Microhabitat

Mi-so is a thirty-something housekeeper who prioritizes cigarettes, whiskey, and her boyfriend over basic living costs. Faced with rising rent, she plans to stop paying rent and instead stays with old band-mates. She grimly negotiates a path through a precarious housing market, taking extra work and shifting between friends’ homes. Her stubborn pragmatism exposes the fragility of urban living when basic needs are squeezed.

Han-sol is Miso's boyfriend, an aspiring cartoonist whose debts influence his choices. He volunteers for an assignment in Saudi Arabia to pay off his school debts. He expresses insecurity about Miso's dependence on others and contemplates distance, signaling strain in their relationship.

Jung-mi is a well-off band-mate who welcomes Miso into her home, offering generosity but with clear boundaries. She fears the disruption Miso's past could bring to her social standing and household. A confrontation about Miso's 'wild past' leads to Miso being asked to leave, illustrating the tension between kindness and social limits.

Jung-mi's husband is cautious and resents hosting a guest who could upend family routine. He privately objects to Miso staying, triggering arguments about hospitality and boundaries. His stance highlights the pressures of hosting and the fragility of informal support networks in a tight financial frame.

Dae-yong is a drummer whose eight-month marriage has just broken down. He offers a spare room to Miso, representing a momentary refuge within a circle of friends. He shows warmth and generosity, yet his own life remains unsettled, mirroring Miso's precarious situation.

Moon-young is a band-mate whose household becomes a potential refuge for Miso. Her life reflects social expectations around marriage, as her parents hint at marriage to their son. She maintains connections within the group and offers support when possibilities arise.

Ro-kyi is a member of Miso's circle, navigating the shared housing crisis and the dynamics of friendship under stress. The group’s interactions reveal both solidarity and strain as they move through different living arrangements.

Ro-kyi's mother is a maternal figure present within the group, offering guidance and care when the housing crisis intensifies. Her presence underscores family influence and support systems that punctuate the friends' precarious living situation.

Park Ji-young is the Real Estate Manager who oversees rental matters and interacts with Miso about securing a place to stay. Her role embodies the administrative side of housing, illustrating how institutional processes shape personal lives.