'A league of their own': Seoul's most expensive apartment complexes to hold exclusive sports competition
Published: 30 Apr. 2026, 16:24
![The Raemian One Bailey Apartment Complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/30/3c9f50e4-ed74-4c63-ba17-90b067c45c0d.jpg)
The Raemian One Bailey Apartment Complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul [YONHAP]
A league of their own: Two of Seoul’s most expensive apartment complexes in southern Seoul — where units sell for billions of won each — are set to hold an inter-complex sports exchange among residents.
Maple Xi, a luxury apartment complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul, said it will host the event with nearby Raemian One Bailey, featuring activities such as screen golf and table tennis.
“We will hold a sports exchange event with Raemian One Bailey in Banpo [Seocho District] on May 16,” said Maple Xi, according to the Yonhap News Agency's report on Thursday.
Both complexes are considered among the most expensive in the country.
At Raemian One Bailey, an 84-square-meter (904-square-foot) unit has sold for up to 7.2 billion won ($4.9 million). Comparable units at Maple Xi have traded at around 5.6 billion won. Prices hover near 200 million won per 3.3 square meters.
Participants for screen golf will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, while table tennis and basketball teams will consist of resident club members and students from a basketball academy run by former national team players.
The matches will take place at Maple Xi’s apartment facilities. The 3,307-household complex, which opened in June last year, includes amenities such as a private, resident-only swimming pool, screen golf facilities, a gym, a workout studio and an indoor basketball court.
![A photo of Maple Xi, a luxury apartment complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [JOONGANG ILBO]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/30/42726ec2-9eff-40e1-a7b7-62aed77a487f.jpg)
A photo of Maple Xi, a luxury apartment complex in Seocho District, southern Seoul. [JOONGANG ILBO]
The announcement was also shared in the Raemian One Bailey residents’ group chat and later circulated on social media.
Online users reacted with comments such as “Is this the real estate version of a college rivalry match?” and “Should we call it the ‘One-Me Match’?” — a nickname combining the names of the two complexes.
Critics say the event highlights a sense of exclusivity among residents of ultrahigh-end complexes.
A similar controversy emerged in 2023 when news of a matchmaking event exclusively for Raemian One Bailey residents became public, alongside the establishment of multiple matchmaking firms targeting residents of ultrahigh-end apartments in Gangnam, a southern Seoul area.
Critics argued it reflected “social division based on high-priced housing” and that “apartment hierarchy is real.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY SHIN HYE-YEON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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