After a 20-year-old college student going through financial hardship posted on a secondhand marketplace asking for side dishes to share, the story spread that neighbors in the area handed over food and daily necessities.
On the 11th, posts containing the story of a college student identified as A were uploaded to several online communities and social media (SNS). A introduced the student as a college student who came up to Seoul from the provinces for the first time this year and started living alone, and shared the student's story.
A recently posted an article titled "Please help even a little" on the secondhand marketplace "karrot." A wrote, "My family isn't well-off, and our finances have worsened, so I don't receive any allowance at all," and added, "Even if I get a scholarship, I can't set anything aside because it goes to tuition, and my part-time wages all disappear to pay the rent." A continued, "I've tried to hold out as long as I could, but it's too hard, so I'm writing this," and said, "I'm really fine with not being able to buy clothes or watch things, but I'm so hungry."
A also wrote, "Even if I try to make small meals at home, plain rice won't go down without side dishes," and added, "If anyone is able, please share even a little bit of side dishes. I would be very grateful even if you only give kimchi."
After A's post went up, help from local residents reportedly followed. Residents are said to have given A side dishes, ramen, snacks, meat, instant foods, and drinks. Some residents drove over to deliver food in person, while another reportedly left only side dishes quietly so A would not feel burdened. A said one resident hugged A and even saved the contact as "Princess." Although A said it was already enough, there was also a neighbor who still made sure to bring food.
Internet users who came across the story reacted by saying, "It was good to have the courage to ask for help," "There are still many warm neighbors," and "It makes me think about what it would be like if my child were in that situation."