Beautiful Thai Massage

The Thai Massage

ADDRESS: 평택시 서정동 795-12

SOUTH OF SEOUL APP: SEARCH businesses - Beauty - THE THAI Massage

This new Thai Massage business opened a few months ago near the McDonalds in Seojeongri. It's two floors of lovely relaxation. I'd been hesitant to try it because it looked out of my price range, but last week I decided it was time to at least duck in and check out the menu. Turns out I was worried for nothing. Their prices are totally average by Korean standards and extremely affordable by US standards. They also have a happy hour from 9am - 4pm and a 10% discount for paying cash. 

For those of you who are new to Korea and aren't sure how to pick a place for massage, here are some useful tips. 

The Facilities:

• Clean, beautiful changing areas that supply razors, tooth brushes, lotions, etc.
• Foot massage chairs for when you just need a quick pick-me up.
• Discounts for cash.
• A nice lobby with a pleasant cup of tea.
• Quiet atmosphere (No noribangs next door.)
• Room privacy 
• Warm room in winter, not too much AC in summer.
• Not a brothel. Always an important point. (Look for places that say they are for men, women, and couples. No red lights in the lobby or halls. If you can read Korean, check reviews on Naver.)

The Service:

• Massage therapists that listen and check in with where you're are at.
• Allowed to stay in the room and take a rest after the massage is done.
• Don't expect to share a language (However, here the staff did speak English at the front desk and the massage staff knew key words in English so it was comfortable.)
• Walk-ins welcome.

Things that vary between locations: foot bath before massage, use of oils or lotions, etc

Personally, I felt this place had it all. Certainly the nicest setup in Songtan and for a very affordable price. It was also the best Thai massage I've had outside Thailand. Meaning: they focused on stretching me out through the entire massage and not just at the end. It was effective and excellent. Lot's of knees and elbows.

This will be my new place for now. 

PRO-TIP: If you are going only for the relaxing aspects of the massage, don't go anywhere after 9pm on Friday or Saturday nights. This is the magical soju hour when other guests might be a bit noisier than one would like.

Entry and foot massage stations

Butterfly pea tea. Surprisingly blue.

Rooms where comfortable, warm and dark.

Beautiful changing room and showers.

Toiletries to put myself back together.

Jessica Hair / 제시카헤어

Many people are asking about where to get their haircut in Pyeongtaek. Both myself and my co-inhabiting trouble maker go to a place in Seojeong-dong called Jessica Hair. We've tried many different places around Pyeongtaek, but at the end of the day we come back here. Even reviewers on Naver overwhelmingly support this place.

Do they speak English? I don't think so, but their menu is in English so that's not a problem. My other-half can't communicate in Korean either, but he still goes here to get his hair cut and he has curly crazy hair that most places really mess up. The ladies and Jessica always have him looking sharp. He brings a picture and they check in with him along the way. He feels comfortable.

These types of price sheets are usually different but close to the real price. lol

I love them because they do what I ask, and I ask them to do some pretty weird stuff (from a Korean standpoint) and make it look as good as I'd hoped it would. At first they were like, "You want us to shave what?" but now they are used to it and keep me looking almost normal.

The prices are super great. My hair cut runs 20,000 with a wash and dry. 

We never make appointments for cuts, we just walk in. 

 

You can download the South of Seoul App from:

Chiropractic Care in Cheonan

Dr. Richard Lee

천안시 서북구 성정동 624-7

010-7702-2206

When I was young, due to the extreme lifestyle that I've mentioned, chiropractic care was a big part of my life. However, as an adult I've mostly fallen back on massage and yoga to manage pain and rehab my body after injuries and accidents. However, now that I am... well... *clears throat and cringes* middle aged... *shakes head and cringes some more* ... I'm facing the fact I might need extra help getting the old body fully functional again.  So, upon the new massage therapist's referral, I headed down to Cheonan to meet Dr. Richard Lee. 

Dr. Lee's office is located an easy cab drive from Dujeong Station across from a huge Lotte Mart downtown one the third floor in a small but well equipped office.  This space is his private practice where he sees his own patients on Mondays and Thursdays until 8pm.  He also treats patients in Seoul but you will be paying triple the price so I didn't even ask about all that.

