On the episode aired on the 23rd, MBC's 'Save Me! Holmes' featured a bathhouse road trip. Bath enthusiast Noh Min-woo, who visits bathhouses more than three times a week, along with popular comedian Kwak Beom and MC Joo Woo-jae, all born in 1986, embarked on this journey together.
Their first stop was a 24-hour sauna in Dunchon-dong, the only one of its kind in the area. Operating since 2006, this place exuded a warm atmosphere with regulars' bath baskets filling the entrance. The owner revealed an average of 200-300 customers per day and a monthly revenue of approximately 60 million won, surprising the participants. However, the candid discussion about fixed costs such as gas, water, electricity bills, staff salaries, taxes, and bank interest turned the atmosphere lively.
As they delved into the bathhouse, the trio explored nostalgic facilities like the in-house barber shop and shoe-shining area, while also inspecting the property's condition, noting signs of wear like cracked tiles. The ice room, reminiscent of a refrigerator, and the sleeping quarters, akin to a studio apartment, added a unique charm to the sauna space.
Next, they visited a residential-commercial complex in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu. The opulent interior, featuring golden built-in closets and ceiling mirrors, was striking, while the bathroom, adorned in pink and silver tones, was equipped with a dedicated faucet and various half-bath accessories, showcasing a true passion for bathing. The homeowner, an interior designer and adjunct professor of interior architecture, disclosed that the bathroom's renovation cost around 20 to 30 million won. The designer also introduced various bathroom spaces tailored for spa-loving clients, leaving the visitors in awe.
Lastly, the trio explored a 55-year-old bathhouse in Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu. The retro-style counter caught their attention, and the owner shared that they have been running the place for 25 years since taking over. The group inspected the electric boiler and water pipes in the basement boiler room and admired the chimney view from the third-floor residential area. They concluded their bathhouse exploration with a discussion on the deposit and rent system for barbers and bath attendants.
Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr