Day 96: Tim's Favorite Pass-Time

That's right guys and dolls, Tim likes himself some 노-래-방 (or karaoke for those out there not in the know). Japan equally enjoys karaoke, but the vast amount of karaoke places (literally 'song room') in Korea is amazing. In addition, karaoke in Korea is significantly cheaper than Japan as you pay by the hour and room rather than the number of people. In addition, most of the self-owned places will offer service, especially if you are a frequent customer (usually in the form of extra time and drinks). So, you could pay around 15,000 won for an hour, but you end up getting two or even three hours out of that 15,000 won. Now that's service! This particular picture is of what we call 'luxury 노래방'. The rooms are much cleaner, smell nice, look nice, have better equipment, nicer staff, and just feel better. The downside? More expensive and usually no service; so that 20,000 only gets you one hour. This particular place is famous, located in 홍대, because the outside looks like a giant mansion, and each window is home to a karaoke room where the people below can see the occupants doing their thang. Some interesting things to watch out for. The standard karaoke room is known as 노래방, but you will often see variations on this, including the following: 노래빵, 노래장, 노래짱, 노래집, and 노래룸. All are, in a sense, karaoke rooms, but will often include at least one of the following things: host/hostesses, alcohol, food, and higher prices. My favorite is the 노래연습, which literally means song practice. I have never ventured into one of those, but I'd be keen on finding out one day.