Having studied in Atlanta, Georgia - Dr. Lee speaks excellent English and does a very thorough examination. I felt like he listened well to my pain and the diagnosis was consistent with what I have had in the past so I felt confident in his analysis.  While I was there I also witnessed a constant coming and going of English teachers who had obviously been using Dr. Kim on a regular basis and all of them were very excited about their results. It was encouraging to see so many happy patients following through on their treatments and feeling confident with the experience.

The cost per session is 50,000 won. You can buy a 10 session card and get two free sessions wish drops the price to just over 41,000 per visit. An small price to pay for pain relief. He recommends that you come with a full spine x-ray which you can get at a local hospital for about 15,000 plus 1,000 to have it put on a CD to take with you. (If you are asked to pay over 30,000 go to a different hospital.)

As an added convenience, Dr. Lee's office is also located next to both a Subway and a Starbucks and across the street from extensive shopping. So you can just make a day of it if you want too.  

The trip from Pyeongtaek Station to Cheonan is only about 20 minutes so this is vastly more convenient and less stressful than going to Seoul where the same service is 150,000 won per visit.

Since my first visit already improved my quality of life, I'm looking forward to my next two.

Jjimjilbbangs: 5 Steps To Getting Started

Thanks to Nicole for the photo. It's a face mask explosion.

So, maybe you read the last post and are all like, "What 'evs Nae-nae. My buttocks aren't clenched and I want to get them to a jjimjilbang stat. I just need to know what exactly to expect . I don't want to seem like a crazy foreigner."  That's legit. Here are the answers to the questions I had when I first wanted to go.

What's a jjimjilbang? First of all, you should know that jjimjilbangs and public baths are not the same thing.  In fact there are three options: just a bath, just a sauna or booth.  Usually foreigners refer to all of these things as "the jjimjilbang" but it's not accurate.  Personally, I like to go to places that have both a sauna and bath that is open all night long.

How long does it take?  There is no magic number, but you are going to feel pretty rushed if you go for anywhere less than 5 hours.  We usually go between 5-7.  Sounds crazy right?  We spend about 2-3 hours in the baths and 3-4 hours in the sauna area.

How can you spend 2-3 hrs bathing?  That's a good question.  First, you need to shower and bath for the first time (5-10 min).  Next, you need to prepare for relaxation by soaking in varies salt, tea, herb baths (30 min).  After that it it's time to work on the muscle stress which takes going from hot baths/saunas to the cold pool followed by time with the jets (1-2hrs). Now you need to scrub yourself shiny/be scrubbed shiny by staff (30 min). Finally, you are relaxed and clean enough to sauna.

How can you sauna for 4 hours?  Well, there are going to be multiple rooms and after each room you need to relax/take a nap. (1.5-2hrs).  During that time might find you need to use the massage chair (usually 1,000\ 10min).  Or better yet, maybe go for a deep tissue massage ($45-$55 hr) or facial.  If you brought a book you might want to read that for a while as well, or if you brought your tablet and earphones you can watch a movie.  My point is, this is about just doing whatever your little heart desires.  Bring the kids, eat a meal, take a nap and let them run wild.  You have no place you need to be.

What if I get really relaxed, fall asleep and don't wake up until 3am?  If you go to the 24 hour places you don't have to worry.  You don't have to leave until you darn well feel like it.  You can go back to the bath and start all over again after the sauna.  I have been known to do just this :)

Okay, this sounds great.  What do I do when I get there?  Great question, here are the steps to checking in.

1) PAY. When you arrive you need to be sure they understand you want to visit BOTH the sauna and the bath.  You don't, in fact, have to use both just because they offer both.  Some people go just for the bath and others go just for the sauna.  If you make a mistake, don't worry.  They are happy to help get you back on track.  The prices are sometimes different depending on which services you will use.  They may give you 2 towels and prison uniform at this point, or they might not.

2) SHOE LOCKER. After you pay you are going to take your shoes off and put them in their own locker. I repeat, ONLY your shoes go in this locker. Take the key and go to the locker room.  You will need it for the next locker.

