Jung Jun-sung's Yeomindongnak (359) 'Heat Wave, Back Off'...A Battle Against the Cauldron Heat Wave

Among all Joseon kings, Yeonsangun had the most peculiar method of spending the summer.

There is an outlandish historical record that he would sit on bamboo frames with snakes inside and conduct state affairs.

It appears he must have felt both coldness and creepiness simultaneously, making it seem rather grotesque.

However, most common people during the Joseon Dynasty endured summer using fans, bamboo husband pillows, and hemp clothing.

It was a time without air conditioning and electric fans as we have today, yet somehow the sense of coolness feels familiar.

Among these, the cylindrical bamboo husband pillow—made by smoothly finishing bamboo and weaving it loosely together—received particular affection.

It was treasured so much that it was reportedly buried together with a person at their funeral.

Of course, it was not quite as indispensable as the fan, an essential summer tool.

These days, the 'hand fan' has taken its place and has become deeply embedded in popular culture.

Furthermore, the so-called 'cooling product' market—which directly lowers body temperature in daily life—has expanded dramatically.

From cooling vests used at construction sites to fan hats, and various cooling apparel, the variety has become diverse.

The 'wearable fan'—which lowers the perceived temperature by 6 to 7 degrees by attaching a fan inside clothing—is also gaining popularity in the market.

The evolution in neighboring Japan is even steeper. Recently, unique products for responding to heat waves are spreading rapidly.

Particularly noteworthy are adult diapers. Paper diapers that lower internal temperature by approximately 2 degrees are the star.

Additionally, cooling sheets for pets are also being showcased. 'Cooling' technology is expanding throughout everyday life.

Korea too has recently been rolling out cooling products aimed at heat waves.

Cooling sprays to alleviate heat stress in pets are being released, so explanation is unnecessary.

It is sufficient to realize that temperature has become a key variable that determines product planning and marketing.

The entire Korean Peninsula is suffering from a suffocating 'cauldron heat wave.'

Heat waves causing pain and exhaustion are ranked as the worst weather disasters.

This is because casualties from heat waves are greater than those from other weather-related disasters.

Warnings from some sociologists are even more chilling.

If weather disasters like the current ones continue, heat wave deaths of people 65 and older in the seven major cities across the country, including Seoul, are projected to reach a maximum of 222,000 by 2060.

An analysis was also added that this would incur social costs reaching 106 trillion won.

Regardless of these facts, human efforts to overcome this seem almost pathetic.

Forecasts indicate that the 'cauldron heat wave' will persist for at least ten days to a maximum of more than 20 days after 'Mal-bok' in 14 days.

It seems we must strengthen our resolve to battle against the heat wave.