Korean Job Discussion Forums

special_k · Joined: 23 Mar 2010

Hi everyone!

So, I really want to have a massage but I'm not too sure how to go about it! I would guess that spas are the best place to go, however the one I go to has everything in Hangul which makes it kinds difficult. Does anyone know what 'back massage' is in Korean?

Once I have worked out where to go, what is the correct procedure? Do you wear the shorts and t-shirt they provide, or do you go in normal clothes? OR do you go naked??

Also, in the pools section, there is a part where people go and have a scrub down of some kind. Does anyone know what this is called in Korean so I can look out for the signs with prices and where to pay etc? Do you usually pay at the beginning or on the same floor as the pools where the refreshments etc are?

Sorry for all the questions! Thank you for your help!!

SeoulMan6 · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwon-do

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Jjimjilbang

It's pretty easy even if you can't communicate in Korean. See if there's a guy near the massage tables. If not, find the guy working (only one wearing shorts) and tell him you want a "massage-ee".

There are a variety of kinds, but the simplest is a soapy massage. It's about 20,000 won I think, but it's been a while so I don't remember exactly. He'll give you a good scrub and massage (20-ish minutes?) and then you shower off and you're all done. You probably pay when you turn in your key, but it all depends on the place.

Don't worry, the guys in there are pretty cool and will lead you through it.

back = 등 (deung)

special_k · Joined: 23 Mar 2010

Cool ok. I think the massage stuff is on a different floor to the rest in the one I go to. Are they usually mixed sex? I don't want to accidently walk in to the men's bit!

SeoulMan6 · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwon-do

I've never seen one where the massage is separate from the pools. It's usually with the pools since most people just do the standard soapy massage and it would make a mess if were elsewhere. Also, since everyone's naked it's not mixed gender.

Perhaps some of the larger places have separate massage areas, but that's not the norm.

The way a jimjilbang works is you that the men's pools are on one floor (example 1st floor), the women on another (3rd) and the mixed, clothes-wearing sauna and relaxation area, is in-between (2nd floor). You have to have the clothes (rental) and pay a couple dollars extra for that, but you can stay for a long time.

NYC_Gal · Joined: 08 Dec 2009

I go to a large jimjilbang in Itaewon, and there are separate areas for men and women to bathe and have massages/scrubs. A scrub runs about 18-20k, depending on the time of day or night, and a massage can be as cheap as 40 and as much as 120k, depending on the type.
There are also separate sports massage rooms on upper floors, that are coed. I prefer the naked stuff, though.

Caffeinated · Joined: 11 Feb 2010

Dragon Hill Spa in Yongsan has menus in English. There are massage tables in the unisex bath area where you can get scrubs and massages, and there's a room in the basement where you can get sports massages, facials etc.