3) PRISON UNIFORM.  If you did NOT get your prison uniform at the front desk, once you are in the locker room go to the service desk and give your receipt to the lady who will then give you 2 towels and your prison uniform.  Usually you use one towel for the shower and 1 towel for the sauna.

4) CLOTHES LOCKER. The key that you take from your shoe locker often matches up to the exact same number as your clothes locker.  However, NOT ALWAYS, you have to place this one by ear.  Staff is helpful when you don't understand.

5) SHOWER.  Just like back home, you need to get yourself cleaned up before you start getting clean.


What should I take with me?  Technically you don't need to take anything.  You can buy single use shampoo, conditioner, face creams, scrubbers, toothbrushes, etc. on location for cheap. They also usually have snacks and drinks for you to buy as well.  Some even have restaurants for if you are really hungry.  That said, here are things we recommend taking if you feel like preparing something:

• A refillable water bottle
• Books
• Tablet or phone with earphones
• Misc. snacks
• Face masks
• Hair masks
• Favorite travel size toiletries 
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Clean underpants

Hope this helps answer most of your questions, and saves you drama when you go. However, if you have any additional questions feel free to ask in the comments.

OH! Eat Your Kimchi JUST did a video the same day I posted this.
It messes up my post, so click here to view.

Massages

fyi: This photo is not from Pyeongtaek, most places here are even nicer

Right now my hips are tied up like knots and I'm looking forward to my next Thai Massage, a monthly or bi-monthly habit that has greatly improved my quality of life since moving to Korea.  In the states I would never afford a regular treatment with prices in the Seattle area skyrocketing to $120 for 45 minutes.  Which is ridiculous.

When I first started looking for massages here I was skeptical.  When I heard the prices from friends I thought, "Well, maybe they just aren't very good at it or have no training" Which was a stupid thought.  Also, I was scared to check out any of the massage places I saw around town because I was afraid to wander into a brothel.  It's a possibility.

In order to avoid this I asked a friend if she had a recommendation and she sent me to The Foot Shop which is in downtown Pyeongtaek city (Read More Here).  I loved it, but it became quite busy and I needed to make reservations, plus I moved to a different area so I haven't been in a while. Still, it's a great place and worth a try if you are in that area.

Over the years I've tried sports massage, milk massage, Korean massage, aroma/oil massage, Chinese Massage, etc.  Whatever they are offering, I'm willing to try at least once.  In the end, I always come back to the Thai Massage because it does the most to put my joints and spine back where they are supposed to be.

When you are looking for the place that is right for you, go out and just visit a few in your neighborhood.  Don't worry, if they are scary you can just run away.  I've certainly wandered into a few that were practicing the oldest profession, but all you have to do is say, "I'm sorry!" and turn around.  Nobody will bother you.  Basically, if there are pink lights run away.

Appointments: Many legit massage shops are open 24 hrs and you can easily get a walk in appointment, especially in the morning.  In four years I have only come across two places that were full when I arrived.

Discounts: Take cash. Most shops will give you a 10,000 - 20,000 discount for using it.  They also often give discounts if you go before 11 am and some have punch cards.

Nudity: Usually you will be given a prison uniform just like with you visit a sauna.  If you are a female and wear extra large clothing, they might not have one to fit you so bring loose shorts and t-shirt.

Privacy:  They usually have very nice changing rooms and showers.  Each person is in their own private room, but they also have large rooms for friends and couples.  Usually people go with someone so feel free to go with your friends.

Timing: The staff that work at these shops are on-call.  That means if it's slow they might be at home and it will take them 10-15 minutes to get back to work.  Just sit back, relax and enjoy your tea.  This is part of the process.

Language:  If you get a massage within 5 miles of either base they most likely have someone on staff who speaks English.  Otherwise pointing and smiling works just fine. They have generally have menus at the front desk where you can look at prices and times, if they don't then maybe it's a brothel.  Don't be scared though, you will find the right place for you and have relaxing time and come out feeling brand new.

