This expression is used when the speaker, after considering a number of possible situations concludes that something could be considered more or less the same as the topic or subject that has been mentioned. It has the same meaning as the expression -와/과마찬가지다.
Details
Kimchi Reader
Indicates that something can be counted, interpreted, or calculated as another thing.
Examples
이 식당의 가격을 생각하면 정말 <span class='focus'>싼 셈이에요</span>.
Considering the prices of this restaurant, it is really cheap.
이 일을 10년 동안 했으니 이제 전문가<span class='focus'>인 셈이에요</span>.
Having done this work for 10 years, I am practically an expert.
하루에 5시간씩 공부하면 한 달에 150시간을 공부<span class='focus'>한 셈이에요</span>.
If you study 5 hours a day, that amounts to studying 150 hours a month.