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Retreat In Rural Seoul Charges R$ 450 For 24h Of Silence And Total Isolation Against Stress
In South Korea, an unusual retreat is attracting stressed workers and students: a voluntary “prison” where silence and introspection have become antidotes to the pressures of daily life.
Voluntary Prison Becomes Refuge Against Exhaustion In South Korea
In the rural area north of Seoul, the retreat Prison Inside Me offers a radical alternative for those suffering from chronic stress in South Korea. Since its opening in 2013, more than 2,000 people have agreed to be “prisoners” for up to 48 hours in individual cells, giving up technology and human contact.
The cells are about 5 m², with no mirrors or distractions. Guests wear blue uniforms and receive only the basics: a yoga mat, a tea set, a pen, a notebook, and simple meals like sweet potatoes and banana smoothies, served through a slot in the door. Cell phones and watches are collected upon arrival.
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Heavy Workload Motivates Search For Alternative Prison
The founder Noh Ji-Hyang came up with the idea after seeing her husband, a public prosecutor, work up to 100 hours a week. She realized that isolation could be the key to rest. In South Korea, the professional and academic pace is exhausting. In 2017, the annual average work was 2,024 hours, one of the highest among OECD countries.
This scenario of exhaustion has turned the retreat into a refuge. The rule is simple: absolute silence and zero interaction. For many, it’s the first time they can stop and just think. Visitors leave the place with a “parole certificate” and, in most cases, a sense of renewal.
Testimonials Highlight Benefits Of Isolation In South Korea
Park Hye-ri, a 28-year-old program manager, stated that she should have been working, but chose to “imprison” herself to reflect: “I decided to pause and think about my life.” Other participants report that only inside the cell did they realize that the real prison was the life they were leading outside.
The project creator summarizes the experience of many: “After the stay, they say the real prison is the routine outside.” This phrase resonates among those seeking not only physical rest but a reconnection with their own balance amid the constant pressure of South Korea.
Price And Demand For The Retreat Increase
The cost for a 24-hour stay is approximately US$ 90, about R$ 450. The space continues to gain visibility and is becoming a symbol of a growing social phenomenon: the desire to escape within South Korea.
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