Mr. Yi Young Jun, 29
Bathhouse Owner from Kunsan
Why did you decide to run this business?
A friend recommended it. I had been a realtor.Why did you want to change jobs?
I thought of a good strategy. Behind the university (nearby) there are some farmers, poor people and elderly. I offer them a very cheap bath as a kind of service.What other services do you offer?
There’s a sauna. There used to be a small gym with a treadmill, but now only a bath and sauna.Have you ever had any problems with customers?
At dawn drunks come in and, after a sauna, throw up. And I’ve had some problem with shoes. The farmers and elderly have the same kind of shoes so they often put on the wrong ones. Later they exchange them. And, sometimes, a customer thinks he lost something, but then they find it in the locker. That’s not a big problem, but it can be a bother.A few bathhouses in Japan ban foreigners because they don't know the rules. Any problems with foreigners?
No. The rules are the same—wash before the bath, but they do that. Very few foreigners come here however. Foreigners enjoy the sauna very much, but they can’t stand it very long because it’s very hot.Any other rules? For example, in Japan people with tattoos are not allowed?
No. Only people who are too drunk are not allowed in. It’s really cheap here. Having a bath is just 2,000 won (210 yen); having a bath with sauna is just 3,000 won (310 yen). In the bathhouse there are three types of baths: hot, medium, and cool. But some people want to make the hot one cooler; I can’t of course. It takes a lot of money to heat the water.Are bathhouses doing well in South Korea?
Many are closing. Because of that mine is very cheap.Was this bathhouse expensive?
Yes, very. The same price as to build a house. ButI didn’t build it. I knew the owner, so he rented this space at first. I paid cash to buy it.How much do you make a month?
30,000,000 won (3,000,000 yen) is the gross profit a month.What about after expenses?
Like 15,000,000 won (1,500,000 yen) a month.Are you satisfied?
I’m still ambitious. I have plans. I want to set up a Japanese food restaurant business.How many hours a week do you work?
I don’t have any holiday. Ever. 12 hours a day, every day. I have assistants; they fill in after my shift. The bathhouse is open 24 hours a day.Any plans to take a vacation?
I really hope, but my plans are vague. Summers are freer, because it’s hotter and people are on holiday, so maybe I’ll take a two night three day trip somewhere. Only that.Any dreams?
Because I’m a Christian I have a dream from my father: to help the homeless, or the poor. I’m not interested in getting rich; I just want to live like those around me. When I’m satisfied with my life I want to help other people. I’d like to then live a peaceful life in the countryside.Are there many homeless in Korea?
In Kunsan it’s very countryside, so there aren’t many homeless. The government is promoting to move the homeless into the countryside, to give them a house, and give them unused land. After that, they work as farmers, and must pay a type of tax, like one kilogram of rice for each ten they harvest. There are many homeless in Seoul.So religion is a big influence on your life?
When I see somebody commit a sin, I understand through my belief that it’s not his fault; it’s like a devil inside. I don’t blame them. I’m Presbyterian.the end