Expresses that rather than doing the (undesirable) first action, the speaker would sooner do the second — often paired with 차라리 in the main clause. Variants: -을 바에는 / -을 바에야.

Examples: 그렇게 살 바에(는) 차라리 혼자 살겠어요 (Rather than live like that, I'd sooner live alone). 굶을 바에야 아르바이트라도 하겠다 (If it comes to starving, I'd at least do a part-time job).