As Korea’s red and orange-waved autumn is swiftly passing, the even cooler winter chills and winds are bound to come at us very soon. If you want to safely survive Korea’s harsh and brutal winter, Pyeongtaek Insight has come up with an essential list of must-have seasonal items you might want to consider purchasing to prepare for what’s ahead.
1. Heating Mat – Electric heating mats can be considered a popular item in most Korean homes, especially considering typical ‘ondol’ in-home heating can be expensive. These mats are typically placed on living room floors to stay warm while watching TV or spending some time with family. It is also common to top them on mattresses to maintain your bed nice and warm throughout the night. There’s nothing better than getting into a toasty and comfy bed after being out in the cold.
Heating mat prices can vary, ranging from 50,000 won to 300,000 won, and typically the more expensive, the safer the mats tend to be. Electric heating mats don’t always block electromagnetic waves effectively, which can be harmful. Instead, many choose to use hot water mats, which can be slightly less convenient but much safer.
2. Hot Packs – A Korean winter golden item. Whether you’re going out for a walk, going out to run some errands, or meeting up with a friend, Korean portable heat packs are bound to become your best friend. These palm-sized lifesavers will warm up your hands when it feels like they’re about to fall off from the blistering cold. Shake them up to activate and put them in your pockets or shoes for warmth that will last you 8 ~ 10 hours. Sold in a variety of different shapes and sizes, you can purchase them from almost anywhere, from convenience stores to supermarkets. If you want to conserve some money, you can even buy rechargeable hot packs to reuse as many times as you want later on.
3. Humidifier – Though heaters are a winter season favorite to have at home, they can be detrimental to sensitive skin, drying it out to the point where it can crack. It can contribute to dry eyes and throat congestion. A quick and easy solution to this issue is simply getting yourself a humidifier. Humidifiers add moisture to the air to provide a soothing and humid environment. If money is tight to purchase a regular-sized machine, you have the option of buying smaller USB humidifiers that you can even plug into your phone charging box port.
4. Fuzzy Socks – Nothing gives a warm hug like warm furry socks on your feet. Toasty ‘soo myeon’ socks are a must-have to warm you and your feet from getting frost-bitten by the cold! With a hugely diverse variety of different shapes, colors, and designs, you can buy them individually or in bulk from street vendors, markets, convenience stores, or clothing stores for super affordable prices.
5. Long Puffer Jacket – A must-buy item for your Korean winter shopping list! Beginning a few years ago, the long puffer jacket or ‘long padding’ has become a common Korean winter fashion icon item. During winter, it is common to witness a ‘sea of black puffer jackets’ amongst Korean people, especially in big city settings. These long puffers are a great essential as they cover most of your body from exposure to the cold and wind. These jackets can have a range of different price points, making more expensive styles be made with better quality materials and effectiveness.
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