Naked Bodies Clearly Visible at Gyeongju Hotel Sauna Sparks Controversy
Hotel Responds to Complaints with Emergency Repair Notice Only
No Mention of Exposure Incident or Apology Included
An incident occurred in the North Gyeongsang region where the protective film on the windows of a large hotel’s women’s sauna was damaged, resulting in the interior of the sauna being exposed to the outside. The hotel acknowledged the situation and began emergency repairs, but the affected customers are now demanding a public apology for all users who may have been exposed.
Women’s Sauna and Locker Room Fully Visible from Walking Path... Incident at Famous Gyeongju Hotel
On August 8, a post titled “Women’s Sauna Visible from Outside” was uploaded to an online community. The author, identified as A, wrote, “A few days ago, I went on a family trip to a well-known hotel in North Gyeongsang for three nights. After spending quality time with my children and visiting the sauna on the last day, I went for a walk in the lawn plaza on the first floor.”
A continued, “While admiring the hotel’s exterior from the lawn plaza, I noticed someone undressed walking around on what appeared to be the third floor. Seeing condensation on the windows, I realized the area was the sauna.” He added, “While discussing the sauna’s layout with my wife, it turned out that was the women’s sauna. From the outside, you could clearly see people’s backs and shoulder blades, and for my wife, who is tall, her lower body would have also been visible while changing.”
A stated, “After complaining to the hotel and returning to our room, my wife felt so ashamed knowing her body had been exposed to the outside that she couldn’t sleep. The lawn plaza is a space anyone can walk through, and I was shocked that not a single staff member had noticed this issue until now.”
To confirm whether the interior of the women’s sauna was visible from outside, A conducted an experiment with the hotel’s cooperation. He claimed, “Not only the sauna but also the locker room was fully visible from outside. You could see not just the outlines of bodies in shadow, but even distinguish what clothes people were wearing.”
The hotel initially insisted, “There is privacy film, so it’s impossible to see inside.” However, after reviewing the photos, the hotel apologized to A. Nevertheless, A’s side felt that there were likely more victims and that an apology alone was insufficient. They requested: ▲suspension of sauna operations and replacement of the window film, and ▲posting an official apology on the hotel website for customers who had been exposed over time.
Hotel: “Aging Film Created Risk of Exposure; Emergency Repairs Underway”
Subsequently, the hotel installed a sign in front of the sauna entrance stating, “The glass film attached to the sauna’s full-length windows has rapidly deteriorated due to high temperatures and abnormal weather, creating concerns about nighttime exposure. Emergency replacement work is underway.” There was no mention of the victims of the exposure.
In response, A said, “Apparently, these two signs are supposed to serve as an apology to the customers who were exposed. They weren’t even posted at the hotel front desk, but only at the sauna entrance.” He continued, “We reiterated our request that the hotel post an acknowledgment and apology on its website, admitting that women’s sauna users’ bodies were exposed over time.”
It was reported that A’s wife, the victim, received psychiatric treatment for trauma following the incident. A concluded, “We are not seeking compensation. We only want the truth to be made known and an apology given to everyone who was unknowingly exposed.”
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