Sports massage

Here’s this week’s tip on Korean language and customs:

Q:
Near my home in Yeoksam-dong in southern Seoul, I’ve spotted quite a few signs that read “sports massage” in Korean and English. I’ve also found them in many neighborhoods in Seoul.

What can you expect inside one of these “sports massage” places?

A:
The term “sports massage” just refers to regular massage.

Massage parlors have been around for a long time in Korea. But the overall image had been negative because the majority of masseuses were blind or the business sometimes involved illegal prostitution. Since the crackdown on prostitution, police have increasingly targeted places engaged in illegal activity.

Even if there is growing demand for massages, people are reluctant to visit old-style massage parlors. Local masseuse organizations wanted to jump-start their flagging industry and re-introduce massage in a healthier light. They came up with a new term, “sports massage,” as sports in general comes with a good image in Korean people’s minds.

The service involves shiatsu, or manipulation of pressure points and stretching of muscles. Fees vary depending on the session, but the average cost is around 30,000 won ($30) per hour.