Since we’ve shared some family-friendly places to chill and hang out in the last article, let’s let loose and have fun in the next ones!
3. Norae Bang (노래방)
No exploration of Korean “room culture” is complete without the noraebang, the karaoke room! It’s where Koreans go to sing their hearts out at any time of the day, to release stress after school or work, or to celebrate anything from birthdays to breakups.
Each noraebang offers a private soundproof booth equipped with microphones, disco lights, tambourines, and an endless song catalogue that includes everything from K-pop to Western classics. There will be a keyboard-looking pad where you can use it to input your songs. And unlike in Singapore, where you can pick Korean songs and follow along the romanizations, it is full hangeul in Korea, so this is where your basic Korean classes become handy! Here at Sejong Korean Language School, we offer structured Korean classes for beginners. Students will be able to read and write all Korean words in just 1 term of classes.
A personal favourite is the coin noraebang, also known as co-no (코노). You can just type this into your Naver or Kakao maps, and it will show you the nearest ones from your location. This is a budget-friendly option and often a paradise for introverts due to the minimal, if not zero, human interaction. There will usually be a kiosk outside the rooms. You first select an available booth, then you can choose to pay either by the number of songs you want to sing or the total duration. Pro tip: In Korea, there’s a function to skip past the instrumental music of the song so you can start singing right away. So paying by duration may often be the most economical choice!
Once you make payment, grab one of those microphone covers and make your way to the room. The timer starts instantly, so quickly input your songs and sing away. The moment the music starts, the disco lights turn on, so feel free to go wild in the soundproof rooms. The experience is wonderfully freeing: no judgment, no audience, just you (and your friends) belting out tunes with unfiltered energy.
If you are going with friends, you can also set up the machine to give you a score based on your singing after each song (it’s a great way to compete to see who sings the best). And the best part? These noraebang can be found in almost every neighbourhood in the cities. So the next time you have an awkward block of time between your plans and you don’t know where to spend the next hour, drop by one, and I can guarantee you that it will not become your last visit!
4. PC Bang (피씨방)
PC bang means “computer room,” but to gamers, it’s more like a digital playground. Open 24 hours a day, these sleek, neon-lit spaces are filled with high-performance PCs, ergonomic chairs, and lightning-fast internet. You can play everything from League of Legends to Valorant and even simple family-friendly games.
When you walk in, you’ll usually be greeted at a front counter or by a sign-in kiosk. Many places use a membership or account system. You’ll either hand your ID (foreign passport or ARC card) to the staff to register once, or directly log in with your Korean game account. Some smaller places are completely self-serve: you grab an open seat, turn on the PC, and the billing starts automatically.
You can usually expect rows of premium desktop PCs with ergonomic chairs and noise-cancelling headsets. The internet speed is one of the biggest draws (also an ideal place if you need to snatch those concert tickets!). In larger or premium PC bangs, seats may be divided into different types, suitable for any company you bring. You can go solo, opt for private booths if you’re looking for privacy, or choose the social area with your group if you’re looking to game together. Don’t be surprised to hear some excited shouting.
And in my humble opinion, here’s where PC bang culture really shines. You can order food from your seat, and within 10-15 minutes, the staff will deliver your food right to your desk, on a tray. It’s a little like room service in the middle of a gaming arena. If you plan to visit a PC bang, do yourself a favor and just skip lunch. In the online community, some places are fondly dubbed as PC bang matjip (맛집), which can be translated to “a good restaurant” as the food quality and variety there can easily rival established eateries.
The idea of spending time in rooms might sound confining, but in Korea, each bang represents a space where people can unwind and connect. The highlights of travel aren’t always grand landmarks. Sometimes, it’s small and unassuming moments that provide you with glimpses of the local culture.
Curious to find out more about Korean culture? At Sejong Korean Language School, our classes do not pass on cultural education, which is a crucial aspect of learning a new language. All our teachers are native Koreans, so you can be sure that they will be able to satisfy any curiosity you may have about Korean culture. Enquire today to find out more!
Written by: Ms Luisa Lim, November 2025