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2020.06.27 19:18

33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave #32 K-Sauna: Jjimjilbang, “The Disneyland of Spas”

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33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave #32 Spa, Korean Style

#32 K-Sauna: Jjimjilbang, "The Disneyland of Spas"

*Note to Readers

The columns published in the Zoom section of NYCultureBeat contain selected excerpts—typically the opening paragraphs—from each chapter of the book 33 Keys to Understanding the Korean Wave: Beyond BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game (2025). These previews are meant to introduce the book’s themes and tone.

The complete book—featuring 33 updated chapters and new cultural insights—is available in both paperback and hardcover editions:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HYLVCL

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7HZ34Y3

Olympus Spa in Lynnwood, Washington. Visit Olympus Spa at https://olympusspa.com

Throughout their extensive history, Koreans have faced numerous adversities, including invasions by foreign powers, colonization, war, division, and poverty. Today, they navigate a high daily stress index due to fierce competition in a limited land area. Despite these challenges, Koreans have mastered the art of stress relief. Indulging in delicious restaurants, bars, karaoke, and engaging in singing and dancing – these activities are ingrained in the Korean people’s DNA. They are a resilient people, known for eating until they are full, drinking until they get drunk, singing until they are hoarse in karaoke rooms, and dancing until they collapse to release their frustrations. Koreans exhibit determination and endurance, possessing a national character that oscillates between fiery passion and icy composure.

Korean sauna culture, a unique method for stress relief, is a testament to the Korean way of life. Utilizing an “Italy towel” (a rough-textured towel) to exfoliate, alternating between hot and cold baths, warming the body in a fire oven, and enjoying hot and spicy soup – these practices rejuvenate the body and alleviate stress. A people who appreciate not only steam rooms and hot baths (yeoltang) but also hot soup (tang), Koreans are masters of detox. We like it hot!

Today, Korean bathing culture, also known as Jjimjilbang (Korean facility that’s a bathhouse, sauna and spa rolled into one), is gaining global popularity. It is no longer uncommon to find Westerners comfortably lying naked, being attended to by Korean staff armed with Italy towels, and savoring bibimbap. Korean Spas have evolved into a multi-purpose leisure culture, often referred to as the “Disneyland of Spas,” offering facilities such as scrubbing, sauna, skin care, massage, relaxation, Korean restaurants, and sometimes even computer rooms, karaoke rooms, and mini movie theaters. The allure of Korean saunas transcends cultural boundaries, and Korean spas are now becoming a global phenomenon.