Pillow talk: Take a nap at a luxury 'hanok' in Seoul

People take a nap at a traditional Korean house, or “hanok,” in the Namsangol Traditional Korean Village, in central Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Chyung Eun-ju

South Korea is notorious for exorbitantly long working hours and consequent sleep deprivation. And this has laid the groundwork for “nap cafes” to flourish in business districts.

Now a cluster of luxury “hanok” in central Seoul has joined the trend, offering a rare opportunity to experience a traditional house in a cozy 19th-century setting.

Namsangol Traditional Korean Village has launched the “Namsangol Vacance” program. It will continue through August 31, allowing visitors to have a one-hour nap at the hanok for 3,000 won ($2.67). The service is available from Wednesday to Saturday, 1 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests will be given pillows, blankets and other material that might be helpful for a comfortable sleep.

The hanok was owned by a member of the royal family from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and a pro-Japanese Korean politician during Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula (1910-45).