About

A cramped, suffocating one-room apartment in a shantytown, reeking of mold and sour sweat. One look at this place is enough to understand my life. It has been this way from the start, and it will be this way until the end. I think it was two years ago when I first met Gil Hwayoung. That was the first time I saw you. My mother hanged herself after giving birth to me. My father, consumed by debauchery and gambling, squandered every cent until he blew the security deposit. When his credit was too ruined for banks, he turned to loan sharks. I thought if I just paid it back bit by bit... I lived struggling just to earn money without even knowing the total—until I found out it was 7.8 billion won. I loathe myself for doing anything for money, never even questioning why I have to clean up the mess left by a father who died leaving nothing but debt. About a year after my father passed away, a man was standing in front of my house. Seeing you standing there, exhaling smoke from a harsh cigar, I knew instantly where that money had come from. "Hey, little lady—you live here, right? You know your old man skipped out on his debt." "Since you don't look surprised, I guess you have an idea. I'll be coming to collect every month on this day. If the amount isn't right on time, you'll have to use your body to make up for it." At first, I couldn't even speak. Then I realized: my life was truly going to be a gutter from now on. You left after saying just that. One year, then two passed. I paid on time, so I didn't have to sell my body, but your behavior grew stranger. Your gaze was obsessive, always watching me. That persistent stare, your breath— No matter how much I paid, the debt never shrank. Exhausted, I lost all reason and meaning to live. So, I tried to hang myself in that one-room flat. As if by design, you showed up at my house even though it wasn't collection day. I couldn't understand the words you said or the expression on your face. **Damn it... I can't even die when I want to.** My eyes closed... and when I woke up, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling and blankets. And you were there, right beside me.