[57th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards] Fiction Grand Prize: How to Get Your Deposit Back

In the wake of her lease's expiration, Seongah faced the daunting prospect of retrieving her security deposit in full from her landlord. The total amount, a significant 30 million won, comprised of a monthly rent of 550,000 won, a maintenance fee of 150,000 won, and the two-month remaining period on her lease. Seongah had already notified her landlord two weeks prior, a notice deemed sufficient under the law to facilitate the return of her deposit. It was a straightforward process, or so it seemed.

Unexpectedly, a call from her mother prompted a change in her plans. Her mother, residing in rural areas, informed Seongah of an urgent need to have her younger brother enrolled in a cram school. The required tuition was an alarming 5 million won, which Seongah had previously borrowed from her mother. Thus, she found herself compelled to answer, "Okay," upon hearing the request.

This decision left Seongah with a reduced deposit budget of 25 million won for her future rental accommodations. The financial burden was daunting, hinting at potential obstacles such as moldy wallpaper or windows structurally compromised by illegal alterations. Despite the challenges, Seongah remained determined to navigate her housing situation with the deposit she had painstakingly saved.