Price: I usually pay between 60,000\ - 90,000\ for two hours for basic Thai massage.  I wouldn't pay more than that unless it's something special.

WHERE I USUALLY GO

Seojeongri Station: 9.8/10 Naver Stars

NAME: 허브스토리마사지

Driving Address: 경기도 평택시 서정역로 22

Exact Address: 지번 서정동 340-1 3층

WHERE I WANT TO GO

Suwon:

NAME: 영통타이마사지

Driving Address: 경기도 수원시 영통구 봉영로 1612 보보스프라자

Exact Address: 영통동 996-4 샴푸관광나이트

Seojeongri: 10/10 Naver stars

Driving Address: 경기도 고양시 덕양구 서정마을1로 4-9 

Exact Address: 미라클프라자 행신동 1080-3 미라클프라자 5층

PRO TIP: If you speak Korean, or have a friend to help you, 

you can search the country for massage studios here: 

http://apps.massagemoa.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=shop&page=63&page=61

Jjimjilbangs are Heaven

Alright, to be clear, I'm a jimjillbong/public bath-addict.  Sometimes I wonder if I should just move into one and stop paying rent on my house.  It took me about nine months to get up the nerve to give one a try, and immediately felt like it was nine months of my life I had wasted. Maybe I'm weird, but I can't see why anyone would say no to a 9,000\ spa day. I encourage everyone to give it a try at least once. Of course, your are going to need to un-clench your buttocks in order to do so.  Here are the top reasons those with clenched buttocks won't enjoy the experience.

Nudity. Yes, you are going to need to strut around in your birthday suit.  You are going to sit, buck naked next to complete strangers.  Since this is a family affair, those strangers kids might climb up into your lap and then decided to use your naked body as a water slide for the next half hour.  However, this is a worst case scenario. This does not happen often, but it might so be kind and understanding if it does.

You are also going to see children scrubbing their elders backs and friends washing each others hair.  You are going to see all kinds of people being perfectly at ease with nudity. They might even look at you a bit because, quite frankly, you look different and it's no big deal.  So strike a pose and flash a smile.  Nobody cares. Being naked ain't no thing here.

Prison Uniform.  Ok not really a prison uniform - but kind of. In order to go into the shared section of the facilities you will need to wear the provided shorts and t-shirt, "Oh my gardddd. Not matching, unflattering clothes.  NOOOOOO. I can't possibly do that in front of strangers, we would never have to do that back home."  Tell that stupid voice to scram, un-clench those buttocks. You might just like it. These days I relish my prison uniform time.  It makes me feel quit sassy and carefree.

Floor Sleeping. That's right, if you really want to maximize the relaxation you are going to curl up on the floor, put your head on a block and take a nap between saunas.  It's going to be uncomfortable the first few times because thy buttocks have been clenched (literally, not joking here) tight for so long.  Your hips are actually entirely out of alignment and it makes floors uncomfortable.  It's not the floors fault, it's those clenched buttocks.  So work on relaxing, eventually it will feel delightful.

Sleeping Next to Strangers.  "Oh, that's just not safe" your stupid butt says.  Tell your butt to stop, relax, and let go of whatever has been wedged up there for so long.  Folks will be surprisingly uninterested in your sexy self in your prison uniform.  It seems they will be too busy talking to their friends, playing with their children, and taking naps.

Crawling into an Oven.  There might be saunas that are basically human size pizza ovens that require you get down and crawl through a small tunnel into a small cavernous space where you will once again, lay on the floor with strangers in blazing heat.  Your butt will scream from it's clenched lips, "No WAY IN HELL!"  Don't listen, get down, crawl into that oven and sweat out every last drop of stress.

Strangers Scrubbing Your Naked Body. Optional, Bonus Un-clench.  "Whaattt?" Ok, don't panic.  It's optional. Not everyone is ready for this on the first try, but if you level up to this you wont be sorry. After the ladies (for women) or men (for dudes) scrub you down you will have the skin of a new born baby.  You will also learn that you are a dirty disgusting person and feel great shame.  Still worth it.

