Seoul has become one of Asia’s most influential beauty and wellness capitals. Alongside K-beauty, skincare clinics and design-led hotels, a new generation of travellers is discovering another Korean export: wellness rooted in tradition.

At the centre of that movement is SPA 1978 Seoul, a premium spa in Gangnam that has built its identity around one of Korea’s most recognised wellness ingredients: Korean Red Ginseng.

Located at the KT&G Tower in Daechi, SPA 1978 combines Korean massage techniques, acupressure, facial treatments, head spa rituals and red ginseng therapies with the polished service expected from a contemporary luxury spa.

Its story began in 2011, through a collaboration with Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC), the company behind CheongKwanJang, Korea’s leading red ginseng brand.

To understand what makes the experience different, I spoke with Andy Lee, Owner & Manager of SPA 1978 Daechi Branch, about the origins of the spa, the role of Korean Red Ginseng and why wellness has become an increasingly important part of travelling through Korea.

Inside SPA 1978 Seoul

Getting an appointment at SPA 1978 is not always easy. When we visited, the spa was fully booked, and it was only by pure chance that we managed to secure a last-minute slot for the two-hour Slow-Aging A treatment, combining facial and back care.

After the welcome, the experience began with a Korean Red Ginseng foot bath — an understated introduction to the ingredient that defines the spa. From there, I was taken into the treatment room for the facial and back ritual.

I had planned to take in every detail.

Instead, I fell asleep.

After several days of navigating Seoul, it was perhaps the most convincing endorsement of the treatment. The combination of back therapy, facial care and the quiet of the private treatment room made it remarkably easy to switch off.

The experience ended with Korean Red Ginseng tea and dried jujube. The latter happens to be one of my favourite Korean treats, making the final detail particularly well judged.

I left feeling rested, my skin refreshed and, perhaps most importantly, with the sense that I had genuinely taken two hours away from the pace of Seoul.

The story behind SPA 1978

The name SPA 1978 is personal to Andy Lee. The number refers to his birth year and represents what he describes as his lifelong commitment to wellness.

Andy Lee, Owner & Manager of SPA 1978 Daechi Branch

“SPA 1978 was born from my belief that true wellness begins with restoring balance between the body and the mind,” he explains.

His original ambition was to create a space that addressed both physical and emotional wellbeing rather than simply providing a traditional massage.

That idea eventually became SPA 1978.

Since its launch, the spa has developed a signature approach that combines Korean wellness traditions with modern spa techniques and hospitality. Korean Red Ginseng became a natural foundation for the concept.

“For centuries, Korean Red Ginseng has been treasured as one of Korea’s most valuable natural ingredients,” Andy says. “It symbolizes vitality, resilience, and longevity.”

The result is a spa experience that feels distinctly Korean without relying on nostalgia.

What is Korean Red Ginseng?

For anyone unfamiliar with it, Korean Red Ginseng is produced by steaming and drying fresh ginseng roots. The process gives the root its distinctive reddish-brown colour and changes its flavour and composition.

Ginseng has been part of Korean traditional wellness culture for centuries. Today, it is available in everything from teas and supplements to concentrated extracts and beauty products.

One of the best-known names is CheongKwanJang, operated by Korea Ginseng Corporation. The brand has a history dating back to 1899 and remains closely associated with Korean Red Ginseng.

At SPA 1978, however, the ingredient is not treated simply as a supplement or skincare active.

It becomes part of the treatment itself.

“We chose Korean Red Ginseng because it perfectly represents the philosophy of SPA 1978,” Andy explains. “Rather than using it as a simple cosmetic ingredient, we have developed treatments that allow guests to experience the full wellness tradition of Korean Red Ginseng through touch, aroma, warmth, and professional therapy.”

The “Empty and Fill” philosophy

The concept behind SPA 1978 is called Empty and Fill.

The idea is straightforward: before the body can recover, it needs to release accumulated tension and fatigue.

“Modern life constantly asks us to do more, think more, and move faster,” says Andy. “Before we can truly recharge, we must first let go of accumulated stress, fatigue, and emotional tension.”

Treatments therefore begin with the idea of releasing rather than adding.

Body therapy, massage, warmth and relaxation are followed by restorative treatments incorporating Korean Red Ginseng and skincare.

“To us, wellness is not simply about adding something to the body. It begins with creating space for healing.”

The philosophy also influences the spa’s physical environment.

A Korean spa designed around the senses

SPA 1978 takes a deliberately controlled approach to its interiors.

The spa uses soft lighting, natural materials, private treatment rooms, gentle music and a signature red ginseng aroma. Each element has been selected to create a calm environment without making the space feel overly themed or traditional.

“Healing is experienced through all five senses,” Andy says.

For international visitors, this is an important distinction.

A typical Korea massage may focus primarily on the physical treatment. SPA 1978 instead presents massage as part of a larger Korean wellness ritual.

The experience combines bodywork, skincare, aroma and hospitality, creating something closer to a destination spa than a conventional massage appointment.

Traditional Korean massage meets modern spa culture

Korean wellness has evolved considerably in recent years.

