Why do Koreans put up tents at home (10 photos)
The people of the land of morning freshness are amazing and enterprising. They, like all Asians, honor and observe ancient traditions, respect the older generation, are extremely sensitive to spending and know how hard money is earned, and also... they set up tourist tents inside their apartments and houses. 
Tent in a Korean's apartment
Foreigners, encountering this phenomenon for the first time, suggested that Koreans do this in order to thoroughly dry the tent (for example, before going on a trip) or during a children's game of “hut”. Remember, many of you probably also built huts from available materials: chairs, blankets and pillows? But the Koreans didn’t bother and just set up a real tent! 
A hut made from improvised means
In reality, everything is much simpler. In my previous articles, I have already said more than once that in South Korea, as in other Asian countries, there is no centralized heating in most areas. And energy prices are so high that it’s easier to live without heating at all than to pay a lot of money for literally “golden” heat. The sharp rise in electricity prices has become especially noticeable in recent years, all due to the closure of nuclear reactors. 
Koreans without heat
That is why today the issue of heating in each individual Korean apartment and in each individual house is solved in its own way. Some Koreans buy electric heaters, which, in fact, are also very expensive. Others install “warm floors” in their homes, but only in one living room or in the bathroom. It costs a fortune to equip an entire apartment with “warm floors”! But Koreans wouldn't be Koreans if they didn't figure out a way to "beat the system." 
"Warm floors" in South Korea
Despite the fact that South Korea is generally considered a prosperous and progressive country, there are plenty of people living in poverty. Many citizens of South Korea are forced to literally eke out a miserable existence, living in basements that were built as bunkers in case of conflict with the North, and almost every day they have to decide for themselves the question: “What is more important - food or warmth?” 
Slums in South Korea
Quite a difficult choice, especially considering the fact that the last couple of winters in South Korea have been experiencing uncharacteristically severe frosts for this region. In addition, the government never tires of “delighting” its citizens with news about ever new tariff increases... 
Slums in South Korea
In general, after thinking carefully, the poor but resourceful Koreans (by scientific means, no less) came up with the idea of staying warm using ordinary tourist tents. 
Tent in a Korean's apartment
This method works as follows: Koreans set the thermostats in their homes to minimal air heating (usually up to 15 degrees Celsius), lock themselves in tents, climb into a warm sleeping bag and try not to leave it unless absolutely necessary. The airtight material from which the tent is made allows you to retain heat inside. 
Tent in a Korean's apartment
And considering that a tent costs about $20, which is an order of magnitude less than the monthly heating bill in a small apartment, this method of saving looks very convincing! And, I must say, this life hack is used with pleasure by both single Koreans and families with children. This option for spending the night is especially interesting for kids, because children, for the most part, are ready to sleep anywhere but in their own beds! 
Tent in a Korean's apartment
In addition to tents, Koreans resort to other methods of saving heat: for example, they reduce the heating temperature of the water in the boiler from 60 to 40 degrees, insulate the windows using special insulating curtains, and also seal the gaps between the frames and windows with improvised means. 
Tent in a Korean's apartment
