If you’re visiting or staying in Korea this summer, we would have to express how sorry we feel, as the heat wave this year is unprecedented.
When the temperature and humidity are as high as these days, it is suicidal to stay outside, even for a brief moment. So we hereby suggest four indoor activities and places to enjoy them, while avoiding the heat outside.
Jjimjilbang
Have you ever been to Jjimjilbang, a Korean-style sauna? Literally translates to “a heated room,” Jjimjilbang is an unexpectedly fun place to hang out, experiencing interesting aspects of Korean communal culture.
We’re not just suggesting this place to train you to the crazy heat outside (although it could be one of the reasons). Jjimjilbang actually serves various purposes. Inside its cozy heated rooms, you can sweat yourself out to feel relaxed and recharged. The restaurants and snack benders serve you a variety of Korean food, and if you get bored of the endless loop of foods and naps, you can entertain yourself playing games, watching TV, or maybe even singing karaoke.
Dragon Hill Spa
40, Hangang-daero 21na-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
The 7-story spa located near Itaewon is distinguished with its luxurious outdoor spa.
Indoor Sports Center
Can’t bail on physical activities even indoors? Sports Monster would offer you a great solution. The very first “sportainment” theme park in Korea, Sports Monster is basically a playground for adults, where you can move your body and sweat out while having fun and naturally exercising.
The park is divided into four sectors – Basic Zone, Exciting Zone, Adventure Zone, and Digital Zone. In Basic Zone, you can play various sports with your friends and family in stylish indoor courts. If you want extra entertainment, go to Exciting Zone where you can jump on a trampoline up to 4 meters or shoot razor guns.
If you need something more dynamic, skip everything and run to Adventure Zone. This sector is filled with thrills that range from rock climbing to an 8-meter free fall. Last but not least, Digital Zone is where you can have fun and gain some muscles at the same time, using digital equipment.
Sports Monster
Goyang Location: 1955, Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
Hanam Location: 750, Misa-daero, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do
VR Cafe
You may not have heard of this, but Koreans are known for their abilities in video gaming. In terms of the gaming industry, as a result, the country is one of the leaders of the world, and there are many spaces designed to provide a perfect gaming environment, such as Internet Cafes.
VR Cafe is the latest creation of such. At VR Cafes, you can play virtual reality games, wearing special equipment to hunt zombies and fight aliens. When you first enter the VR café, you might find it funny seeing all the people swinging their arms against empty walls. However, once you wear 3D goggles and start playing games you will understand their thrills and excitements.
VR Plus Cafe
825-22 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
There are a number of franchised VR Cafes, and VR Plus is one of them. Conveniently located in the center of Gangnam, this location has a nice variety of games and staffs who are willing to guide you through the VR experience.
COEX
Can’t make a good compromise with your friends on how to spend your day in Seoul? Then COEX can offer you a great solution. This large multi-purpose space does not only hold conventions and exhibitions as its name suggests (COEX is an abbreviation of COnvention center and EXhibition hall), but it also offers various entertainments.
The mall is known for being a shopping mecca, housing global brands in fashion, accessories, beauty, lifestyle products, and others. A large movie theater is also located inside the complex, as well as the biggest aquarium in the country. Are you a fan of K-pop? Then SMTOWN is a stop you can’t miss, as you can find everything related to SM Entertainment artists here, which range from fan merchandises and a hologram theater.
Starfield COEX Mall
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
By Heewon Kim
