NCT 127's Johnny opens podcast by opting out of sauna culture
NCT 127 singer Johnny says Korea's famous saunas are not for him.
The Chicago-raised member of the Seoul-based K-pop group made the admission on the first episode of JOURNEY with JOHNNY, his weekly podcast on Spotify. The episode, titled 'What Nobody Tells You About Your FIRST Time in Korea', premiered on September 16 at 11 PM KST, according to allkpop.
Johnny described himself as 'Not a fan' of the venues, known in Korean as jjimjilbang. These are large public bathhouses with hot rooms, warm pools and shared resting areas, where visitors often go without clothes in single-sex sections. He said Koreans love to get a good sweat on and that is what a jjimjilbang is for, but added that he cannot understand the custom.
He also explained how common the habit is. Korean people are introduced to saunas from an early age, he said, going often with family and then with friends after starting school, according to Billboard.
His own reaction is blunt. When other men in Korea invite him along, his answer is that he does not want to see them naked. He called naked saunas part of Korean culture and a way to get close to people, but added they are not for him.
Spas get a pass. Johnny said Korean spas are OK with him because you get to keep your clothes on. He added that he likes 'room temperature and my clothes on with other people' rather than the heat of a sauna room.
The show will use that mix of culture notes and personal stories each week. Johnny plans to discuss Korean culture alongside his own tastes and experiences, according to the Korea Herald. A teaser video was posted on September 15 ahead of the launch to introduce the format.
What makes this stand out is the lens. Johnny grew up in Chicago before moving to South Korea for music, as noted by Complex, so first-time-in-Korea tips come with lived contrast. For listeners new to him, NCT 127 is the Seoul-based boy band where he performs, and the podcast is his side project as a host.
Listeners can find the series on Spotify, where the show page is now live for streaming and follow alerts.
