I was wondering what Korean Bathhouses are like. Is a jimjilbang the same thing as a bathhouse?

Well, if you are active duty they are like off limits...

Personally, I love Jimjilbangs! Honestly, they are like cheap hotels. There is one in Mun Hwa Dong, near Kunsan City, near my in-laws home. It has 4or 5 different saunas. Each one has a different temperature range. There is even an ice room.

Of course,, there are the 'bathing' rooms with the hot tubs for soaking the skin to get ready for the ajimas to peal the dead skin off, mostly on the female side. Yes, it is segrated in that area. The saunas are co-ed and you have to where clothing. The clothing and towels are provided when you arrive. The first thing you do is pay for your stay, receive a shoe locker key and a locker room key. They give you the appropriate shorts and t-shirt to wear, sort of like pink for girls, and blue for boys, but usually it's just 2 different colors.

Once you're in, it's like buying a pass to Magic Mountain or Disneyland, although I prefer Cedar Point in Ohio. You now have free reign any where in the facility. You have to pay for any food and beverage purchases which can conveniently added to your bill much like room service.

Saunas, sleep rooms, snack bars, and my personal favorite, the fitness center....... So much to do. If you're interested, just hook up with some Koreans. It's easier in some units than others....

Remember, you are in a foreign country, make friends with them...you don't have to rush out with the GI's in your unit to shop for sneakers and mink blankets and run around Seoul all the time...

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When people ask me where I'm from, I say that my hometown is 'Kunsan'! 진 짜! 정 말!

I'm not in the military but I was curious and looked up the off limits regulations. It does say that Turkish Baths are off limits. What piqued my interest is I have a friend whose FRG group is taking a trip to a "Spa" in Pyeongtaek. I looked into this spa and it looks like a bathhouse to me. Are Turkish Baths something different from jimjilbangs? Is using the term "spa" a way to get around the restriction of the Turkish Baths?

I would like to know the reasoning behind why Turkish Baths or Massage Parlors and the like are off limits. I know that cleanliness and sanitation are still dangerously lacking, and it takes little imagination to add the possibility of prostitution, human trafficking, etc.

In Seoul, and perhaps other areas, the Massage Parlors are now only legally employing the blind. Just as the deaf and dumb merchants in Itaewon get special permission to open on the north side of the street. Bet you didn't know that!

I'm not sure it is a country wide law, or not.

If I were going to a spa of any type, I might inquire of a local government official first. Or, maybe I'd just shut up and use my own judgement!

What is an FRG?

It stands for Family Readiness Group. I believe it used to be called Family Support Group. It's the Army's way of keeping family members connected to what's going on in the unit.

I remember when I first came to Korea they used to have them on base. I won't tell you what they were called. That will tell you how much things have changed.

In 1993, I took my friend "James" who was Captain in US Army in Yongsan to Seolak mountain area for fun at a weekend in spring.
I took him to the Spa bathhouse in "Chuck-San" spa area.
He's a hispanic black, and at that time it's really rare foreigners in that area.
I heard a lot of Koreans were saying about his body and even curious questions to me what I couldn't explain to my friend.
It's a basic interesting on human body, but in some other point of view some questions or comments can make people crazy...
Even I was a bit embarassing at that time, but I think still it's a bit same situation in the public bathhouse if you guys got into the public tubs.
I'd like to recommend you guys, go there but please take a local person who can speak Korean and know the system reasonably to avoid any accidents or incidents cause of misunderstanding of bath culture in my country.
jz

Good story, Joezoh!

Yes, a Korean friend would be a great idea.
Koreans generally are lacking in body hair, as compared to persons of western origin. As an example, most men seldom can grow a beard. All women have no need to shave their legs. Body parts and hair and skin color make for interesting conversation in any group, but internationally diverse groups, bathing together, OH BOY!

On the street, a few years ago, it was not unusual for Koreans to touch the blond hair of a child admiringly, or to grab a foreigner's arm to feel the hair, as it was such a rarity! If it happens to you today, don't get hyper and cause a fuss- no kidnapping is taking place-smile, and be flattered! Still today-men come up to me and tap on my protruding stomach and say something like. "Hiking up Nam San is good for you!" I laugh and agree!

Mr Joe , I have a hard time taking my kids out without thier heads being rubbed and touched , they are both very blond little boys , my youngest laps it up, but my 6 yr old finds it frightening . I try to explain ,but like I said he's 6 !