A man crosses a road before the Kukilgwan Palace in Seoul. [Photo/Agencies]

New-found leisure

Among those with some disposable income, leisure activity is something of an unknown field for a generation whose labor transformed the country from a war-ravaged backwater to Asia's fourth-largest economy.

"This generation spent all their lives working, working and working, and leisure was considered a privilege of the elite," says Hwang Nam-Hui, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

"So many find it hard, and even baffling, just to relax and enjoy themselves after retirement," Hwang says.

Kukilgwan Palace owner Lee says clubs like his offer a vital opportunity to "unwind and just have fun".

His venue attracts 800 visitors on a weekday and up to 1,500 at weekends. The entrance fee is cheap at 1,000 won ($0.8). Most of the club's income comes from food and drinks.

The physical limitations of its elderly patrons are reflected in the noon-6 pm opening hours which, Lee says, work well because most "feel too tired at night".

A well-stocked medicine cabinet contains remedies for a host of possible emergencies, including a sudden drop in sugar levels.

"If a regular suddenly stops coming, it usually means he or she has died," said Lee, who feels attending funerals of loyal customers is part of his job.