The first time at a jjim jil bang can be quite a baffling experience. The Korean sauna may seem a bit daunting if not outright surreal for the uninitiated foreigner. All around you are people wearing funny outfits (boys in blue, girls in pink) that make them look like they are members of a strange cult. Then they go inside these infernally hot rooms that look like dungeons and sit on potato sacks.
so why is it baffling? - u stripped naked , - bath together naked, - surrounded by lots of naked people bath together who care less how u look. I pretty much blend in well since im asian as well. ;0
A basic introduction about jimjilbang. Based on the one i went, there is 4 floors to the facility.
1st floor is the women's area,
2nd floors is the lobby / reception ,
3rd floors is the communal area.
4th floors is the male's area.
Male and female area is completely segregated for privacy issue. You wouldn't want to stumble a naked male/female in surprise would you? Basically there is 2 lockers 1 for ur shoes and the other one for ur belongings. After changing into the comfy wear they provide, you head off to the 3rd floor which is the communal area.
Thiss big common areas like a public living room with huge selection of facilities that could be used. there were TV room, Cinema room, Restaurant, Snacks bar, Computer for internet, Communal Saunas, and etc. depending on which Sauna u go . It's shared between the male and the female, where we would happily talk, play , munching snacks, and downing soju.
The heat of the sauna increases your circulation and makes you sweat profusely, it has a relaxing cathartic effect. Also increasesing your metabolism as well as helping to relieve shoulder, head and neck pain. It also improves skin quality and loosens stiff muscles.
After all the sweating and gossiping, it's time to freshen up. Heading back to your respective gender specified floor and enjoy the rest of the services to be offered.
In my male floor,
There are shower area, standing or on a stool and it's pretty normal seeing to guys scrubbing each others back although you may find it slight awkward. But make sure you do shower before jumping into the pools and no swimming suits in the pools! clothes are prohibited!
Do sit and relax in the pools thats shared with other people ( this is my awkward point, i have no idea what to do and where to look at, at this point... ) Pools are set in varied constant temperature, 15 ,25 ,37 ,45 ,60 degree... The process is more like going from medium hot, to hot then closing your pores by dipping yourself in the chilling water. It does make sense right?
The season i went to Korea was winter.. it's nice dipping yourself in a hot pool when outside is freeezing -10 degree, the hottest i've gone is 45 degree.. i tried going into 60 and went in too quickly, underestimating how hot 60 degree was. I absolutely created a scene in the peaceful, quiet environment, immediately jump out of the pool when my skin was in contact with the 60 degree hot pool... as if i am drowning in a knee height water level pool. RIDICULOUS -,-
If you are brave and don`t have sensitive skin, you can try the body scrub. Naked to the world, you will like down on a plastic table. Here, ajusshi will scrub you from head to toe with a special exfoliating glove. must say, never before have I seen so much dead skin come off the body. Definitely an awkward, shy moment for me as well cost me (16000w ).It is important to have u soak in hot so exfoliating skin would be easier later on..
That kinda conclude my trip to the first jimjilbang.. after the first, me and theQings went to jimjilbang ourselves, in different places like a pro. It is absolutely rejuvenating, and relaxing. Be warned tho! after a session in jimjilbang, u tend to be really lazy, and sleep. The qings slept almost the whole day after it. even me, i cant drag her out of the bed...
Every time I go to the sauna, I can`t help but notice all the strange body types walking around. Some men have strange scars or tatoo.... Some people have way too much hair in places where the sun don't shine. Then a fear strikes me. They must be scrutinizing me in the same way! But alas, there is no time to be shy at the sauna. Koreans have been bathing in public for ages and being naked together actually fosters a feeling of camaraderie.
Usually when I were ask, if i want to get naked and sit in a hot bath together, its a no straightaway. Then on second thought, im in Korea, it's a culture i have to experience, theQing doesn't mind.. CHOP! lets go ! Try not to look like an akward niddle school student as you now walk around naked. haha.. strong recommended and a must if u're heading to KOREA!
COST : 5000w - 20000w
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