Getting naked in the world’s largest department store
Busan, South Korea — In the US, a mall is where you can purchase T-shirts from the Gap and grab a slice of pizza from Sbarro.
However, in South Korea, it’s a location where you can partake in a jjimjilbang, a feature of the nation’s distinctive spa culture.
Although the nation’s several contemporary mega-malls contain upscale spas, none are quite as remarkable as the one located in the southern seaside city of Busan.
This striking white and silver edifice may be mistaken for a museum of design or an exclusive condominium complex. At 3.16 million square feet, Shinsegae Centum City is actually the largest department store in the world.
Shoppers and locals alike come into Spa Land thru a black glass door beyond the bewildering rows of luxury purses and the Chanel beauty counter.
This isn’t a place to get pampered while sitting in a private room. Jjimjilbangs, which are made up of the Korean terms jjimjil (hot therapy) and bang (room), resemble a hybrid of a Finnish sauna and a Japanese onsen. After entering areas designated for each gender, visitors undress and take a dip in one of the available warm pools. You already know what a jjimjilbang is like if you’ve seen the scene in K-Pop Demon Hunters where the females wrap towels over their hair and relax in the warm bath together.
It’s enjoyable to soak and unwind in hot water. The most amazing part, tho, comes after you’ve soaked: a thorough body scrubdown that gives you the impression that you’ve been reborn with fresh newborn skin.
Alright, so getting naked in the midst of a posh mall and undressing in front of strangers may seem bizarre. But since the nation’s first jjimjilbang opened right here in Busan, it’s a very fitting and unique Korean experience.
The old history of a young tradition
The idea of resting and recuperating from illness in heated chambers dates back to the Joseon dynasty in Korea, according to Lee In-hye, author of “History of Bathing.
People used to lie down on floors that were heated by an ondol system in order to stay warm. However, as the nation developed, an increasing number of people started relocating from traditional Korean homes to urban apartment buildings with centralized heating systems.
However, it wasn’t the same for some folks. According to Lee, a group of Busan ladies attempted to recreate an ondol for themselves by creating a sort of city-specific bath house by lying down on a heated floor in a common building. Consequently, the contemporary jjimjilbang emerged.
The concept quickly gained popularity in Seoul, especially in the crowded Gangnam district. The South Korean government set regulations for jjimjilbangs and granted them legal recognition in July 1995.
The concept quickly gained popularity in Seoul, especially in the crowded Gangnam district. With beauty services, snack bars, nail salons, cafes, and sleeping accommodations, they have developed into a full-service sector. Those who are genuinely dedicated can stay there all day without having to engage with the outside world.
While some foreigners may find it difficult to be nude in public, it may also be very empowering. You may witness a mother, grandmother, and granddaughter hanging around and chatting while they soak because multigenerational groups of women frequently visit the jjimjilbang together. Younger women assist older women in getting out of the bathtub without slipping, while friends alternately pin up each other’s hair. Body positivity is more than just a catchphrase here.
Getting ready for the scrubdown
Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, refers to the widespread appeal of South Korean cuisine, films, music, and cosmetics. Ten years ago, visitors from other countries would have stayed in Seoul for one or two days before leaving. Travelers are now spending more time traveling throughout the nation, and Busan provides a more relaxed alternative to the capital.
Another benefit of its location is that natural spring water is poured into the city’s jjimjilbangs from deep underground.
Shinsegae Centum City Spa Land’s convenience, proximity, and English-friendliness make it an ideal place to start for anyone visiting South Korea for the first time or who is unfamiliar with communal spas. With a 50/50 split of locals and foreigners on a typical day, it has grown in popularity among the foreign visitors that have been swarming South Korea. There are 22 pools total, varying in size and temperature. There is no right or wrong response; some tourists will select one and simply remain there to unwind for a bit, while others move on to try other options.
There are a number of rooms in Spa Land, including charcoal and red clay saunas. Additionally, management told CNN that they are constantly attempting to introduce new amenities because of the spa’s popularity with foreign tourists.
“We offer unique features like the popular “sheep head towel” zone, themed sauna rooms with different temperatures, and outdoor foot baths to help visitors experience Korea’s unique jjimjilbang and spa culture,” says Choi Jae-kwang, manager of Spa Land. The white towels that many visitors use to tie up their hair are folded into a design that resembles fluffy sheep to create sheep head towels.
He continues, “We aim to be more than just a place to unwind.” “We want to make Spa Land the top K-spa destination.
Tattoos are prohibited, according to a prominent notice at the entry, however this policy appears to be applied selectively, especially to those whose ink is concealed by clothing. In addition to two white hand towels, shorts, and a t-shirt they can wear in the locker room, guests are given a bracelet with a number that corresponds to their assigned locker.
Guests enter the main spa after undressing and putting their stuff in a locker. They must first use one of the showers on the right; shampoo and body cleanser are available, but there are also vending machines where they can purchase items like face wash. To prevent their hair from dripping into the water, people with long hair should tie it up.
Visitors can choose from a variety of pools after that. Every one of them has a big sign in front that displays the water’s temperature (unfortunately for Americans, it’s in Celsius), and an employe stops by from time to time to double-check the figure.
However, world’s largest department store it’s time to register for a body scrub, known as ttaemiri in Korean, before entering the water.
According to author Lee, “one of the best ways to experience the essence of Korean bathing culture is having a scrub and enjoying the sauna and jjimjilbang.
The spa manager has a whiteboard with available attendants and time slots to the left of the pool room door. If you don’t speak Korean, it’s okay; just show her your bracelet number, and she’ll schedule you for the next class. When your time comes up, she will come around with a little white board with the next number on it, so it won’t be an issue if you don’t have a watch. Soaking for a while ensures that your skin is warmed up and prepared for the scrub.
You must lie down on a plastic-covered massage table as soon as you enter the spa. After that, an ajumma (auntie) dressed only in your underpants will rinse you with warm, soapy water before using scratchy hand gloves to scrub every last piece of extra skin off your body, inch by inch. She might ask you to move so she can reach the sides of your chest, such as by placing your hands above your head.
The aunts are professional and effective, but it might feel vulnerable. They will wash you down with a pail of warm water in between scrub sessions and then ask you to shift to the side or turn over.
Smartphones are one significant contemporary addition to the jjimjilbang, despite the fact that many of its components have their roots in Korean history.
The author and authority on bathing culture, Lee, advises spa guests to be aware that they are in a room full of nude individuals.
The most crucial guideline is to avoid recording videos or making video calls. It could be okay to take a selfie of yourself alone, but you shouldn’t record a reel or post anything on social media, she advises.
Additionally, people are picky about personal hygiene and generally don’t appreciate seeing hair in baths. It’s also crucial to avoid using too many towels, talking too loudly, or dripping water everyplace after taking a bath because these are communal areas.
However, the majority of the regulations are in place to allow people to unwind rather than to restrict enjoyment. Unplugging and disconnecting your smartphone can be justified by the possibility of dropping it into water that is 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lee continues, “A jjimjilbang can feel as comfortable as your own room.
Additionally, compared to a luxury watch, which you can also get here, the admission cost is only 20,000 won ($14).