Trendy private scrub room in the Hongdae area: Seian Yeonnam
ilmicio05
11 days ago
When you think of Korea’s scrubbing service, it used to be standard to get it done at a jjimjilbang or sauna, right?
When I first started traveling to Korea, I tried places like that a few times through a travel agency option, but lining up on platforms with your companion and lying there like a fish on a cutting board felt a bit embarrassing, and I didn’t have the best impression of the way they treated you, so I hadn’t been back in a long time...
But lately I kept hearing that “private-room scrubbing” is popular, and I’d been curious for ages, so I invited a friend and went to try it out.
From the Creatrip site, I looked through a bunch of options and picked a place that was easy to reach from our hotel and had an atmosphere I liked.
Seian, Yeonnam
Subway Line 2, AREX Hongdae Entrance
About a 10-minute walk straight from Exit 3.
If you follow the road along the way, you might end up going to the right, so I recommend walking along the park.
I thought it might be far from the station, but it’s in an area dotted with stylish shops, and the store is along a greened walking path, so I think you can get there without getting lost.
That said, I missed the entry instructions written on the site, couldn’t figure out how to unlock the auto-lock, and wandered for a few minutes, but I made it there safely.
The 1st floor is a stylish bag shop called “THE OFTN.”, and it’s on the 2nd floor above it.
Once inside, the vibe is really lovely.
The front desk staff, who speaks great Japanese, welcomed us.
And here’s where I made a purchasing mistake...
I thought I was buying gift vouchers and purchased the amount I needed, but it seems it actually meant deposit x number of people...
Apparently for two people, I should only have been able to buy two, but somehow I was able to buy more, and when I said I’d just have to accept that the extra would count as a deposit, the receptionist carefully checked the website for me and applied the amount I purchased by mistake properly toward the total fee.
Even though I had paid, it was still my mistake, so I figured I couldn’t really complain, and I was genuinely grateful.
Since it was my first time, I chose the simplest course.
Milk Course (50 min) KRW 87,000
Welcome tea + bath + body scrub + milk care + mask pack + shampoo + hair pack
KRW 174,000 for two
I’d already paid KRW 150,000 on the site (KRW 50,000 x 3), so I paid the remaining balance at the counter.
It seemed like it would be okay to change the plan upon arrival, too.
First, you fill out a questionnaire about your tea before the scrub and your preferred pressure level.
After that, you’re shown to private rooms one by one.
There’s also a locker with a key for peace of mind, and I forgot to check the brand, but they also have a closet like an LG Styler that can care for your clothes, they dried the clothes I’d been wearing.
I went in the summer evening wearing a cut-and-sew top and forgot to bring a change of clothes, so I really appreciated it.
First, you soak in the tub for 15 minutes, and during that time they told me, “Please wipe your face with these makeup-remover wipes.”
For the scrub, they did a proper cleanse and face wash, even finished a mask pack, and then the scrubbing started.
The scrubbing itself felt nostalgic, and yes, it was still very much the “fish on a cutting board” situation, but since it’s a private room, and they warmed you with a towel while covering you when you’re on your back, that part has definitely evolved.
At the end, you take a shower and finish with a human drying machine, which was kind of funny.
I forgot to take a photo of the dressing room, but they have basic skincare all the way up to UV cream, so even if you come during the day, it’s probably fine as long as you bring makeup items from powder onward.
All the hair dryers were Dyson, with two types available, curling is tricky, but personally I was happy I got to try the newer Dyson.
When we left, they gave us a banana milk in a pack, and I felt good right to the end.
They accept reservations until 9:30 pm, so if your hotel is nearby, it’s the perfect place to stop by on your way back after hanging out.
The area around it is stylish, but at night it feels like it’s right next to the park and there are some dark spots, so if you’re alone, I think you’ll want to plan carefully and stay alert at your own discretion.
↓ In daylight, it was honestly such a pleasant place.
This time I went with a friend, and our hotel was at Gongdeok Station, one stop past, so we hung out in other areas, finished dinner, went back to the hotel once to drop off our stuff, and then came here in the evening, but since this is an area with lots of stylish cafes and shops, it also sounds fun to shop after your scrub, grab a meal, then relax at a cute cafe for tea.
It became a wonderful spot in a great area where even if you come alone you can have a good time, and it’s a place I want to repeat.
The staff will see you, of course, but since it’s fully private rooms, I also recommend it for anyone who doesn’t like shared baths.
