Having religious roots, Hanjeungmak, or saunas, were created during the 15th century for medicinal reasons, according to Koreatown LA. They burned wood pine to heat stones around the room, creating a hot, dry environment. During Japanese colonial rule in Korea, the concept of the bathhouse and sauna meshed together, putting the saunas inside of the bathhouses.

Part of the bathhouse experience was skin scrubbing with a textured towel, a practice still upheld today. Now dubbed Jimjilbang, they're filled with modern delights like TVs, showers, and games. A popular relaxation hotspot, many Jimjilbangs in Korea are open 24/7 with the ability to stay overnight.

The Korean spa experience consists of hot, steamy showers, hot and cold pools, massages, various saunas, hot tubs, and the famous intense body scrubs. While mixed-gender communal spaces exist, most spa areas are segregated since it's common to be fully nude.