SPA 1978 (Formerly SPA 1899) DONGINBI Red Ginseng Ritual & Therapy

SPA 1978 builds its treatments around six-year-grown Korean red ginseng, used in DONGINBI skincare and massage oil. The draw is not just a facial or massage, but a chance to try a Korean ginseng-focused spa ritual in a quiet Gangnam setting.

I like the clear choice of facial, body or foot care at the 60-minute level, and the use of red ginseng products gives the treatments a distinct local identity. The main catch: the session is short, and the time for things such as a foot soak may come out of the treatment itself.

Key points

• Three ways to spend an hour: Choose a facial, body massage or foot treatment, each designed around red ginseng products.
• A Gangnam address near Samseong Station: The spa is in the KT&G Tower, a short walk from Line 2’s Samseong Station.
• The treatment is the main event: The 60-minute option starts at $126.79, while longer packages cost more and cover additional care.
• Plan the appointment before arrival: Reserve a date and time through the spa’s website and include your Klook voucher number in the comment field.
• A calm, no-hard-sell setting: The spa’s clean, quiet atmosphere and attentive therapists are recurring strengths, while service details can vary by treatment.

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Red ginseng is the idea behind the whole visit

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SPA 1978, formerly known as SPA 1899, is the Gangnam spa associated with the DONGINBI red ginseng skincare line. The treatment concept draws on Korean red ginseng cultivated over six years, paired with 1899 Signature Oil in the massage services.

That gives the experience a clearer identity than a standard hotel massage. You are choosing a treatment built around a specific Korean ingredient, not simply picking a room and hoping for a generic relaxation session. The spa describes ginseng as central to its approach to skin care and well-being, though you should think of the treatment as personal care, not medical therapy.

The overall customer rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 343 ratings. That points to a strong track record, especially for therapist skill, comfort and the spa’s peaceful feel. It does not mean every treatment will match your preferences, so be clear about what you want from the hour.

Choose your hour: facial, body or foot care

The Single Care option costs from $126.79 and lasts 60 minutes. You choose one focus, so it is worth deciding what would feel most useful before you book.

The facial treatment uses the Red Ginseng Moisture line to support the skin’s moisture balance. It includes a facial massage with antioxidant-rich 1899 Signature Oil. If you want a relaxing skin-care appointment rather than a clinical facial with extractions, this is the better fit: one treatment description notes simple cleansing and massage rather than pimple squeezing.

The body option combines 1899 Signature Oil with acupressure massage. It is intended to ease stress and settle the body and mind. Pressure is adjustable, and the service has been praised for therapists who pay attention to tight areas without making the massage painfully forceful. If you have a sore shoulder or a pressure preference, say so before the treatment begins.

The foot option focuses on acupressure points, using the same signature oil. It is designed to ease tired feet and encourage circulation. This could suit you after a day of walking around Seoul, though the treatment’s claims about releasing toxins should be treated as spa language, not a proven health result.

A practical detail matters here: some treatment descriptions and accounts include a foot soak, and that time may count toward the booked session. Ask what is included in your chosen package and how the hour is divided. If you want a long massage, do not assume every minute will be hands-on massage.

What the visit feels like, from check-in to tea

Expect a calm, carefully presented space rather than a lively public bathhouse. The atmosphere is described as clean and quiet, with a light ginseng scent. The scent may not be strong throughout the treatment, so choose this spa for the products and massage experience, not for an all-day cloud of ginseng aroma.

Some appointments begin with ginseng tea and small refreshments, and tea or snacks may also be offered afterward. These details add a pleasant pause around the treatment, but they are not the core value. The therapist’s technique and the fit between your chosen treatment and your needs matter more.

The spa’s work is often praised for being attentive and professional. Facial treatments are described as gentle, while body massage pressure can be adjusted. Some treatment accounts also describe therapists working on the scalp, neck, shoulders, hands or feet as part of a longer package. Those extras should not be assumed for every 60-minute option, so check the precise inclusions when booking.

The general mood is restorative rather than theatrical. You are not signing up for a long cultural lesson about ginseng. You are getting a modern Korean spa treatment with a clear product focus, skilled hands and a quieter setting. That distinction helps set the right expectation.

Longer packages trade time for more coverage

If one hour feels too brief, SPA 1978 offers several longer options. The most-booked package is Full Care: Face + Full Body + Foot + Head, a 180-minute treatment priced from $294.59. It is the most extensive choice listed, covering multiple areas rather than asking you to choose just one.

The Signature Multi Care: Slow-Aging starts at $212.55. There are also Multi Care options focused on Purifying, described as the Defense Line, and Balancing, described as the Moisture Line, each from $212.55. An Autumn Promotion version of Slow-Aging is listed from $223.75. Prices and promotions can change, so confirm the amount and inclusions when you book.

A longer appointment makes sense if you want a full spa outing and have room in your Seoul schedule. The three-hour package has been described as including head-to-toe care, and some longer treatments may include bathing or hydrotherapy elements. However, not every package necessarily includes the same sequence or facilities. Read the specific package details rather than assuming that the Full Care description applies to all Multi Care options.

The price gap between the 60-minute service and a longer package is substantial, but so is the difference in time and coverage. The single treatment is a focused introduction. The three-hour option is closer to a half-day reset. If you are uncertain about pressure, products or how your skin responds, an hour is the lower-commitment way to try the spa.

Getting to SPA 1978 in the KT&G Tower

The address is B2, KT&G Tower, 416 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. From Samseong Station on Subway Line 2, take Exit 2, walk straight for about two to three minutes, then enter the KT&G building and take the elevator to B2.

The building is convenient once you know where you are going, but the spa can take a little finding inside. Look for the correct elevator and basement level, and allow extra time rather than arriving at the last minute. Some routes from central Seoul, including Dongdaemun, can take around 40 minutes to Gangnam, with traffic affecting road journeys.

Arrive five to ten minutes before your appointment. If you are late, the treatment may be shortened, which matters when you have paid for a fixed-length session. The location is not stroller- or wheelchair-accessible, so that is an important limitation to consider before booking.

Booking details that can make or break the hour

This is an open voucher valid for 60 days from confirmation. You must reserve your preferred date and time through the SPA 1978 website after buying the voucher. In the website’s comment field, enter your Klook voucher number. The voucher is automatically redeemed when you make that reservation, and it can be cancelled before redemption.

Keep the mobile voucher handy for arrival. The spa’s reservation page is https://spa1978.co.kr/en1978/reservation.html. The voucher expires at 18:00 on its final valid day, so do not leave your appointment planning until the last moment.

If you are booking for two or more people, add each person’s gender in the reservation notes for room arrangements. If you are a couple and want a private room together, note that request as well; the spa will be informed, but the request should not be treated as guaranteed.

The offer is not available to Korean passport holders. There is no age limit, and the same price applies to all ages. Smoking and drinking are prohibited, and anyone caught doing either will be asked to leave. Personal expenses beyond the treatment are not included.

Who will get the most from this treatment?

This spa suits you if you want a polished, quiet treatment built around Korean red ginseng products, and you value a capable massage more than a dramatic spa setting. It is also a good option for a rest day, a birthday treat or a final-day reset before heading home.

The 60-minute facial makes sense if your priority is hydration and a gentle facial massage. Choose body care if muscle tension is the main issue, and foot care if your legs have had a long week of city walking. If you are looking for a full range of treatments, the three-hour package is the more logical pick, provided you have time and are comfortable with the higher price.

I would be cautious if you expect a highly individualized dermatology service, a long massage within the 60-minute slot, or a strong red ginseng fragrance throughout. A spa treatment can leave your skin feeling refreshed, but results vary, and the experience is not a substitute for clinical skin care.

At $126.79, the single treatment is not a bargain-basement massage. The value comes from the specialized products, trained therapists and calm setting. If you mainly want the cheapest way to rest your feet, there are likely simpler options. If the red ginseng theme and attentive care appeal to you, the price is easier to justify.

Should you book SPA 1978?

Book it if you want a quiet Gangnam spa appointment with a distinct red ginseng focus, and you are willing to plan ahead for a set time. The 60-minute facial, body and foot choices make it easy to match the visit to your needs, while the longer packages offer a more complete spa day.

Skip it if you need step-free access, want to walk in without a reservation, or expect a bargain treatment with every minute devoted to massage. For most people, the best way to decide is simple: choose the single-care option for a focused first visit, and save the three-hour package for a day when you want the spa itself to be the main event.

FAQ

How long is the Single Care treatment?

The Single Care option lasts 60 minutes. You choose a facial, body or foot treatment.

How do I reserve a time?

After buying the voucher, check availability and reserve through the SPA 1978 website. Enter your Klook voucher number in the comment field.

How long is the voucher valid?

The open voucher is valid for 60 days from the booking confirmation date. It expires at 18:00 on the last day.

Where is SPA 1978?

It is on B2 of the KT&G Tower at 416 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. From Samseong Station, take Line 2 Exit 2 and walk about two to three minutes.

Can Korean passport holders use this offer?

No. The offer is not available to Korean passport holders.

Is the spa wheelchair-accessible?

No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.