Spa to serve expatriates

THALAC Therapy set to attract foreign customers

By Yun Suh-young

Expatriates might feel the urge to relax in a spa from time to time. But it’s not easy for them to indulge in the luxury of a spa visit here due to the language barrier among other reasons.

They are now able to enjoy a spa where an English service is available. THALAC Cosmetic Therapy in southern Seoul opened in July last year and has started spa and massage services in English. It held a promotional event Saturday.

Foreign visitors may receive consultations in English to choose the right treatment and also receive explanations on them during the spa and massage therapy. English speaking staff will be on standby everyday during regular working hours from Monday to Saturday.

“Our spa has now expanded its services to many foreigners living in Seoul. I hope many of you can come and enjoy the treatments without language difficulties,” said Lim Su-a, director of the Gangnam branch of THALAC Cosmetic Therapy.

The branch uses the French cosmetic, THALAC, for all of its services ranging from spa treatments to facial, full or partial body massages. It is the only branch in Korea which directly controls THALAC cosmetics from Paris.

For foreign customers, the center added a new waxing program. Prices range from 10,000 won ($9) to 70,000 won.

“We don’t have a waxing program for Korean customers, but since foreigners often ask for it, we decided to provide the service,” said Kim Hee-sun, head director of the center.

“We also expanded our original program for local customers to foreign residents because we now have English speaking staff. We have had some foreign customers before, but they were mainly tourists. Now we’re planning to expand our customer pool to all foreign residents in Korea.”

At the ceremony to celebrate the center’s opening of its English service, foreign and local visitors were able to receive sample massages.

Some visitors were lucky enough to win a raffle to receive partial or full spa treatments and massage services for free.

“I really enjoyed it. It was very relaxing and soothing,” said Tyrone Maxey, after a sample massage. He received the first prize for a full massage service. “I’ll definitely be coming back next time.”

The ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman was also present at the event.

“People from the embassy are interested in services like this. I came here to see how the facility and the service are so that I can recommend this place to foreign guests when they visit Korea,” said Ambassador Mohamed Alharthy.

THALAC Cosmetic Therapy is located in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, near Gangnam Subway Station, exit 10. The business hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 02-538-2588 or 010-4443-8023.