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KOREA

January 2021

Journey in Bathing

Bathtubs of AncientKorea

    STORY

    Bathtubs of Ancient Korea

    Ancient Korean Bathing Cultures

    In Korea, ¡®bathing¡¯ has long been a traditional custom. Bathing involves cleansing both the hair and body. Meanwhile, the communal space or facility of ¡®public bathhouses¡¯ has not been around for more than 130 years. So then, how has the concept of communal bathing steeped into part of Korean culture? We offer in this article an overview of what evolution Korean bathing cultures and facilities have undergone in the distant and near past.

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Soak in Relaxation

    Journey

    Soak in Relaxation

    Mineral Springs & Hot Tubs

    The Seoul Metropolitan Government officially classifies hot springs as places with ¡°underground hot water of over 25 degrees Celsius that is safe to bathe in and drink.¡± Though a handful of hot springs in the capital meet these standards, venues outside the megalopolis offer more experiences just as unique, if not more rewarding. This article looks at communal spas in Incheon, Korea¡¯s second-largest port city and home to the country¡¯s main air hub.

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Tub of Art

    Muse

    Tub of Art

    ART Space: Cultural Complex Haenghwatang

    Public bathhouses, especially those snuggled in old-fashioned alleyways, once acted as a site of local engagement. Reborn as a site of artistic exchange in place of the more casual happenstance of its prior times, Haenghwatang continues to host meaningful interpersonal exchanges.

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Journey in Bathing

Bathtubs of
Ancient Korea

Soak in
Relaxation

Tub of Art
Lasting Legacy of
a True Sportsman

interview

Soccer Pioneer

Park Ji-sung

Despite retiring from the game in 2014, Park remains to Koreans an icon of the sport who flourished overseas as a representative of Korea. This explains his nickname haebeoji (father of Korean players overseas) by fans and mentors.

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Indie Film

Inclusive Cinema

indie culture

Inclusive Cinema

The 21st century has seen cultural inclusivity and the spirit of embracing diversity grow in prominence.

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Sikhye

Seasonal Delights

Cool as Rice

One of the most popular drinks using rice as a key ingredient is sikhye, a sweet dessert beverage that is also known to have health benefits.

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For 2021, we are bringing to fore tidbits of our daily lives: something many of us in these pandemic-ridden times realize we could¡¯ve cherished more, attributed greater fondness and gratitude toward. It¡¯s a considerable shift from our prior intent to highlight the ¡®best of¡¯ (what our nation offers) — which is arguably the spirit of our organization, as a promoter of the nation.

We believe that by exposing possibly more mundane, practical and commonplace bits of Korean life — including the everyday customs of contemporary and ancient Korea, plus all the periods in between —, you feel more intimate to our nation and all that we have to offer.