Is Bathing the New Trend? Explore Seoul’s Oldest Bathhouse and Its Unique Offerings!

▲ Courtesy | MBC ‘Save Me! Homes’

[SPOTV News reporter Kim Hyun-rok] MBC’s Save Me! Homes will spotlight developments at Seoul’s oldest bathhouse — a location that even appeared on the variety show Infinite Challenge.

On the 23rd, the series, directed by Jung Da-hee, Nam Yoo-jung, Heo Ja-yoon and Kim Seong-nyeon, visits “Bathhouse Road,” a stretch that has reemerged as a popular hangout among younger crowds.

The episode brings together three peers born in 1986 — singer-actor No Min-woo, comedian Kwak Beom and Joo Woo-jae. After a quieter period, the trio explores bathhouses that have seen renewed interest from Gen Z and tours homes owned by people who take bathing seriously, aiming to capture the current state of bathing culture.

A mansion in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, that includes a private bathhouse and sauna draws attention. With facilities that feel as if a public bath were transplanted into a residence, Kim Sook quipped, “I wouldn’t need to go to a public bath anymore,” expressing envy. The show also features a home on Yeongjongdo in Incheon with a balcony spa designed for soaking while looking out at nature.

The trio visits a home in Seoul’s Yongsan District that’s built around bathing. Joo Woo-jae described it as “the kind of house an ENFP would live in.” Its Art Nouveau–inspired, showy interiors and a boldly designed bathroom impressed the cast. Kim Sook called it “a home where every detail is a focal point.” The homeowner — who bears a striking resemblance to popular comedienne Lee Soo-ji — adds a lighthearted touch.

The episode also examines bathhouses currently on the market. It will feature Seoul’s oldest bathhouse, in operation since 1966, designated a Seoul Future Heritage site and previously shown on MBC’s Infinite Challenge. The facility closed in 2022 and has recently been placed up for sale, a development that has attracted public interest.

No Min-woo, long rumored to be a bathhouse aficionado, shares his personal bathing philosophy. He says he can spend about seven hours at a bathhouse, surprising viewers, and insists, “Bathhouses are more effective for me than dermatology.” Remarkably, he maintains flawless skin despite never having had laser treatment. He also recalls receiving a surprise gift from Hyde, the vocalist of Japanese rock band L’Arc~en~Ciel, a story that underscores his passion for bathing.

The program also highlights a spacious, well-maintained bathhouse listing in Miryang, noting the region’s characteristic automated scrubbing machines.

MBC’s Save Me! Homes bathhouse scouting episode airs on the 23rd at 10 p.m.