Korean Job Discussion Forums

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

What's the deal with unheated bathrooms?

I'm kicking myself for not having looked into this issue when we were apartment shopping during the summertime. It is absolutely freezing in my bathroom these days. I actually dread taking a #2 at home...

Since Korea has a fairly long and cold winter, why do they build homes that don't have heat in the bathroom?

Just for the record, I live in what Koreans would call a "villa". I live on the top floor (4th floor).

So, do you have heat in your bathroom, and why do you think some (many/most?) homes have no heat in the bathroom? Also, if you don't have heat in the bathroom, what's your trick to warm it up?

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

For the first time ever, I have a heated home bathroom in Korea. It's delightful! There is a small radiator on the wall next to the toilet, connected to the ondul system. In my old (and very cold) house, I had a small electric heater that I used to pre-heat the bathroom before a shower, and in extreme cases kept in the bathroom doorway but out of the way of flying water during my shower.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

This really bothers me too.

I am not sure I would pay the money but if it is really bothering you, you can buy one of those high-tech toilets with the bidets and all; I believe they come with heated seats.

Satin · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Location: Texas

Not only was the seat cold (thank heavens I'm not a reader-pooper!), but the tile floors were even colder! My apartment was so small, I usually left the door open to keep it warm.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I have two cats, so if there's ever a slightly larger one lying in the litterbox, none will be the wiser... Wink

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

The bathrooms aren't heated in my hostel.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

No problems. I haven't used the ondol yet this winter. My apartment is the goyeol superstar. At school though it's another story. The halls and bathrooms aren't heated, and I can see my breath walking around in there. One of those things that I wonder about.. Koreans seem to be at a loss when it comes to mastering temperature regulation techniques.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

A million and one filthy, unsanitary, digusting, unusual, and atrocious problems with Korean bathrooms, and you're concerned about the temperature???

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I was referring to public bathrooms.

My toilet is a throne, and warm at that!

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Two people so far have said they have heated bathrooms. I am shocked that anyone has one. I've never seen or heard of one before.

My theory: For 5,000 years Koreans used outhouses. When they moved into high rise apartments, the nostalgia button kicked in and they wanted to keep at least one tradition going. For some reason, cold buns and freezing feet won the vote.

Theory #2: The architects have never figured out how to make the bathroom floors lower than all other floors AND put a drain in it, and include ondol heating all at the same time.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

The two bathrooms in my home are unheated, but they are both internal rooms so it's not a big issue.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

I've got a heated bathroom but only because the Ondol pipes system begins in the bathroom then spreads to other rooms. In fact, it often gets TOO hot and you have to wear slippers while on the toilet or your feet will begin to burn. We often refer to it as the Dog Jimjilbang as the dogs like to lay on the bathroom floor in the winter. Shocked