[Jeong Jun-sung's Yeomindongnak (359)] 'Heat, Back Off'…Fighting Against the Cauldron-Like Extreme Heat

Among all the Joseon kings in history, Yeonsangun had the most unusual method of enduring summer.

There are bizarre historical records indicating he would sit on a bamboo frame containing snakes to conduct state affairs.

It seems he must have felt both coolness and eeriness simultaneously, making it somewhat grotesque.

However, most common people during the Joseon era endured summer with fans, bamboo sleeping mats, and ramie cloth clothing.

While it was a time without air conditioners and electric fans like today, it somehow feels refreshing.

Among these, the tubular bamboo sleeping mat—crafted by carefully smoothing bamboo and weaving it loosely together—received particularly strong affection.

It was so highly valued that it was reportedly buried along with the deceased at funeral ceremonies.

Of course, it was not quite on the same level as the fan, an essential summer tool.

These days, the 'handheld fan' has taken on that role and become deeply rooted in popular culture.

Meanwhile, so-called 'cooling products' that directly lower body temperature in daily life have also expanded dramatically.

From cooling vests used at construction sites to fan hats, and various cooling clothing, the variety has diversified.

The 'wearable fan'—equipped with a fan inside clothing to lower perceived temperature by 6 to 7 degrees—is also popular on the market.

The evolution in neighboring Japan is even steeper. Recently, unique heat-response products are rapidly spreading.

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

Additionally, cooling sheets for pets are also being introduced. The 'cooling' technology is expanding throughout daily life.

Korea too has recently seen a succession of cooling products launched targeting extreme heat.

Cooling sprays to alleviate heat stress in pets are being released—no explanation is necessary.

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

The entire Korean peninsula is suffering from a stuffy 'cauldron-like extreme heat.'

Extreme heat, which causes agony and exhaustion, is considered the worst meteorological disaster.

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

Some sociologists' warnings are even more dire.

If weather disasters like this continue, deaths from extreme heat among those 65 and older in seven major cities nationwide including Seoul by 2060 could reach a maximum of 222,000.

They added analysis that this would generate social costs reaching 106 trillion won.

Even without considering such facts, humanity's efforts to overcome seem pathetic.

The forecast indicates that the 'cauldron-like extreme heat' will persist for at least ten days and up to more than twenty days after 'Malbok' (the last of the three hot periods) in fourteen days from now.

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