Actor Sa Mi-ja expresses interest in luxury senior living with W1.17b deposit

Actor Sa Mi-ja, 86, has expressed interest in moving into a luxury senior living facility with a deposit of over 1.17 billion won.

A video titled "Must-watch for planning your parents' retirement" was uploaded Friday to the YouTube channel "Not Omija, Sa Mi-ja." In the video, Sa visited a senior living facility with her husband, Kim Kwan-su.

Kim revealed that he had suggested moving into a senior living facility three years ago, but that Sa had been opposed at the time. Sa said her feelings had since changed. "My mind has turned around now," she said. "But you're the one who says you don't want to go anymore. Still, if you say you like it, I could follow along."

The couple then toured the facility's amenities. In addition to various community spaces, the facility offered a personalized health management system, including a dedicated nurse assigned to monitor each resident's health.

After looking at a unit measuring about 92 square meters, Sa said, "The size is just right for me," and asked about the price. The unit carried a deposit of 1.17 billion won ($848,000) to 1.18 billion won, with monthly living expenses of 3.15 million won for one person and 3.9 million won for two.

"I was envious — I had always preferred this kind of system," Sa said. "I had thought I should go to a place like this, but this is my first time actually visiting." She added that while the unit was about a third the size of her current home, it was packed with everything she needed. "At first I was indifferent, but the more I looked around, the more I wanted to come here," she said.

Her husband said he also wanted to move in, but that selling their current apartment would have to come first. Sa made clear just how eager she was, saying she would come alone if necessary. "The idea of living with the kids doesn't suit me — I don't want to live together with them," she said. "I think I'd come here on my own even if it meant living separately from my husband." She also said she had previously planned to move into a jeonse after selling the apartment, but no longer felt that was necessary. "Coming to a place like this feels more comfortable to me," she said.

Meanwhile, in a video released last month, Sa and Kim said they had listed their home for sale in preparation for a move but were struggling to find a buyer. Sa, who lives in an apartment in Yongsan valued at around 6 billion won, said, "If only the apartment would sell, I'd feel so much better. I don't want to live with anyone else, and I don't want to move somewhere cramped. Who moves to a cramped place when they're about to die?" A shaman who appeared in the video said the apartment would sell this year, raising her hopes.

min3654@heraldcorp.com