Korean Job Discussion Forums

[newinseoul]

Hi

I was walking home tonight and stumbled by a massage parlor. I could smell the oils as I was walking by. I've been dying for a massage since I arrived a month ago in Seoul (sleeping on hard as nails bed). I asked her the price and she said "30,000 won." Well she didn't exactly say that but I got her to write it down.

Does anyone know if this is a reasonable price for a massage? She said it was for an hour and a half (this is really cheap compared to Canada). My other question is, has anyone ever had a massage in Korea? I want to know what I'm getting myself into. It is a genuine massage parlour and not one with the revolving barber sign. What are Korean massages like? Swedish massages are nice and relaxing. I heard that Thai massages are rough.

[ed4444]

Many Korean people get massages in public bathrooms. That would probably be the best way to get one at a reasonable price. You may need to ask a Korean person to help you find a public bathroom that offers it though.

[kangnam mafioso]

at the bath houses or saunas you will get a very rough scrub down/ massage by someone the same sex as you. at the massage places, it should be better/ done by female w/ oils, etc. make sure it is legit as many of the places offer other services.

[ulsanchris]

sports massage places should be safe. especially if you go during the day. do not to to the anma �ȸ� you can get a message there and a whole lot more. you might want to ask around your coworkers.

[ubum]

30k seems cheap compared to the US too. Hell, I might start getting one a week. But there is no way I am going into one of those bath house, a good looking well endowed waygooks like myself would never make out without being molested by 30 different pairs of eyes.

Also, I would rather a chick being the one touching me.

[kermo]

Yep, if you really want to be sure, get a Su-Po-Ju Ma-Sa-Ji (Sports Massage.)

[Swiss James]

those sports massages are not what I would call relaxing though- I mean you certainly feel better afterwards, but it's more the feeling of sweet relief you get after surviving a car crash.

[peppermint]

Koreans seem to have a higher tolerance for pain, or at least an appreciation for rough massages. I had bruises after getting a leg massage that came with a pedicure once.

[Saunagukin]

I've had several massages here and found none of them relaxing. (I kept trying different places to see if I could find a good one...to no avail.) I am a bit of a massage connoisseur, though. I am quite picky in that I want my masseuse/masseur to have a knowledge of anatomy and not massage right on my spine. All of the massages I've had here have involved "hitting"/"pounding". I don't find that relaxing at all.

However, I did have a good foot massage at Hue esthetic in Itaewon. It was accupressure/reflexology-style and he really got in there deep. It was 30,000 for 30 min and worth it.

Also, I had some female, Korean co-workers tell me NOT to get a sports massage for my husband for his bday, as the person doing the massage would likely also give him...well, you know. I see others posting here saying opposite. I'm just saying what my co-workers told me...maybe they don't know.

[ed4444]

I thought it was strange that I discovered that.

In Korea a Turkish massage meant a sexual massage
In China a Korean massage meant a sexual massage
In Thailand an Swedish massage meant a sexual massage
In Vietnam a Thai massage meant a sexual massage

You have to be careful with the massage business. Its a minefield out there!

[EFLtrainer]

I'm certified for massage in th US. Let me tell ya, it's a different style here. And you're right, it's not very relaxing, but it can be healthful. But, no, if you're looking for what you've had back home, they simply don't do Swedish/American massage here.

As for legitimacy, I found one place in Seoul long ago that was actually a massage place and nothing else. Have no idea where it was. Your best options are:

Treat yourself to a hotel stay and order a massage from the hotel. I mean a *good* hotel, not a yogwan!

Go to the public bath and get the aforementioned scrubdown.

Go to the barber shop, get your hair cut, shave, pedi/manicure and massage... ...and just say no when she touches your unmentionables.

Go to an anmashisulso... ...and just say no, as above. (Note to men: Um, you do not have to accept the "extras." Just tell them you *only* want the massage. The masseuse/masseur will be a blind person, not a half-naked girl. There's a substantial difference in cost, of course.)

Hire me. Oh, wait, that would break the conditions of my E2...

How do I kow all this? My first boss in Korea wanted to go, so I asked my colleagues what it was he was inviting me to. Needless to say it was a very interesting conversation. Learned all there was to know about the oldest profession Korean-style my first week in Korea. From a couple! My co-worker was a woman, but I became very good friends with the both of them.

Anyone checked out whether health clubs, a.k.a. gyms, are offering massage anywhere?

[EFLtrainer]

[ulsanchris]

the sports massage place that i went to for a while had a couple of girls come in after 6 in the evening. All of my massages were in the morning so it was just the owner of the place. I had a real bad back at the time and he was relaxing the muscles. The first few times were pretty damn rough. Excrutiating pain. THe one time i went in he used a wood piece to dig into my back. that hurt.

[spidey112233]

[EFLtrainer]