KMK: Onward Ondol!

With the weather here in Seoul moving toward the colder temperatures the time has come for the annual ondol ritual. Don’t fret if you don’t know what ondol is because if you’re living in Korea then you most likely already have it set up in your apartment.

Ondol is the name for the Korean style heating system. Unlike the radiators used in the West, Koreans have developed a unique system that heats the floor. Developed centuries ago by using flues and hot air the ondol of today instead relies on hot water in a process called hydronic radiant floor heating. Water pipes running underneath the floor provide all the warmth and comfort you need on those chilly nights.

The floor of my apartment is covered with a yellow mat that, I guess, helps transfer the heat throughout the apartment. With ondol I can walk around barefoot in a toasty warm aparment without having to worry about those cold spots that inevitably come when the radiator is on the other side of the room. Of course if I get the temperature controls wrong I can wake up to a trial by fire of blistering searing heat scorching my toesies.

Speaking of the controls; deciphering the thermostat proved to be a hit and miss operation. I jiggled a knob, pushed a button, and spun a few dials before I found an appropriate setting between freezing to death and passing out from heat exhaustion. If you can’t figure out the Korean then I suggest asking a co-worker or just doing an improv pantomine session for your landlady. I’m sure she’ll figure out what you want and have a good chuckle too.