After hearing so much about Korean spa jjimjilbang experience, I decided to check one out while I was in Seoul. It sounded like a unique South Korean experience that I should try at least once โ fear of public nudity be damned. The closest thing I can compare it to is an all inclusive resort. Minus the beach and the alcohol. On top of various hot tubs and themed sauna rooms, a jjimjilbang would also have all sorts of additional amenities.
At Itaewon Land you can work out at the gym, go online at the computer room, eat at their cafeteria, and watch a movie.
Other jjimjilbangs have golf ranges, swimming pools, and even concert halls. You can spend hours there and people do. They are open 24 hours and some travelers even use jjimjilbangs as a cheap overnight option.
You do have to sleep on the floor thin mattress provided and share the space with other spa goers. I chose Itaweon Land jjimjilbang because it was the closest to where I was staying in Seoul.
First thing that greeted me upstairs wasโฆ a bunch of naked women shopping. In the nudes. It quickly became apparent that same sex nudity in Korea is truly not a big deal. Although the few Western men that have gone to jjimjilbang reported being on the receiving end of some intense stares.
