Nice calculations
I'm stunned (⊙…⊙ ) you had a whole research regarding this, It's damn amazing!! It was even an interesting info to read, I didn't know there's this kind of (gov?) system that exist which could give that much benefits...but because it wasn't implied, many readers who doesn't know about this, like me, would assume it was through plot armour too! So thank you for this researchヾ(☆▽☆)
Great work, thank you. You're a detective
hehe I was also skeptical like you coz if this happened in my country, there's NO WAY YW and SW can live that kind of life-especially YW. Maybe halfway possible but not like this. Unless YW would get some soc media help but lol. So after I read this like wayback that's the first thing I researched through. Im not Korean, never been there too, so it might be not exact but if this is written by the author so there's maybe that possibility. And oh! When I read Korean comments about this story, some of it was it was not that well accepted. They said it was cliche, typical, predictable, boring. So maybe this kind if story is just typical in Korean media/irl? Then when I did my research, I was like, oh that's maybe why.
I saw in prev comments that this is kinda plot armour. Tbh, this was my initial thought when I read the novel but then I start researching and computing and it was KINDA possible. Please don't quote me as this is self research this may vary a little irl.
Nursing home expenses
Ave monthly nursing home cost is between 900k to 1.5M won (probs the cheapest) Ofc this may mean it's just the lodging, food and care but other expenses like meds, hygiene needs etc might not be included. In the novel, The pastor/idk I was lost in translation but they are the ones helping YW, offered to help with the expenses to lower the cost. So probably the other things were shouldered by them and he only needs to pay the lodging which is 900k won.
The ave monthly salary in Korea is within 2-4M won. Since YW(MC) is a part timer he probably gets half or less. It was said in the novel he gets paid 1.2m won so he still has 300k won left. Not enough for a living yes, but he doesnt need to pay for rent-they have their own dilapidated house, he lives under gov't help too (that's why he was able to go to highschool, also probs covering the), he eats in the pizza parlor where he's working, and he only walks from and to work.
Spoiler: Towards the middle part of the novel, The pastor, told YW that they can(or probs the church idk the translation is not exact) that they can cover Gran's entire expenses in the nursing home so he no longer needs to worry abt it. Maybe it has something to do with YW's mental condition that's why he was forced by them to have a consultation. Maybe him being proven to have a mental condition will deem him not fit to be able to pay for his Gran's nursing expenses so that's that.
ML's current living condition.
His parent's occupation wasn't told in the novel/here but from what I kinda researched it's kinda possible that he'll be able to live comfortably for many many years after his parent's death.
SW(ML) lifestyle weren't well of at first, they lived in a simple apt in Seoul. It wasn't told whether his mom remarried (current stepdad) when they lived there but he said they had a lifestyle change which resulted them in living in a much larger house (where they live now).
The accident which led to their death actually is a big damage compesation claim (for the truck company). For his dad's case alone, aside from damages itself where it can amount to tens to millions of damages, You can also include financial damages where it can be computed as monthly salary (outside taxes) multiply it to possible living period that they can work. His stepdad may be getting more as they are well off, so let's say like a manager's wage (let's estimate it as yearly wage so it's easier) like 80Mwon/year times 15 years- let's say his dad's about 50yrs old and perfectly healthy can work until retirement. That's abt 1.2B won. Even if he gets at least 1B won, I saw some clauses about additional damages that should be paid, specially for the bereaved family and other things like ofc the car has to be paid off. Ntm, his dad wasn't the only ones who died. His mom, though I don't think she's working died too and him though survived needs to be compensated too including all his medical and rehab needs. If psychological trauma is also a result then another compensation as well. So let's say just say like if they just settled, and for all of them 3 in the accident they gott at least about 1-1.5Bwon compensation, that alone could probably cover SW's including YW's (SW asked YW to live with him in the future and encouraged him to go to the university with him and he pays for it too) living and studying expenses. 8-10M yearly expenses - dorm not included coz they both go home, multiplied by minimum of 4 years times for the 2 of them that's about 64-80Mwon
There also is the insurance money which is impossible that they don't have as most Koreans have this so 2x insurance. If SW is also insured, he would also be getting insurance claims for probably, rehab, and etc.
Though this may not cover like their long time living expenses, but it is more than possible his dad also has his personal savings. SW and YW is also not the type to spend lavishly on things. The only big expense SW was told in the story was when he purchased a car for both of them about 50-100M won. They also don't need to pay for rent coz SW has their family home. Living conditions in Korea is expensive mainly coz rent is expensive. Even if he has to pay property taxes, that could cover as a basic monthly rent which wouldnt hurt as much.. Also YW is not the type to spend things lavishly. My other theory is that his stepdad have his own business/maybe a family business that's why he maybe receives money still.
I also forgot, YW was hospitalised for a long time due to his self harm, but he may be covered by NHI system which also aids medical expenses for all citizens. Even if it was due to self harm, he was assessed previously to have high level of depression which can be given grant due to his mental disability.
In summary, though it's a stretch, there should be a possibility of SW living comfortably with YW for a few years until they (or maybe just SW) can earn from working. SW accident happened in December, then YW's self harm happened in August, was discharged about either Nov or December? Gran's nursing home expenses is no longer paid by them. SW probably shells out a little for extra of Grans needs.
So if SW got a maximum of 2B won from damages, personal insurace, personal savings, that should be enough for the 2 of them to live comfortably within the next 10 and averagely within the next 15years.