So, do you have what it takes to un-clench those buttocks?  I know it's hard.  These are all things you have judged harshly for so long, but what if you could change how you saw the world in one afternoon while getting the kind of rest you have only dreamed about?  Wouldn't it be worth it?

These are two my friends and I enjoy.

Songtan:

Name:  그랜드사우나, 031-665-7227,

Address: 경기도 평택시 지산동 579 , 

Naver Map: http://me2.do/5f9EB0oX

Anjung-eup:

Name: 천둥산레저피아, 031-682-5394,

Address: 경기도 평택시 안중읍 현화리 831 붐붐프라자 3층, 

Naver Map: http://me2.do/x6OiIjE3

Other Jjimjilbang Articles:

What to expec

Beauty Treatments: 강남뷰여성의원

The exhaustion became more than I could handle.

No amount of yoga, water, coffee, sleep or veggies could cure it.

While standing on the side of the road waiting for my bus

I asked myself, "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

There is no reason for this self-imposed suffering,

the wailing, or the gnashing of teeth.

  When it comes down to it, I know why I do this - culture.

Even after years in Korea 

I still forget how easy it is to care for myself here.

When I get tired I fall back into old habits, 

buckling down and suffering through pain I could avoid.

Yesterday I called bullshit on myself.

Decided I'd had enough of my self imposed suffering.

I took my stupid self to Pyeongtaek, across for Del Vino, 

to the fifth floor beauty clinic and said,

"I'm tired.  Could I please have an IV."

After a 10 minute consultation, 

we chose the best solution for me:

a 40,000\ vitamin pack.

Thirty minutes later I was on my way.

Within hours I started to feel more normal,

last night I slept like a baby 

and this morning my face glows a little.

My muscles ache less, my head is more clear,

and my stomach doesn't hurt.

Does it solve all life's problems?

Not really, but close.

It sure has hell makes them more manageable.

If you are exhausted and getting sick a lot,

please just go get this. 

IV treatments are from 

40,000\ - 100,000\

and worth every penny.

Name: 강남뷰여성의원

Phone: 031-692-2789
Address: 경기도 평택시 평택동 292-6 3층
Naver Map: http://me2.do/GFEpa4KX

They have English consultants,

many English speakers go here.

You can also get affordable 

laser hair treatments,

facials, etc.

Set Lasers To Stun

To Do: Beauty, Laser Hair Treatment

When it comes to beauty I'm super lazy.

Like, I'm annoyed that I have to shower.

So when I learned the cost of laser hair treatments

I was like, "SHUT UP! I am going now."

and actually went immediately after work.

It only took 60,000\ and 30 minutes a month for 6 months

for my underarms to no longer be the pits.

As one of my friends once said,

"At this price I'm leaving Korea looking like a hairless cat."

Another friend told me,

"For $200 a session I'm leaving Korea with nothing but my eyebrows."

Of course, sometimes it takes a bit longer for some people.

Treatment success varies based on your skin and hair type.

I've had to get touch ups after 6 months, 

but then that took care of it.

Of course, like anything, pick a good place.

I went to a few that I wasn't impressed with before finding

the two that I recommend here.

IMPORTANT INFO

Warning: Privacy

Please be prepared for different comfort levels 

when it comes to privacy and don't panic.

They have different boundaries than we do.

Simply express your need for privacy 

and they will respect it.

Just don't freak.

Pro Tips for Armpits:

1. Wear a tank top under your regular shirt so you don't really have to change.
2. Shave very well right before you go to the clinic.
3. Don't pile on the deodorant before going.

Pro Tips for Bikini:

1. If you want to go all the way, make it clear to them. They aren't used to this request.
2. Take your own loose fitting short shorts as you most likely wont fit what they provide.
3. Shave VERY well exactly what you want lasered the day you go to the clinic.

LOCATIONS

Songtan / Seojeongri

Name: 365 Hospital

Address: 경기도 평택시 이충동 610-1, 

Naver Map: http://me2.do/51EYovtP

Pyeongtaek

Name: 강남뷰여성의원

Phone: 031-692-2789

Address: 경기도 평택시 평택동 292-6 3층

Naver Map: http://me2.do/GFEpa4KX