Korea's jangma (장마) season runs from late June through late July, bringing weeks of heavy rain, thick air, and humidity levels that can hit 90%+. Here's how to get through it without losing your mind — or your belongings.

Heavy rainfall can cause sudden flash floods, especially in low-lying areas and semi-basement (banjiha) apartments, so it's worth checking weather alerts on your phone and knowing your building's drainage situation before a big storm hits. Out on the streets, visibility drops fast during downpours and roads turn slick within minutes — slow down if you're driving, and on foot, watch out for manhole covers and tiled sidewalks, which become genuinely treacherous when wet.

Inside, the combination of heat and humidity speeds up food spoilage faster than you'd expect. Don't leave cooked food out for more than an hour, and refrigerate anything you'd normally keep on the counter. The same damp conditions make mold and dust mites thrive, which can trigger allergies and respiratory issues — on particularly muggy days, keeping windows closed and running an air purifier makes a real difference. And needless to say, carry an umbrella everywhere. A compact one in your bag and a full-size one by the office door is not overkill — it's just good jangma sense.

At home, your best weapon is a dehumidifier. Run it daily and aim to keep indoor humidity between 40–60%. No dehumidifier? Switch your AC to dry mode (건조 모드) — it does a surprisingly good job. For closets, shoe cabinets, and under sinks, small containers of 숯 (charcoal) absorb moisture naturally and neutralize odors at the same time. Convenience stores and Daiso also sell ready-made moisture-absorbing packets (습기 제거제) for a few thousand won — stock up at the start of the season.

Laundry is another sneaky humidity culprit. Indoor drying racks spike moisture levels fast, so always run the AC or dehumidifier in whatever room clothes are hanging in. On the rare dry day, throw your wardrobe doors open wide to let air circulate; during rainy stretches, keep them closed so humid air doesn't settle into your clothes and bedding. Condensation on windows, walls near the AC, and bathroom tiles should be wiped down regularly too — left alone, it turns into black mold faster than you'd think. Finally, an old trick that genuinely works: a small bowl of coarse salt or dry rice placed in damp-prone spots pulls moisture from the air in a pinch.

Jangma isn't fun, but a little preparation goes a long way. Stay dry, keep the mold at bay, and look forward to the clear skies and cooler air that follow.