Yoon Young-mi Expresses Frustration Over Rent Increase

Yoon Young-mi, a well-known announcer, recently shared her frustrations regarding a significant increase in her apartment rent. On June 29, she took to Instagram to reveal that her monthly rent has risen by 500,000 KRW, stating, "The rent has been gradually increasing for eight years, but this year it has surged dramatically." She expressed feelings of sadness and anger, reflecting on her 16 years of living in rented accommodations without the means for a deposit to secure a lease.

Yoon lamented, "I don’t see anyone around me in the same situation. Everyone seems to have wealthy husbands, whether they are CEOs or doctors, living without financial worries. They all inherit substantial wealth and properties in Gangnam, while I have been working for over 40 years, including as a freelancer, and I still find life so challenging."

She directed some of her frustration towards her husband, saying, "Why don’t you go out and earn at least 500,000 KRW? Don’t just look at me when the rent has gone up!" However, she acknowledged that complaining to him wouldn’t yield any solutions, as he has dedicated his life to helping others as a pastor and is unlikely to suddenly find a way to earn more money.

Yoon also revealed that she sought medical help for her feelings of depression, discovering that her adrenal hormones and cortisol levels were low. "I received prescriptions for several medications. The rising rent and my hormonal issues only add to my gloom," she shared, describing her emotions as layered like a croissant, with anger and sadness enveloping her. She reflected on her challenging upbringing, growing up without a father in the countryside, and how these experiences have shaped her life.

Despite her struggles, Yoon emphasized the importance of perspective, suggesting that she might be seen as an object of envy by others. "Looking at myself through the eyes of others can sometimes be a healing method. It’s not just during conflicts that we need to practice empathy; it’s also essential when evaluating our own misfortunes," she noted. She concluded that by slightly shifting her mindset, the clouds of depression seem to be lifting.

In related news, the trend of rental agreements shifting from jeonse (lump-sum deposits) to monthly rent is accelerating across South Korea. According to data from the Court Registration Information Center, the number of monthly rental contracts from January to May reached 743,733, marking a 23.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Monthly rents now account for 61.2% of all rental agreements, up from 57.8% last year. In Seoul, high-value monthly rental transactions are also on the rise, with 18,035 transactions exceeding 1,000,000 KRW, a 2.6% increase from the previous year.