Visitors participate in a meditation session at Geunsaemtang, a public bathhouse in Namsan-dong, Busan. Captured from Geumsaemtang's Instagram
BUSAN — On a recent Saturday, in the quiet residential district of Namsan-dong, Busan, a group of young women gathered at Geumsaemtang, a neighborhood bathhouse which was once dismissed as a fading relic of the past.
Casually dressed, the women moved from one large bathtub to another, then to a steam sauna. No one spoke, instead focusing on their individual relaxation.
These women are part of a growing number of young Koreans taking part in "accompanied bathing" as means of relaxation and "digital detox" that temporarily but completely disconnects people from the pressures of work and social media.
Geumsaemtang is leading the trend. Built in 1995, this classic bathhouse features windows emblazoned with the slogan "Bathing is a washing machine for the soul," while inside whimsical characters and quotes about bathing are scattered throughout the space.
A new cultural phenomenon, "accompanied bathing" sees individuals meeting through online communities to visit bathhouses together. A key rule for these gatherings is anonymity — participants refrain from exchanging personal details to ensure the experience remains focused on recovery. By engaging in these "loose ties," they enjoy a sense of community that is free from the emotional labor and social exhaustion typical of modern networking.
Entrance of Geumsaemtang in Namsan-dong, Busan / Korea Times photo by Park Jin-hai
From hygiene spot to sanctuary for mindfulness
The bathhouse started its transformation from a simple place of hygiene to a sanctuary for mindfulness in February with the introduction of a specialized aquatic meditation program.
The program is intimate, with no more than eight participants at a time. Attendees lie back and float in the warm water of the baths. Under the guidance of a meditation instructor, the session utilizes singing bowls and chimes to facilitate a deep state of rest.
Source: Korea Times News
