"Yikes, Crawling in the Wall Cracks"... 'Bedbug Fears' Resurface at Jjimjilbang

Three Complaints Filed in Yeongdo-gu over Bedbug Incidents
Issue Gains Widespread Attention after YouTuber Dahk's Video

Following the mass discovery of bedbugs at a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, a series of customer complaints about bedbug bites have also been reported.

According to Busan City and Yeongdo-gu authorities as of September 28, a total of three complaints about bedbug bites have been received from a jjimjilbang in Yeongdo-gu since September 2. The complainants reported being bitten by insects on their arms and legs after using the facility.

Bedbug

After conducting an on-site inspection, Yeongdo-gu officials found dead bedbugs in the cracks of the jjimjilbang's interior walls. So far, this jjimjilbang is the only establishment in the district with reported bedbug cases, and there have been no additional reports.

The controversy began after a well-known YouTuber visited the jjimjilbang, filmed the inside, and released the video.

On September 26, YouTuber "Dahk" uploaded a video on their YouTube channel, documenting the bedbug situation in the Busan-area jjimjilbang. The footage showed bedbugs emerging from the cracks in the walls and around mattresses where guests stay. In some wall crevices, clusters of what appeared to be eggs, nymphs, and adult bedbugs were filmed together.

In the video, Dahk speculated that dark stains on several wall surfaces were traces of bedbug feces. He commented, "I've seen many places infested with bedbugs, but I've never seen this many traces before." He particularly claimed that bedbugs were concentrated in wall cracks in areas with warm floors, where guests tend to stay for long periods.

A staff member at the scene reportedly explained that bedbug control treatment had already been carried out once at the time of filming. After the footage went viral online, concerns emerged that bedbugs might cling to guests’ clothes or belongings and spread to homes and other locations.

Screenshot from the YouTube channel 'Dahk'

Previously, in 2023, a wave of "bedbug fears" spread nationwide, including reports throughout Seoul and other regions.

Yeongdo-gu has instructed the jjimjilbang to carry out thorough disinfection through a professional pest control company and has recommended that the facility regularly use bedbug-specific insecticides provided inside. The district also ordered that gaps in doors and walls—where bedbugs may hide or move—be sealed with silicone or other materials. However, simply discovering bedbugs at the site does not give local authorities grounds to immediately suspend the facility's business operations.

To check for bedbugs at home or in shared accommodations, one should inspect mattresses, sofas, furniture, and wall cracks. Bedbugs tend to be most active in the early morning hours (around 3–4 a.m.) rather than in the evening, so they are frequently spotted during this time. If bitten by bedbugs, it is advised to wash the affected area with water and soap and seek treatment according to symptoms by consulting a doctor or pharmacist. Additionally, a combination of physical treatment using a steam cleaner or dryer on the affected area and chemical treatment with insecticides is necessary to control bedbug infestations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.