• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.189-198
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the preferences of hot spring users regarding the utilization of Asan's hot springs after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey was conducted on 340 hot spring users visiting hot spring resorts in the Onyang, Dogo, and Asan hot spring districts. The survey was conducted twice from November 5th to November 7th, 2021, and from May 25th to 26th, 2022. The survey included general questions, such as the frequency of hot spring usage, the purpose of visits, and the intention for future visits. Specific questions were related to Asan hot springs, focusing on the reasons for choosing Asan, its perceived advantages, and improvement suggestions. Results: The survey revealed that the average number of visits to hot springs was less than five in the past five years, and the main reason for visiting was to recover from fatigue. A percentage of respondents said they would use hot springs more often when the COVID-19 pandemic ends. When asked about their reasons for visiting Asan hot springs, responses varied by age. However, across all groups, the majority considered "good water" as an advantage of Asan hot springs, while improvements to "hot spring facilities" was the highest response among all age groups. Thus, despite the decline in the number of customers due to COVID-19, the overall perception of hot springs remains positive. This suggests a promising future for the hot spring industry, with the potential for a return to pre-pandemic usage levels. Conclusion: These results provide valuable foundational data for informing policy development aimed at revitalizing the hot spring industry in the post-COVID-19 era.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.61-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The Asan Hot Springs are adjacent to the Seoul Metropolitan area and have excellent traffic access. However, a steady decline in tourist numbers followed the decline in the urban population. This study aims to provide participants with a hot springs visit as part of their independent tourism experience and then analyze their feedback to obtain meaningful suggestions to enhance local tourism. Methods: We recruited 12 families interested in taking a two-day, one-night tour, including a visit to the Asan Hot Springs. Participating families were grouped into two cohorts (Type C and Type A) depending on whether they included children aged one to ten. Each family answered a survey regarding their overall satisfaction with the Asan Hot Springs and provided targeted feedback regarding hot spring resorts, accommodations, restaurants, adjacent tourist spots, and tourism costs. Results: Most of the families that participated in the study were residents of Seoul, Incheon, or Kyunggi (74.47%); the majority were two-generation families (75%) with children (75%). The Type C group enjoyed the campsite (55.56%) accommodations at the Asan Hot Springs more than their Type A counterparts. Families visited an average of 3.6 places during their stay, and 61.11% of participating families visited entertainment and tourist attractions, including the Type C visit to the thermal bath. Compared with Type A, Type C families spent more on tourism and were more satisfied with the entertainment and tourist attractions experience. Overall, all study participants were satisfied with the thermal sources. Conclusion: Our results indicate that families with children have a higher added value than visitor groups consisting only of adults. Considering the significant impact on the local economy, the Asan Hot Springs and associated tourist attractions and services should be developed with these visitors in mind.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.110-123
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• 2024

Onyanghaenggung Palace(temporary palace at Onyang) is an important cultural heritage that can substantially confirm the king's visiting at hot springs based on literature records such as <Ongungyeonggoedae(溫宮靈槐臺)>, <Oncheonhaenggungdo(溫泉行宮圖)> of 『Ongungsasil(溫宮事實)』, <Younggoedaedo(靈槐臺圖)>, 『Younggoedaegi(靈槐臺記)』 and cultural properties such as Yeonggoedae(靈槐臺) and Shinjeong Monument(神井碑). Through a photo taken by Hermann Sander in 1906, it can be confirmed that the hot springs(Tangsil building) at Onyanghaenggung Palace during the Joseon Dynasty was maintained until the early Japanese colonial period. The purpose of this study is to estimate the compositions of the hot springs(Tangsil building) in Onyanghaenggung Palace based on literature records and <Oncheonhaenggungdo>(1795). To achieve these purposes, we firstly examined the changes in Onyanghaenggung Palace and the hot springs (Tangsil building); secondly, the bathing behaviors of kings were reviewed; thirdly, we organized the architectural composition of the hot springs (Tangsil building) according to "Ongung Repair" of 『Ongungsasil (溫宮事實)』; and fourthly, by comparing Sander's photo in the early days of Japanese colonial rule, the architectural composition of the hot springs (Tangsil building) in the late Joseon Dynasty was examined. The results of this study are as follows. First, the hot springs(Tangsil building) of Onyanghaenggung Palace were continuously connected to the Onjeongsil(溫井室) in the reign of King Hyeonjong and maintained until 『Hoseo-eupji』 (1871) in the late Joseon Dynasty. It matches the photograph taken by Hermann Sander(1906) and <1912 Onyang Hot Springs in Asan City>(1912) of Korea Copyright Commission during the early Japanese colonial period. Second, the various king's bathing methods during the Joseon Dynasty were adopted such as washing, spilling and bathing head while sitting on a bathing platform or chair, or exposing the steam of hot spring water, dipping feet into the water and a half-body soaking bath below the navel immersed in water. Third, the stone bathtubs of hot springs(Tangsil building) are composed of the upper bath which was hot spring water gushes out from the northwest, bends to the east, enters the middle bath, and bends to the south to come out to the outside to gather in the lower bath. Around the stone bathtubs, pebble stones brought in from Taean were laid on the floor of the hot springs(Tangsil building). From the above considerations, the compositions of the Tangsil building in Onyang Temporary Palace is based on the king's approach from the main royal building, the king's bathing method and bathing tools, the bathing behavior of enlisted medical officers and bathing assistants, and each rooms mentioned in "Ongung Repair". By comparing it with Hermann Sander's photo, the architectural compositions of the hot springs(Tangsil building) can be estimated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.1467-1478
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• 2008

This paper is to suggest a concrete way about imperiled domestic hot spring tourism and then provide some ideas to solve the problems related to public health promotion, aging society. In this paper, the author proposes the healthy tourism formation to solve such above problems. The author also proposes Asan Hot spring areas as the most healthy places for tourists. Therefore, this paper introduces that Asan Hot Spring Areas will contribute to the economic development in Korea. There will contribute to improve the nation's image and produce much more benefits by hot spring resources develop of the A-San springs area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2018

This study aimed to develop unique, local "food tourism" products by finding specialized items that combine tourist attractions, such as folklore or hot springs. Traditional ingredients were analyzed with ancient texts for the methods of research. A brand image was made possible utilizing hot spring lore and other regional stories. The tofu products were produced using local specialty beans. Products, such as tofu residue cake and willow bean tea, were made with the tofu residue. After the products were completed, the sensory test began at the local tourist attraction. Asan City's food tourism product willow tofu was made with beans that were given as compensation for building the Onyang temporary palace according to the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and the willow tree that appears in Sunshin Lee's anecdotes. After the preference test between normal tofu and willow-extract tofu was conducted to measure the product potential of willow tofu, among the sample extracts, 0.04% of the willow extract showed a significant preference. The hot spring tofu-residue cake was baked using tofu residue and vegetable olive oil to substitute for animal oil, such as butter, or margarine. After the sensory test targeting the adults was conducted, both products displayed significant product potential with average scores above 5.0. Willow tree bark, which has antioxidation and anti-inflammatory effects without a bitter taste or strong smell, was proven to bean appropriate ingredient for leached tea. The nutty flavor of leached tea was enhanced by roasted green kernel black beans and willow tree bark. The sensory test showed that the leached tea and tofu received a high preference rating on both color and flavor.