The traditional jjimjilbang remains an important part of Korean culture, while Seoul has also developed a sophisticated luxury wellness scene catering to international visitors.

SPA 1978 occupies the latter category.

“Traditional Korean massage techniques, acupressure, herbal wellness rituals, and Korean Red Ginseng therapies form the foundation of our treatments,” Andy says. “We combine these with modern skincare science, personalized consultations, advanced spa techniques, and luxurious hospitality.”

That combination is central to the spa’s appeal.

Rather than reproducing a traditional treatment exactly as it might have been experienced decades ago, SPA 1978 interprets Korean wellness for a contemporary international audience.

The result is polished, private and distinctly Korean.

The treatment to book

For a first visit, Andy recommends the 3-Hour Full Care Signature Experience.

The treatment brings together several of SPA 1978’s signature services, including Korean Red Ginseng care, body therapy, facial treatment and head spa.

The current 180-minute Full Care programme is designed as a head-to-toe treatment, covering the face, body, feet and head.

“It represents everything SPA 1978 stands for,” Andy says.

For a traveller visiting Seoul for the first time, it also provides the clearest introduction to the spa’s philosophy.

Rather than booking a standalone Korean massage, the three-hour treatment allows guests to experience several aspects of Korean premium spa culture in one appointment.

Where to buy Red Ginseng in Korea

A visit to Seoul can easily turn into an introduction to Korean Red Ginseng beyond the spa.

For travellers wondering where to buy red ginseng, CheongKwanJang is one of the most established names to look for.

The brand sells a wide range of products, including red ginseng extract, liquid preparations, capsules and its popular Red Ginseng Everytime sticks.

For visitors returning home, the brand also has an international presence. Searches for 정관장 미국 or CheongKwanJang USA will lead to its US retail and online channels.

When buying red ginseng, however, it is worth checking the concentration, ingredients and recommended serving rather than assuming all products provide the same preparation.

And while red ginseng has a long history in traditional Korean wellness, concentrated supplements should be approached like any other supplement. Anyone taking medication or managing a medical condition should consult a healthcare professional before using them.

What does ginseng taste like?

There is also a culinary side to the Korean Red Ginseng experience.

So, what does ginseng taste like?

The flavour is earthy, woody and distinctly bitter, with a slightly medicinal quality and a lingering finish. It is not immediately sweet or conventionally pleasant, which makes it an acquired taste for many first-time visitors.

In Korea, red ginseng is commonly consumed as tea, liquid extract or concentrated preparations, often balanced with honey or other ingredients.

At SPA 1978, red ginseng tea forms part of the overall sensory experience.

It is a small but significant detail. The ingredient is not simply explained to visitors; they are introduced to it through several different senses.

Why international travellers are discovering Korean wellness

For SPA 1978, the growing international interest in Korean wellness is part of a broader shift in travel.

Visitors are increasingly looking for experiences that connect them with the culture of the destination rather than simply replicating services they could find at home.

“International travelers are becoming increasingly interested in authentic cultural experiences rather than simply visiting famous landmarks,” Andy says.

He has noticed that many guests arrive expecting a luxury massage but leave with a broader appreciation of Korean wellness.

“They appreciate the combination of Korean Red Ginseng, personalized care, private treatment rooms, premium hospitality, and the thoughtful attention given by our therapists.”

This is particularly relevant for Seoul.

The city has successfully exported Korean beauty and skincare around the world. Wellness is now becoming another part of that cultural influence.

SPA 1978 is positioning itself within that movement by presenting Korean traditions through a luxury hospitality lens.

SPA 1978 and the future of Korean wellness

SPA 1978 has received recognition from the Korea Tourism Organization and Seoul Metropolitan Government, something Andy views as both an honour and a responsibility.

“These recognitions tell us that Korean wellness has global value and deserves to be shared with the world,” he says.

His ambition extends beyond Seoul.

“We hope SPA 1978 will become a destination that travelers include alongside Korea’s traditional palaces, cuisine, and K-beauty. Wellness should become another reason people visit Korea.”

It is a natural next step for a country whose cultural influence has already extended from fashion and beauty to food, music and design.

And Korean wellness has an advantage: it has a history to draw from.

At SPA 1978, that history is expressed through Korean Red Ginseng, massage, acupressure and traditional wellness rituals, while the setting and service reflect the expectations of today’s luxury traveller.

For anyone planning a Seoul itinerary, it offers a different way to experience the city — one that places Korean wellness culture alongside its better-known beauty, food and fashion scenes.

SPA 1978 Seoul: Essential Information

Location: SPA 1978 Daechi Branch, KT&G Tower B2F, 416 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Area: Gangnam / Daechi
Nearest station: Samseong Station
Opening hours: 10am–9pm
Recommended treatment: 3-Hour Full Care Signature Experience
Speciality: Korean Red Ginseng treatments, body therapy, facial care, foot care and head spa
Reservations: Advance booking recommended

For travellers researching the best Korean spa in Korea, SPA 1978 offers a particularly polished introduction to the country’s wellness culture — with Korean Red Ginseng at the centre of the experience.