Korean traditional heating system 'Ondol'.

While living in Korea you may face problem to heat your room. The way of heating in Korea and western is little bit different. In western country, there are fireplace. But in Korea fireplace is hardly used. Electronic heater is also often used but in Korean prefer use heat from the bottom of floor which called an ondol(온돌).

Ondol : An ondol, also called gudeul, in Korean traditional architecture, is underfloor heating which uses direct heat transfer from wood smoke to the underside of a thick masonry floor. In modern usage it refers to any type of underfloor heating, or a hotel or sleeping room in Korean (as opposed to Western) style.

The main components of the traditional ondol are a firebox or stove (agungi; 아궁이) accessible from an adjoining (typically kitchen or master bedroom) room, a raised masonryfloor underlain by horizontal smoke passages, and a vertical, freestanding chimney on the opposite exterior providing a draft. The heated floor is supported by stone piers or baffles to distribute the smoke, covered by stone slabs, clay and an impervious layer such as oiled paper.

This Korean architectural element is similar to the kang bed-stove found in nearby Northern China and Manchuria, which is used in and constructed similarily to the ondol. - from : wikipedia

Traditional Ondol is little bit hard to find in modern city but ondol affect on it. You may easily find under heating system in Korea somewhere in studio apartment or dormitory. This kind of under heating system use boiler and hot water to heat room. But it is origin from the Ondol. Personally I really like ling on the floor and relaxing on the Ondol. It's wonderful. One of room in my grandparents house was traditional Ondol, when I was a little kid. Every time visit there I always burn firewood and enjoyed it.

Don't be embarrassed if you couldn't find any heater or fireplace the heating system would be under the floor.

Let's share your experience and make a better world with MANNAM. If you have any idea or question, please feel free to let me know.