Amid a fraught relationship between South Korea and Japan, seven students from the two countries spent the summer together — cooking, relaxing in front of the TV and trying to hash out their countries' political differences while deepening their understanding of one another.

The undertaking, involving four Japanese studying in South Korea and three South Koreans who can speak Japanese, took place over two months at an apartment in Seoul as part of a program called Korea-Japan Exchange Share House. What the students shared was a desire for the neighboring countries to improve ties.

"It was an unforgettable summer vacation," said Shin Yoon-cheol, a 25-year-old South Korean student, as he recalled his experiences with his housemates.