“Too Many Naked Men: My First Korean Sauna Shock”

 

My First Time Experiencing a Korean Sauna as a Polynesian

The first time I stepped into a Korean sauna—jjimjilbang—I thought I was ready. I had heard people say it’s relaxing, healing, and a “must-try Korean experience.” But nobody warned me about the part that shook my entire Polynesian soul: you have to take off all your clothes.

The Shock: No Clothes, No Problem… for Them

Back home, we’re chill people—we love the beach, the ocean, the sun. But even at the beach, we wear something. In a Korean sauna, however, everyone was walking around completely naked, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Meanwhile, I was standing there like a confused coconut.

I kept thinking, “Is this really happening? Do I actually have to do this?”
And yes… You do.

The Culture Difference Hit Me Hard

Polynesian culture teaches respect, privacy, and modesty, especially around elders or strangers. So being suddenly surrounded by people casually showering, scrubbing, chatting, and soaking with everything out in the open… I was not okay.

For Koreans, this environment is normal and even bonding. For me, it was straight-up culture shock.

But After the Panic… It Got Interesting

Once I got past the embarrassment (it took a while), I started to notice something:

No one cared.

No one stared.
No one judged.
Everyone was minding their own business.

It was weirdly freeing—still uncomfortable, but freeing.

Would I Go Again?

Honestly?
Probably… maybe.
But I’d have to mentally prepare for a week.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing a Korean sauna as a Polynesian was one of the biggest “culture collision” moments of my life. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I still didn’t enjoy being fully naked with strangers, but I learned something valuable:

Sometimes the hardest cultural experiences are the ones you remember—and laugh about—the most.



Comments

  1. VictorDecember 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM

    ☺️☺️ Most Korean does it. But You're not alone.I am also still not used to being fully naked in souna places. So I avoid going there.

    ReplyDelete

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