Korea's "Bang" Culture
Published on | Source
Seoul is the heart of Korea.
In 2010, 8.8 million foreigners came to visit Korea, filled with an array of interesting cultural content. What was their most memorable experience[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang is the best!"
It was none other than the "bang" or room culture, unique to Korea.
Korea's "bang" culture, exemplified by the jjimjilbang and the noraebang, is drawing the attention of the media from all over the world. Unlike Western "rooms" which are synonymous with individual spaces, Korean "bang" are spaces that are private and yet opened for everyone.
[Interview : Kim Chan-ho, Professor of General Education Sungkonghoe University] "Korea's "bang" culture has now become a symbol of Korean urban life. The "bang" has developed from rooms in the home and the office to include places where even strangers can spend time together".
This is Myeongdong, the must-visit shopping district for any tourist visiting Seoul. Arirang Today conducted a street survey asking foreign tourists to name their favorite "bang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean Karaoke"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang is the best".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Because I know soju, I like soju".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "I like jjimjilbang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang. Well, it's cheap, and you can drink with your friends, and sing".
So what is the best "bang" chosen by tourists[Interview : ] "This is it!"
The PC bang is ubiquitous in Korea, and it is popular among foreign tourists.
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "I guess it's pretty good, it's pretty fast. It seems be a pretty good place to go for Internet".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Very fast. It's a lot faster than where I'm from. In America, it's not even close".
The PC bang was born seventeen years ago, and has developed into an advanced cultural space that is benchmarked by businesses around the world. The appeal of the PC bang lies in the opportunity to enjoy virtual games with friends.
[Interview : Kim Yeong-hak, PC bang customer] "It's boring to go online alone at home. Coming to a PC bang to play online games with my friends relieves my stress".
[Interview : Lee Seung-ha, PC bang customer] "I don't just come here for the games. This is a great place to surf the Web, watch movies, and enjoy other activities".
[Interview : Bae Jin-yeong, Head of PR Internet PC Culture Association ] "The development of the PC bang was the largest driving force behind Korea's becoming an IT stronghold. It is also the most important contributor to the online gaming industry. The "bang" culture is a unique culture of Korea. It could become part of the definition of being "Korean", and the PC bang culture is included in that".
The Korean noraebang, or "singing room", is often seen in TV dramas and movies. While its stated purpose is to provide a place for singing, noraebang holds a much larger significance for Koreans.
[Interview : Kim Sang-seok, Director Korea Music Culture Research Institute] "Korea's noraebang culture is unique in that everyone in the room comes together to share a single space for singing".
Noraebang is quickly becoming a favorite place for foreign tourists and residents!
In a noraebang, borders of nationality melt away as everyone sings their heart out! Some definitely sing better than others, but everyone has a good time.
[Interview : Elena, Tourist Russia] "Every time I come here with friends and turn on the station, it's like a new time. I feel better after noraebang anyways. It's fun with friends, of course, to be crazy".
[Interview : Yaniss, Tourist Algeria] "At a noraebang, you're laughing, you're singing, you're dancing, you're having fun with your friends. I think it's genius. I've never seen this anywhere else in the world".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean noraebang is the best!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean noraebang is the best!"
[STUDIO]
It's been a while since I've been to the noraebang but it can be so much fun.
I'm not an online gamer but many people love the atmosphere at the PCbang and stay for hours and hours to relieve stress.
In 2010, 8.8 million foreigners came to visit Korea, filled with an array of interesting cultural content. What was their most memorable experience[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Jjimjilbang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang is the best!"
It was none other than the "bang" or room culture, unique to Korea.
Korea's "bang" culture, exemplified by the jjimjilbang and the noraebang, is drawing the attention of the media from all over the world. Unlike Western "rooms" which are synonymous with individual spaces, Korean "bang" are spaces that are private and yet opened for everyone.
[Interview : Kim Chan-ho, Professor of General Education Sungkonghoe University] "Korea's "bang" culture has now become a symbol of Korean urban life. The "bang" has developed from rooms in the home and the office to include places where even strangers can spend time together".
This is Myeongdong, the must-visit shopping district for any tourist visiting Seoul. Arirang Today conducted a street survey asking foreign tourists to name their favorite "bang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean Karaoke"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "PC bang is the best".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Because I know soju, I like soju".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "I like jjimjilbang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Noraebang. Well, it's cheap, and you can drink with your friends, and sing".
So what is the best "bang" chosen by tourists[Interview : ] "This is it!"
The PC bang is ubiquitous in Korea, and it is popular among foreign tourists.
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "I guess it's pretty good, it's pretty fast. It seems be a pretty good place to go for Internet".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Very fast. It's a lot faster than where I'm from. In America, it's not even close".
The PC bang was born seventeen years ago, and has developed into an advanced cultural space that is benchmarked by businesses around the world. The appeal of the PC bang lies in the opportunity to enjoy virtual games with friends.
[Interview : Kim Yeong-hak, PC bang customer] "It's boring to go online alone at home. Coming to a PC bang to play online games with my friends relieves my stress".
[Interview : Lee Seung-ha, PC bang customer] "I don't just come here for the games. This is a great place to surf the Web, watch movies, and enjoy other activities".
[Interview : Bae Jin-yeong, Head of PR Internet PC Culture Association ] "The development of the PC bang was the largest driving force behind Korea's becoming an IT stronghold. It is also the most important contributor to the online gaming industry. The "bang" culture is a unique culture of Korea. It could become part of the definition of being "Korean", and the PC bang culture is included in that".
The Korean noraebang, or "singing room", is often seen in TV dramas and movies. While its stated purpose is to provide a place for singing, noraebang holds a much larger significance for Koreans.
[Interview : Kim Sang-seok, Director Korea Music Culture Research Institute] "Korea's noraebang culture is unique in that everyone in the room comes together to share a single space for singing".
Noraebang is quickly becoming a favorite place for foreign tourists and residents!
In a noraebang, borders of nationality melt away as everyone sings their heart out! Some definitely sing better than others, but everyone has a good time.
[Interview : Elena, Tourist Russia] "Every time I come here with friends and turn on the station, it's like a new time. I feel better after noraebang anyways. It's fun with friends, of course, to be crazy".
[Interview : Yaniss, Tourist Algeria] "At a noraebang, you're laughing, you're singing, you're dancing, you're having fun with your friends. I think it's genius. I've never seen this anywhere else in the world".
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean noraebang is the best!"
[SOV]
[Interview : ] "Korean noraebang is the best!"
[STUDIO]
It's been a while since I've been to the noraebang but it can be so much fun.
I'm not an online gamer but many people love the atmosphere at the PCbang and stay for hours and hours to relieve stress.
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