Beyond jjimjilbang: How Korea warms up to wellness
Wellness has become an increasingly prominent part of Korea's lifestyle scene, attracting both locals and tourists. The trend, particularly centered around saunas, encompasses beauty, food, cultural experiences and a range of health and relaxation practices.
Enzyme baths are one of the latest trends, having gained attention after celebrities including actors Oh Yeon-seo and Hwang Jung-eum, singers Hyeri and Hwasa and model and TV personality Han Hye-jin shared their experiences on social media.
Visitors lie buried in a warm bed of fermented materials with only their faces exposed for around 20 to 30 minutes. The bed contains warm rice bran or cypress sawdust, heated through natural fermentation by microorganisms. Temperatures typically reach 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, generating heat without conventional heating equipment. The heat keeps the soil bed clean because germs cannot survive long at those temperatures.
The practice is said to offer health benefits, with some establishments offering specialized programs for purposes such as weight loss or postpartum recovery. The establishments claim benefits related to blood and lymphatic circulation, reducing puffiness, aiding digestion and maintaining skin health. For visitors, the appeal lies in the warmth-induced sweating and a chance at relaxation.
Enzyme saunas are among the wellness experiences going beyond the conventional sauna culture portrayed in K-drama series, often featuring colorful uniforms and sheep-shaped head towels.
Traditional Korean bathhouses, known as jjimjilbang, are typically multi-floor complexes containing both gender-separated bathing areas and communal lounges. There are pools set at different temperatures, alongside heated rooms where visitors can sweat out their stress and unwind.
Here are some alternative sauna experiences to explore in Korea.
Supsok Hanbang Land
Located in Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul, near Sinchon Station, Supsok Hanbang Land combines a traditional jjimjilbang with distinctive food offerings.
The facility offers a wide range of steam rooms set at varying temperatures, including an ice room. Its hottest room, the "kkottang," requires visitors to wear socks and cotton gloves before entering for protection.
Food is a particular delight of the experience. Apart from the traditional sauna staples including boiled eggs and a traditional sweet rice punch called sikhye, Supsok Hanbang Land allows visitors to grill their own rice cakes and sweet potatoes. A restaurant on the second floor serves Korean barbecue as well.
The facility is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission costs 17,000 won ($13), including access to the bathhouse and heated rooms.
Mugwort moxibustion
A more accessible steam experience is mugwort moxibustion. A more localized form of heat therapy, moxibustion is available in residential neighborhoods and is offered at a wide range of prices depending on the treatment and the areas of the body covered.
Visitors lie down while dried mugwort leaves are burned near specific points on the body. Sometimes, the moxibustion is placed under a chair with a hole in the middle to warm the body with steam.
The practice is said to relieve discomfort. Mugwort is used in traditional Korean medicine for its slow-burning properties, which help the steam and heat reach the body. Some people seek moxibustion for menstrual cramps, cold hands and feet, or muscle tension.
Head spas
Head spas offer a wellness experience focused on the scalp. Steam on the scalp is something you didn't know you needed, but it's a must-try experience in Korea.
The spa combines cleansing, exfoliating and massage. Facilities begin with a scalp diagnosis using magnifying cameras before recommending treatments based on the condition of the scalp and hair.
Some establishments also offer massages on the scalp, neck and shoulders, along with hair and scalp care products for use at home.
While these treatments may support scalp hygiene and relaxation, persistent symptoms such as severe flaking, itching or inflammation may require assessment by a dermatologist.
Private saunas
Traditional Korean bathhouses typically feature communal gender-specific bathing areas and shared heated rooms. Private saunas are an alternative for visitors who prefer a solo experience by themselves or one with close friends and family members.
Private saunas have increased in number since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which public bathhouses were closed to prevent infection.
Facilities vary in size, from rooms for one to those for groups of a few. Some offer women-only rooms as well.
Despite their private settings, establishments offer a range of experiences, from Korean body scrubs to a Finnish-style sauna experience featuring hot stones.
Some of the options in Seoul include Solo Sauna Repo in Noryangjin, Sisuhouse in Gangnam, Tova in Bangbae and Ona in Myeong-dong.
mjcha@heraldcorp.com