Getting naked in the world’s largest department store

Stripping Down in the World’s Biggest Shopping Palace

Qwenews.com – While American malls typically offer pizza slices and clothing from familiar chains, South Korea transforms these shopping centers into immersive wellness destinations. The country’s jjimjilbang culture has found a spectacular home within its modern mega-malls, with the crown jewel residing in Busan’s southern coastal landscape.

That gleaming silver and white edifice might initially pass for luxury residential towers or contemporary art galleries. Yet Shinsegae Centum City holds the title of the world’s largest department store, spanning an impressive 3.16 million square feet of retail space.

A Bathing Tradition Reborn

Beyond designer handbag displays and luxury cosmetics counters lies a sleek black glass entrance where both visitors and residents enter Spa Land. This establishment represents something far removed from private treatment rooms. The term jjimjilbang combines two Korean words: jjimjil meaning heated therapy, and bang translating to room.

Relaxing and recovering from illness in heated rooms is a concept that dates to Korea’s Joseon dynasty.

These communal bathing spaces blend elements of Japanese onsen with Finnish sauna traditions. Visitors enter gender-divided sections, remove their clothing, and immerse themselves in various heated pools. Anyone who has watched scenes from K-Pop Demon Hunters featuring women relaxing together in warm waters has glimpsed this experience.

The bathing ritual extends beyond simple soaking. After enjoying the hot water, guests receive thorough body scrubs that leave skin feeling remarkably renewed and smooth.

From Ancient Floors to Modern Malls

Disrobing among strangers inside a prestigious shopping center may seem foreign to some, yet this practice carries deep cultural roots. Busan hosted South Korea’s inaugural jjimjilbang, establishing a tradition that continues today.

According to Lee In-hye, who wrote “History of Bathing,” the practice of warming in heated spaces traces back to Korea’s Joseon dynasty. Traditional homes utilized ondol systems that heated floors from below, allowing residents to lie directly on warm surfaces. As urbanization progressed and families moved into apartment buildings with centralized heating, some found the experience lacking.

A collective of Busan women responded by recreating ondol-style warmth within a shared building, essentially inventing a neighborhood bathhouse. This innovation quickly gained popularity, eventually spreading to Seoul’s crowded Gangnam district. The South Korean government formally acknowledged jjimjilbangs in July 1995, creating official standards for these establishments.

More Than Just a Bath

Today’s jjimjilbangs have evolved into comprehensive wellness centers offering numerous amenities. Visitors can enjoy beauty treatments, visit nail salons, grab snacks at cafes, or rest in sleeping quarters. Many facilities feature specialized saunas using salt, clay, or charcoal.

Enthusiasts can dedicate entire days to the experience without venturing outside. While communal nudity might initially challenge some foreigners, many find the atmosphere remarkably empowering.

Multigenerational gatherings are commonplace, with grandmothers, mothers, and granddaughters socializing together while soaking. Friends assist each other with hair styling, and younger visitors help older guests navigate the slippery pool edges safely. This environment naturally fosters body positivity.

The worldwide fascination with Korean culture—known as hallyu or the Korean Wave—has transformed travel patterns. Tourists who once spent merely one or two days in Seoul now explore the country more thoroughly. Busan provides a relaxed alternative to the capital, enhanced by natural spring water pumped from deep underground into local spas.

For first-time visitors to South Korea or those new to communal bathing, Spa Land at Shinsegae Centum City offers an accessible introduction. Its convenient location, welcoming atmosphere, and English-friendly services make it an ideal starting point for experiencing this uniquely Korean tradition.