Led the mobile UX/UI from end to end, creating a scalable design system and core flows. Added interactive maps, messaging, clearer room details, and a more secure, streamlined booking process to improve usability and trust for international users.
Impact
1M MAU
20× traffic growth post-launch
iOS conversion: 4.3% → 20.3%
₩1B+ revenue in first weeks (525 bookings)
11.6K installs shortly after launch
Role
Product Design Lead
Team
2 Product Managers
2 Engineers
2 Designers
Timeline
Nov 2024 - Feb 2025
(12 weeks)
Tools
Figma, Notion, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Slack, and etc.
About the service
EnkoStay connects international travelers with safe, reliable long-term stays in Korea.
The Problem
International users faced several friction points on EnkoStay’s web platform:
Difficult to search, evaluate, or book accommodations on mobile
Poor mobile usability created drop-offs during key tasks
No built-in real-time communication, forcing users to rely on external apps
Low clarity and trust when viewing room details or contacting hosts
We needed to redesign the experience as a mobile app that improved accessibility, clarity, and trust for global travelers.
Before: Desktop-first web platform not optimized for mobile or international renters.
Pain Points
From 200+ survey responses, we learned that international users struggled to:
Understanding Korean addresses
Navigating without visual cues
Trusting hosts due to no messaging or safety indicators
What International Renters Care About
Through research and market analysis, we identified the key factors international renters prioritize when searching for housing.
Affordability & Convenience
Affordable pricing
Listings near schools, offices, and popular destinations
Trust & Transparency
Trustworthy listings
Transparent pricing and processes
Local Context
City and neighborhood resources
Points of interest (schools, workplaces, landmarks)
Global Accessibility
Language support (i18n)
Local currency payment options
Community
Community activities and social connections
Product Principles
These principles guided the transition from a web-based platform to a mobile app, ensuring clarity, trust, and confidence for international renters.
Trust Before Commitment
International renters need confidence before taking action.
Map First, Details Second
Help users orient before asking them to decide.
Reduce Cognitive Load for Global Users
Design for users navigating a new country, language, and housing system.
Guide Decisions, Don’t Overwhelm
Complex housing decisions should feel structured and comparable, not overwhelming.
Solutions
Map-first Home
Visual discovery for global renters.
Landmarks + subway context → easier area understanding.
In-app Messaging
Trust through real-time communication.
Host profiles, safety cues, and translation support.
Room Selection
Clarity in housing details.
Structured info + quick room comparison.
No surprises at checkout.
Transparent fees: rent, utilities, deposit, service costs.
Feature 1
Map-First home
Before (Web)
Search bar required typing neighborhoods
“Show Map” was small & secondary
No spatial context
Hard to understand where areas were
After (App)
Map is the primary home view
Subway lines + universities + landmarks
Immediate spatial understanding
Natural mobile exploration (pinch/zoom)
Feature 2
In-app Messaging
Problem & Insight
Problem
Web platform provided no direct Host–Guest communication, causing uncertainty
International users needed to verify rules, safety, ARC support, and exact location.
Time zones + language gaps = slow, unreliable communication.
Insight
Messaging was not optional — the core trust mechanism foreign users needed before committing to a long-term booking
Host View v.s. Guest View
Host View — Optimized for quick decisions & managing multiple guests
Guest View — Trust-first design with property context and safety cues
Host view
Local time indicator (handles time-zone differences)
Guest summary pinned at top
Quick actions (Confirm / Request info / Decline)
Grouped messages for high-volume threads
Guest view
Property preview always visible
Host verification, rating, response time
Sensitive information warnings
Clean translation + “View Original Text” option
Before (Web)
No messaging
No translation
No trust indicators
High booking anxiety
Impact
Users felt safer contacting hosts before booking
Reduced pre-booking abandonment
Faster host responses → quicker booking decisions
Higher CSAT from international users
After (App)
Real-time chat
Property + host identity visible
Safety warnings
Translation support
Problem Report
Report / Block
Safety Warning
Feature 3
Room Selection
What I Focused On
A predictable information structure (Overview → Amenities → Rules → Utilities/Payments)
Highlighting what matters most to international renters
Women-only badge
ARC support
Bills included / not included
Deposit + contract clarity
Room type comparison built for speed
Horizontal room selector with price, occupancy, and key info visible upfront
Design Goals
Reduce cognitive load by organizing details (amenities and utility payment options) into predictable sections
Surface critical info for international users (safety, women-only, ARC document support)
Enable quick comparison between room types
Impact
Users found room details easier to understand
Reduced confusion around ARC, utilities, and contract rules
Improved confidence → fewer pre-booking drop-offs
Hosts received fewer repetitive questions
Feature 4
Payment
What I Focused On
A single, honest cost summary
All in one transparent list
Rental fee
Utility fee
Enko service fee
Move-out cleaning
Bedding package (optional)
Why this matters: International renters are unfamiliar with Korean housing fees. Clear grouping reduces confusion and prevents last-minute hesitation.
Simple card management
No hidden steps or unclear terms
Effortless, predictable checkout flow
Outcome
Users told us the checkout felt “simple and trustworthy”.
Hosts received far fewer questions about utility fees and deposits.
Foreign guests especially mentioned that the total cost was “finally understandable.”
Impact
Users found room details easier to understand
Reduced confusion around ARC, utilities, and contract rules
Improved confidence → fewer pre-booking drop-offs
Hosts received fewer repetitive questions
Results & Impact
Reached 1M MAU and drove 20× traffic growth post-launch
Increased iOS conversion from 4.3% → 20.3%
Generated ₩1B+ in revenue within weeks (525 bookings)
Achieved 11.6K installs shortly after launch
Future Considerations
Location intelligence & personalized area recommendations
Stronger trust signals and safety features
Clearer long-term rental pricing & auto-pay options
Localized onboarding for foreign renters (ARC, contracts, KYC)
Data-driven optimization across the booking funnel