{
  "id": 19229829,
  "title": "[57th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards] Fiction Grand Prize: How to Get Your Deposit Back",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/57th-modern-korean-literature-translation-awards-fiction-grand-prize",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T22:17:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/books/20261110/57th-modern-korean-literature-translation-awards-fiction-grand-prize-how-to-get-your-deposit-back"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nUnexpectedly, 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.\n\nThis 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.",
  "summary": "Written by Cho Ye-eun Translated by Breanna Hundley Excerpt from 'How to Get Your Deposit Back' Security deposit: 30 million won Monthly rent: 550,000 won Maintenance fee: 150,000 won (not included in rent) There were just under two months left until Seongah’s lease ended. She had given the landlord notice about two weeks before, which legally, was more than enough time to prepare for the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}