers could use a water purifier while receiving regular care and maintenance.
This rental model helped make water purifiers more accessible to Korean households. It also created something distinctive about the Korean market: water purifiers are not simply appliances that people buy. They can also be products that come with an ongoing service relationship.
Why Do Koreans Rent Water Purifiers?
In many countries, you buy a home appliance and arrange repairs only when something goes wrong. Korea developed a different model for many water purifiers. Instead of paying the entire cost at once, customers can enter a rental contract and pay a monthly fee.
Depending on the company and contract, the service may include:
- Filter replacement
- Regular cleaning
- Inspection
- Maintenance
- Repair service
- Replacement of certain parts
The exact services and contract terms vary by company and product.
This model became an important part of Korea’s home-appliance rental industry. Coway says its water-purifier rental service began in 1998 and had reached 500,000 rental accounts by 2000 and more than 3 million by 2004.
What Is a CODY?
If you hear the word 코디 (CODY) in connection with a Korean water purifier, it does not mean a fashion stylist. A CODY is a home-care service professional who visits customers to provide maintenance for products such as water purifiers.
Depending on the service contract and product, a visit may involve:
- Checking the machine
- Replacing filters
- Cleaning components
- Inspecting the condition of the purifier
- Providing maintenance
Coway introduced its CODY service together with its rental business in 1998. This type of regular home visit is one of the features that helped distinguish Korea’s water-purifier rental system from simply buying a household appliance.
Types of Korean Water Purifiers
Korean water purifiers come in many different forms.
Tank-Type Water Purifiers
A tank-type purifier stores purified water inside an internal tank. In Korean, this is called 저수조형 정수기 (jeosujo-hyeong jeongsugi). These models have traditionally been common, although newer designs increasingly use other systems.
Direct-Flow Water Purifiers
A direct-flow model is called 직수형 정수기 (jiksu-hyeong jeongsugi). Instead of storing a large amount of purified water in a tank, water is filtered as it is dispensed. These models can be compact and are particularly suitable for modern kitchens with limited counter space.
Hot and Cold Water Purifiers
Many Korean water purifiers provide both cold and hot water.
Look for:
냉수 (naengsu) — cold water
온수 (onsu) — hot water
This means one appliance can provide drinking water as well as hot water for tea, coffee, or instant foods.
Ice Water Purifiers
Some models also make ice. These are called 얼음정수기 (eoreum-jeongsugi) — ice water purifier
They may provide:
- Purified water
- Cold water
- Hot water
- Ice
The ice-making function is particularly popular in households that regularly use ice drinks.
Sparkling Water Purifiers
Some advanced models can also produce carbonated water. In other words, the Korean water-purifier market has developed far beyond simple filtration. A single appliance can now combine water purification with temperature control, ice making, or carbonation.
Countertop vs. Built-In Water Purifiers
Water purifiers also differ according to how they are installed. A countertop model sits on top of the kitchen counter. A built-in model is designed to take up less visible counter space and may be installed underneath or integrated into the kitchen. This is particularly useful in smaller Korean kitchens where counter space can be limited.
How to Use a Korean Water Purifier
The machines can look complicated because there may be several buttons, but the basic operation is usually simple.
Place your cup or bottle under the water outlet and look for the following words.
정수 (jeongsu) — room-temperature purified water
냉수 (naengsu) — cold water
온수 (onsu) — hot water
얼음 (eoreum) — ice
Choose the type of water you want and press the corresponding button.
Some machines allow you to select a specific amount of water before dispensing it.
Why Doesn’t the Hot Water Come Out?
If you press 온수 but nothing happens, the machine may have a safety lock.
Look for:
잠금 (jamgeum) — lock
잠금 해제 (jamgeum haeje) — unlock
Some machines require you to press and hold a button to release the hot-water lock.
This is a safety feature because hot water can cause burns.
The exact procedure varies by model, so follow the instructions displayed on the machine.
Where Will You See Water Purifiers in Korea?
Water purifiers are not limited to private homes.
You may find them in:
- Korean homes
- Offices
- Schools
- Universities
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Gyms
- Restaurants
- Government buildings
- Other public facilities
In an office, for example, a water purifier is often placed in a shared break area where employees can fill their cups or reusable bottles.
In a hotel or guesthouse, you may find one in a common area or inside the room.
Can Foreign Travelers Use a Korean Water Purifier?
Usually, yes. If your accommodation provides a water purifier, you can generally use it just like any other drinking-water dispenser. If you are staying in Korea for several weeks or months, a water purifier can be particularly convenient because you do not need to repeatedly buy and carry bottled water. However, always follow the instructions provided by the hotel, accommodation, or facility.
Water Purifier or Bottled Water?
For a short trip, bottled water may be the simplest option.
For people living in Korea, however, a water purifier can be more convenient.
A purifier can:
- Provide drinking water immediately
- Provide cold or hot water
- Reduce the need to store bottled water
- Avoid repeatedly carrying heavy bottles
- Provide additional functions such as ice
The choice is ultimately a matter of convenience and personal preference.
Read Next
Kimchi Refrigerator (김치냉장고): A Uniquely Korean Appliance –
