In Korea karaoke is more than just a hobby or extracurricular activity, it’s a way of life. It doesn’t matter where you are or whether it’s day or night, there will be a local noraebang close at hand for you to belt out that song that’s been playing in your head. Noraebangs, singing rooms, cover the country. There seem to be so many that sometimes I think that everytime a Korean child is born a noraebang room is built in celebration.
My friends and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see what the fuss is all about, so we popped into a local noraebang in Suwon and began our journey into the world of Korean karaoke. In case you’re wondering, the first thing to note is that noraebangs, like people, come in all shapes and sizes and colors. If you’re alone and just dying to croon to a R&B love song then you can slip into a noraebang about the size of a phone booth, drop in your coins, and sing another sad love song to get the blues out of your system.
On the other hand, if you’re with a group of mates, and you all are dying to snarl along to a Billy Idol Eighties rock jam then you can stampede into a deluxe three story noraebang complete with glass floors, gaudy neon lights, man-sized speakers, leather furniture, and a floor to ceiling LCD screen all provided to give you and your friends a visceral rock star concert experience you always wish you had.
The fun gets even better since it doesn’t ever have to stop. That’s right, no need to leave for a bite to eat or a quick drink because any noraebang worth its name will have snacks, booze, and soda on hand for purchase.
Don’t be shy, the noraebang welcomes everyone. You can find pre-teens singing alongside elderly couples and white shirt professionals groving next to blue collar delivery guys. So next time you’re out and about and in quick need of a microphone and a song book then jump into the nearest noraebang and sing your heart out.
