Norebang

Last night was my first time in a Korean Norebang (Nore=Singing Bang=Room). It was a Korean karaoke bar. Our group of eight rented out a room which is equipped with a large screen TV, couch, table with snacks, two microphones and two tambourines. You pay for a hour of the room and can program the TV with a large selection of English language songs and a seemingly limitless selection in Korean. The Norebang also gives you a score for every song you sing. My epic rendition of "Livin on a Prayer" got a 98 whereas "Break Free" was a measly 58. It was a great way to end the night after a couple drinks and it was just plain fun! Also I have no shame and will sing anywhere but the appeal was being surrounded by only friends.

Norebangs a huge in Korea, the picture above is of a portable Norebang in a Reststop (which are more like mini shopping malls placed every 30 minutes down the highway). Their popularity exploded around 2003 and my Korean friends told me it used to be difficult to find a room. I find this difficult to believe considering if I look out the door from my school building I can see four Norebangs in one intersection! If anyone comes to visit me I can promise one rocking group Norebang.