Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway

Hot packs - How Koreans keep warm during winter

Anna Kopperud Andersen

Korean winters are cold, dry and sunny. Even though the temperature in Norway is way lower, the Korean winters can be just as cold. During winter, the wind can chill to the bone, pushing you to think of solutions to fight off the cold. Other than dressing warm with layers and long padded jackets, Koreans have a hidden item to keep warm during winter - the hot pack!  

A hot pack (핫팩) is a small warm pack that costs about 1,000 won (less than 10 NOK) and stays warm for hours! Hot packs are very popular and can be purchased almost anywhere in the Republic of Korea. They come in various sizes and vary in how long they stay warm. You have small ones that can easily be put into your pockets or shoes. There are bigger ones that last for a longer period of time and there are also those with tape which can be attached onto your clothes. They do get hot, so be careful when putting the hot pack directly on your skin. To activate the hot pack, you just need to open the package, shake it for a couple of times and then put it into your pocket to keep it warm.   

You do not have to know Korean words to be able to understand how high the heat will be or for how long the warmth of the hot pack will last. The two things you can look out for are the symbol ℃ and the korean word 시 or 시간. The Republic of Korea uses celcius (℃) to show the temperature, and by looking for the number next to the word 시 or 시간 you will be able to know how long the warmth will last. The blue hot pack in the picture below shows 15시간, which tells you that the hot pack would work with continuous heat for 15 hours. 

In recent years, the hot packs have been developed and you are now able to find reusable hot packs as well. For example, there are microwavable and rechargeable hot packs. Instead of using the hot pack once and throwing it away, you are able to use the same hot pack over and over again. Regardless of whether the hot pack is disposable or rechargeable, it will keep you warm. It’s a popular item in the Republic of Korea for a reason and it is a good item to bring with you to places with cold winters.  

Source 

Climate - South Korea, Climates to travel, Retrieved November 2021, from https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/south-korea 

Image source  

Images taken by, Anna Kopperud Andersen