Jjimjilbangs Revisited

Written by Allison Tim

With plenty of locations to choose from, low prices, and even 24-hour admission, jjimjilbang, or public bathhouses, are an affordable and convenient way to rejuvenate oneself after a long day. A day at the spa seemed like the perfect remedy after two crowded and cold days in Pyeongchang. On my return to Seoul, I planned a visit to a jjimjilbang to see what all the hype was about. From what I’d heard, it was a simple process: “You just go into different pools. Some are hot and some are cold.” Sounds easy.

Yet, there’s a lot more to a jjimjilbang than baths and bare bodies. While they’re popular places for Koreans to gather, the sheer number of options and add-ons can be overwhelming for newbies. Throw in some nudity, and a trip to your local jjimjilbang might not be so simple after all. So, if you’re thinking of a day at the spa, here are some things to consider.

Bring (or Make) a Friend
Navigating the variety of pools, saunas, and scrubs is enough to confuse the uninitiated, so backup may be necessary. It’s not uncommon for a group of friends to meet up at a jjimjilbang after work, and bringing a friend along for the ride can help calm your nerves.

Even if you go alone, you’ll often find strangers who are willing to help – like the mother-daughter pair who approached me at the front desk while I looked hopelessly through a list of services and treatments. They were fans of Korean spas back in New York and recommended a few different options. A little later, I went down to the changing room, where another woman, detecting my rookie status, showed me where to put my stuff and the location of the showers. Whether you prefer to go alone or with a friend, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Disconnect
Water and technology don’t mix well, so leave any phones or devices in your locker. Disconnecting can be hard, but going to a jjimjilbang is a great opportunity to take a break from social media. You can get back to any missed messages or calls when you leave, and your eyes will thank you. Instead of staring at a screen, you can explore your own thoughts through meditation or those of others with a good book.

Stay Flexible
To fully unwind and enjoy all that a jjimjilbang has to offer, clear your schedule. Beyond the baths and saunas, a jjimjilbang also offers massages, facials, hair and skin treatments, as well as food, drinks, and games. Many stay open 24 hours and even have space available for you to take a quick nap or stay the night.

With so many options, it’s easy to lose track of time. I made the mistake of scheduling my first visit to a jjimjilbang before a movie screening. Although I made it to the opening credits, I could have done without the adrenaline rush or wet hair. So, save yourself the unnecessary stress and keep your post-jjimjilbang plans flexible.

Get Comfortable
Yes, you’ll be naked. Your first step after changing out of your clothes and into the jjimjilbang uniform is to shower, after which you can head to the baths. As somebody who goes to the gym often, getting naked and showering in front of a room full of strangers is routine. It may take time for you to feel comfortable disrobing in front of a crowd, especially if you’re the only foreigner in the room, but soon it’ll feel, well, natural.

For me, the hardest part came after taking it all off. At a jjimjilbang, you’ll spend a lot of time lounging like you’re back at home. Whether you’re in a bath, a sauna, or lying on a table while an employee scrapes off layers of dead skin from your body, you’ll spend most of your energy moving from one sedentary position to the next.

On my first trip, I was admittedly bored. I moved from bath to sauna and back again, but still couldn’t figure out why a jjimjilbang was so special. Sure, there are some positive outcomes from going to a jjimjilbang, like how soft and smooth your skin is after a vigorous scrub. But why would someone spend hours each week at one?

It wasn’t until a while after my first visit that I realized what makes the jjimjilbang unique. Between the detoxifying and exfoliating that go on at a jjimjilbang, there’s another more obscure perk – idle time. A jjimjilbang is a place where you can commit mind and body to doing close to nothing. It’s not a popular notion, especially in a fast-paced society, but it should be. So, if wading around in a heated pool doesn’t sound like the most productive way to spend an afternoon, it might be time to try it.

The Author
Allison Tim is a writer, teacher, and proud pedestrian living in Gwangju. After obtaining her BA in international studies, she spent the following years between the Midwest and Far East, taking photographs, enjoying window seats, and taking gratuitous coffee breaks.

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