An Electric Rice Cooker in the Underground Parking Outlet... Controversy Grows but Suddenly Reverses with 'That Story'

Online Backlash Floods In... Turns Out to Be Day Laborer

A post criticizing someone for using an electric rice cooker in an apartment underground parking lot, calling them an "electricity thief," has become a hot topic. It was later revealed that the owner of the rice cooker was a day laborer who came to wallpaper the apartment.

[Image source=Online community BobaeDream capture]

Recently, a post titled "Electricity thief posted in the apartment group chat" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, shared a message from the apartment residents' group chat, where one resident pointed out, "I passed by building 114 and saw something strange plugged into an outlet." The accompanying photo showed a rice cooker plugged into an outlet on a pillar in the underground parking lot. Another resident who saw this expressed discomfort, saying, "Who would cook rice like that...?"

Netizens who saw the post immediately criticized the rice cooker owner with comments like, "How much are they trying to save on electricity bills?", "That's outrageous," and "It must be hard to carry it up and down." On the other hand, some responded with empathy, saying, "Since the apartment has no break room, maybe the cleaning or security staff are cooking their meals," "I hope this isn't a sad story," and "Apartments built 20 to 30 years ago often lack separate break spaces, so workers sometimes prepare a meal."

The owner of the rice cooker, who became the subject of residents' and netizens' discussions, was revealed the next day. On the 31st, Mr. A reported that the rice cooker owner was a day laborer providing wallpaper after-service in the apartment. He posted again, saying, "I found out late that the rice cooker was used by the people doing the wallpapering."

He added, "I am forced to edit the original post to offer an apology. Reading the comments made me realize how thoughtless I was, and I feel heavy-hearted." He continued, "I wanted to delete the post out of guilt, but I couldn't. I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt. I also apologize to the apartment residents who were misunderstood because of my actions." In response, one netizen commented, "We should refrain from blindly criticizing after posting a few photos on a bulletin board."