Bathhouse Ballads

BJ Q/A

Questions and Answers

Any queries about bathhouses, bathhouse etiquette or simply want to share an interesting insight. Please feel free…..


8 Responses

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  1. Patrick said, on April 21, 2010 at 6:05 am

    Hi Elwood, do you mind telling me the difference between a sauna, bath house (목욕탕) and a jjimjilbang? I know there are different words for them but I am not sure if they differ.

    In your blog, you mentioned a lot about the Korean’s reaction to seeing westerner in bathhouse and that it is no longer a novelty. What is their atitude towards seeing other non-Korean Asians (I am a Chinese)? I hope you can give me some insights on that. I currently live in Canada and am planning to visit Seoul this October and definitely would like to visit a bath house.

    Also, do you have any recommendation of bathhouse to visit in Seoul?

    Thanks a lot.

    Patrick

    Reply
  2. Nick Elwood said, on April 21, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Patrick, there are basically two main types: a JJimjilbang and a mogyotang. Usually both can be found side by side especially when attached to a sports complex.

    A Mogyotang is a bathhouse which is segregated into male and female and where bathing is naked. Some people refer to these as Saunas as today this is the closest working definition for westerners, especially Europeans, as historically, ‘bathhouses’ were places with individual baths where working class people bathed prior to the introduction of baths in their houses. Indeed, I can remember a bathhouse when I was a boy, though it may not have functioned as one at the time. They were also attached to public swimming pools. (also called ‘baths.’)

    So, ‘sauna’ is a term often used to describe bathhouses but of course, within a bathhouse complex your will find a selection of saunas, eg: steam room, dry sauna, bamboo sauna, charcoal sauna, salt room, jade sauna and even gold and silver saunas. There is much variation. Also, you will find various pools and the usual shower facilities.

    A Jjimjilbang is quite different – firstly it is not segregated and at the reception you will be given a robe or shorts and a t-shirt, often colour coordinated, (male, female, children) though you can also take your own, which you wear in the jjimjilbang. Basically, a jjimjilbang is a large recreation facility and once again there is an enormous variation. The floors are ondol, so are heated from underneath and you will find a range of saunas – usually dry and using various minerals etc, believed to enhance well being. You may also find an ice room. There are often restaurants, pc rooms, TVs, massage chairs, games rooms and in some cases, though I have not experienced this myself – cinemas. Usually, if you’ve paid for the jjimjilbang you will undress in the same changing rooms that provides access to the mogyotang, so you can use both facilities as you please.

    There are other types of sauna – more specifically sauna than those above and often rural and small. Some traditional bars, for example, have a simple sauna room.

    As for reactions, I would imagine you’d fit in more than I do Patrick, being Chinese and more difficult to tell apart from a Korean, than a westerner! Some of my Korean friends tell me they cannot easily tell a Korean from a Chinese person. I know I am western, but I was served by a Chinese woman in a restaurant a few weeks ago and wouldn’t have known unless told.

    I am aware of Koreans noticing me when I first walk in to a complex, but it is all very fleeting and friendly and once you make any eye contact with them they will look away. In Seoul, I would imagine you would cause even less of a stir. Living in Daegu, I do not know too much about Seoul facilities but here is a useful link: http://saunasinkorea.blogspot.com/

    If you go to my links you will also find ‘Ask a Korean,’ who may be able to give you specific Seoul, related information. I have heard of a Seoul complex with an open air roof top and also one with a capacity for 5000 people. Be sure to drop in later as I have much to add about jjimjilbangs and other related stuff.

    I hope this has been useful. Good luck with the trip!

    Nick

    Reply
  3. Noel said, on June 9, 2010 at 12:07 pm

    Hey, a really interesting site. Can you tell me, I’m on the large size. Do chimchilpang uniforms fit fat people?
    Thanks

    Reply
  4. Nick said, on June 10, 2010 at 2:28 am

    If you cannot buy your clothes size in Korea I doubt you will find your size in a jjimjilbang. However, you can simply take along a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and wear these instead. I’ve also known people who’ve asked the jjimjilbang to provide a particular size ‘uniform’ but of course, they had to pay for this and such an agreement depends on both knowing the establishment’s management and being a regular user. In my experience, your own t-shirt and shorts is quite acceptable. Good luck!

    Reply
  5. Walid said, on January 22, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    Hi! I really like your blog. It cleared up some questions i had regarding korean bathhouse culture.i was in SK in 2008-2009 and visited a couple of jjimjilbangs. I struggled with the western percetion of a bunch of naked guys chilling in the water. But i found the experience educating.
    My question to you is: do people sleep naked in jjimjilbangs? In one of ur posts it seemed like u did wen u found a guy groping ur crotch. And, also, woodies. Do u hav any advice? I never got one wen i was there bt i lived with the fear of getting an involuntary woody in there. I dont want to traumitize the kids.

    Thanx,
    Wal

    Reply
    • 努江虎-노강호 said, on January 23, 2012 at 8:24 am

      Thanks for your visit. I’m not sure where you read someone grouped my crotch as I don’t recall such an experience and surely wouldn’t forget it. ‘Woodies,’ never had one in a bathhouse but the the quickest way to dispel one is to put something like a cotton bud (Q-tip) in your ear. When boys get circumcised here that’s the advice from the doctor and it instantly withers a woody. Teenage lads with bathhouse boners is one thing, they usually can’t help it but it’s certainly the last thing an adult wants. As for sleeping in jjimjilbangs naked – no they don’t because a jjimjilbang s mixed male and female. If you mean in the bathhouse, then yes, they do. Bathhouses are a great place to take a nap and when you wake up all groggy you can jump in the cold pool.

      Reply
      • Walid said, on January 23, 2012 at 1:45 pm

        Thank you for your reply. I had your blog confused with another with regards to the groping. I’m reading up on other people’s experiences in mogyoktang and jjimjilbang and comparing theirs to mine.

      • 努江虎-노강호 said, on January 24, 2012 at 10:46 pm

        Thanks.


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