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Prison Inside Me in Hongcheon, South Korea, is a mock penitentiary center where people surrender their belongings, submit to strict rules, and stay locked in a cell—voluntarily. While you usually hear of people trying to escape from prisons, South Koreans are actually paying to go to prison for an escape. Check out this gallery to see just what's so appealing about this curious confinement.

▲People pay US$90 per day to be locked in a 5-square-meter (54-square-foot) cell.

▲Built in 2013, the fake prison has hosted more than 2,000 people, ranging from office workers and corporate bosses, to students and stay-at-home mothers.

▲“Inmates” are not allowed to talk to one another, ensuring that you get the most of your confinement.

▲You must surrender your cell phone upon entry, and not even the use of clocks is permitted.

▲Patrons sleep on the floor near a toilet, in a cramped room with no mirror.

▲Once admitted, inmates swap their clothes for a blue prison uniform.

▲They also receive a yoga mat, a pen, and a notebook.

▲After all, they're paying customers.

▲Inmates are subject to a strict diet, including rice porridge for breakfast, and sweet potato and a banana shake for dinner.

▲There is also a guidebook, but the majority of the time is spent in the small cell with a diary for reflection, a mat for your back, and a panic button for emergencies.

▲Keeping in theme, at the end of the “sentence,” participants receive a certificate of parole.

▲The prison is so successful because so many people are seeking relief from South Korea's demanding work, academic culture, and the accompanying stresses of daily life.

▲According to Reuters, co-founder Noh Ji-Hyang was inspired to create the faux prison when her husband, who worked 100-hour weeks, told her that “he would rather go into solitary confinement for a week to take a rest and feel better.”

▲South Koreans reportedly work more hours per week on average than almost every other country besides Mexico and Costa Rica.

▲Reports say the hyper-competitive school and work environment of the country heavily influences the high stress and suicide rates.

▲In 2017, hundreds of South Koreans reportedly died due to being overworked, including one man who was working over 100 hours a week in the time leading up to his passing.

▲Once “inmates” cut themselves off from their daily life, they find the rare chance to just be.

▲The government has since taken measures to help citizens work less and earn more, by raising the minimum wage and lowering the legal cap on working hours from 68 to 52 hours per week.

▲Park Hye-Ri, a startup business program manager, told Reuters that she shouldn't even be at the prison because of how much work she has to do, “But I decided to pause and look back at myself for a better life.”

▲“I can't hear anything now,” Hye-Ri said in her blue uniform. “It is very quiet which helps me concentrate [on myself]...this prison gives me a sense of freedom.”

▲No social media, no work e-mails, no news updates, no Candy Crush, no calls or texts, and no flooding your brain with cheap dopamine!

▲A 37-year-old computer programmer explained that he chose prison because he didn't think he was growing as a person, and he was so preoccupied with worrying about his family until…

▲Alone and isolated, he was able to rid himself of those feelings and worries. “After spending a week here, I realized all these concerns were delusions and I was able to free myself from them and own my life.”

▲Visitors usually only spend 24-48 hours at the facility, though it's possible to stay up to a week. The time is short enough, and the experience concentrated enough, to hit refresh without falling far behind.

▲Kwon Yong-seok, the other co-founder, said he doesn't think a 48-hour stay will change someone's life, but that it does offer the chance to spark a long-lasting change.

▲"Some have even described it as the greatest gift they've given themselves," he said.

▲Noh Ji-Hyang said that while people are reluctant to experience something so “unnatural and stuffy” as a prison cell, after participants are released, they say, “This is not a prison, the real prison is where we return to.”

▲You might want to rethink your daily life.

▲Check out these beautiful island prisons around the world.