Debate Over Community Facility Maintenance Costs
At Raemian One Bailey, located in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, which is one of the most expensive apartment complexes in South Korea, the male sauna scrubber has recently disappeared following the removal of communal shampoo.
The male sauna in the community facilities at Raemian One Bailey recently stopped employing a scrubber. When residents first moved in, the scrubber provided services in exchange for cash payments. However, after a complaint was filed with the district office, the apartment management changed the payment system to a monthly salary for the scrubber.
Some residents objected to this, arguing that "it is unfair for all residents to share the salary when only a few use the service." As a result of this opposition, the contract was eventually terminated, and there is currently no scrubber in the male sauna.
In contrast, a scrubber is still employed in the female sauna. It is reported that the female sauna scrubber was hired as a safety manager and received a monthly salary of around 2 million won.
The "sauna controversy" began earlier with the so-called shampoo incident. The apartment management, following a decision by the residents' representative meeting, decided to provide only the bare essentials such as toothpaste and soap, and to stop supplying communal items like shampoo, body wash, and lotion. This was because some residents were taking shampoo home in empty bottles or doing laundry in the sauna, leading to excessive consumption. In fact, the cost of purchasing communal items reportedly soared from about 1.5 million won per month at the beginning of occupancy to over 3 million won recently.
Opinions were also divided over the discontinuation of communal items. Some criticized the move, saying, "People are being overly sensitive about saving just 500 won per household," while others argued, "There is no reason for residents who do not use these items to bear the cost."
One Bailey is also known for frequent internal controversies. Last year, the complex made headlines by hosting a group matchmaking event for single residents. The event, which drew 300 to 400 participants and included residents from other nearby high-end apartments, was criticized by some as a blatant display of inherited wealth.
Meanwhile, One Bailey, which was completed in August 2023 in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, continues to set record prices with every transaction. Recently, a 59-square-meter unit was sold for 4.2 billion won, and an 84-square-meter unit was sold for 7 billion won. Raemian One Bailey is the first apartment where the price per 3.3 square meters for a standard-sized unit has exceeded 200 million won. A 116-square-meter unit was sold for 8 billion won, and a 133-square-meter unit for 10.6 billion won. The price per 3.3 square meters reached 261.14 million won, marking the highest price ever recorded for a multi-family residence in South Korea based on this standard.
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