In this cultural post I want to talk about PC bang in Korea. PC bang literally means PC room and it is also known as internet cafes. It is a café where you can play multiplayer computer games for an hourly fee. Although access to personal computers and internet are extremely available in Korea, PC bang is very popular as it provides a social meeting place for gamers to play together with their peers. Another characteristic that makes PC bang so attractive is its ability to offer access to expensive and powerful high-end computers or gaming PCs, designed specifically for video gaming, and exceptional internet speed optimal for the best gaming experience. PC bang also provides all types of food ranging from as simple as cup noodles to actual restaurant menus such as black bean paste noodles (짜장면). Additionally, it is open 24/7 which attracts all the night hour gamers as well. It essentially provides everything you need for optimal gaming experience. As PC gaming culture in Korea is very important, PC bang continuously improve to provide better and more services to customers.
The concept of PC bang was first introduced around the 90s and it was a popular idea for new entrepreneurs during the IMF situation. PC bang is still very popular to a large range of age groups including children, teenagers, and young adults. Few problems were raised due to PC bang such as how users including children fall into game and internet addiction, causing damage to other aspects of life. PC bang exists in other countries, but it is definitely the best and the most developed in Korea without a doubt. What’s more attractive is the in-game benefits that the PC bang can offer. Almost all games in Korea offer PC bang exclusive items and events that promotes gamers to visit PC bang more often. Another element that has contributed to the popularity of PC bangs is the lack of private space for young adults at home. Many Koreans live with their parents until they get married, reflecting Korea’s traditional Confucian extended family system. In addition, with the harsh education system and culture in Korea, many young adults feel like they are under strict rules at home, further influencing young adults to feel the lack of privacy. Korean youth are usually released from the surveillance of the watchful eye of their parents when they become college students or get a job, but freedom does not resolve their lack of privacy, particularly when it comes to romantic relationship in Korea. As a result, PC bang is able to provide the necessary privacy and a way to stress relief for many people.
I have been to PC bang myself in Korea and United States. PC bang in Korea is definitely better because it provides more services there. I remember when I was little, I used to play games with my friends in a local PC bang all the time. The gaming environment is really different in PC bang compared to playing games at home. It almost feels like I can play much better in games when I’m there. If you are a PC gamer, I highly suggest you try out gaming in PC bang.
Comments
Hey Hyeon Jun, I really enjoy reading your post! PC bang is really popular in China, although I have never been to any of them before. However, PC bang becomes a profitable business trend recently and many celebrities have invested in building their own PC bang brand, which turned out to be pretty successfully.
Hey Hyeon Jun, great post! I have never been to a PC bang before. After reading your post, I really want to go one PC bang in South Korea one day. The picture you attached is very nice. One of the TV shows I watched recently also introduce the Korean PC bang. I was impressed by the all kinds of food they can provide in a PC bang. Your post really gives me a whole new idea about PC bang. Hope to be there one day!
Hey Hyeon Jun, this is awesome to read about. I know PC Bangs are a classic and a place to visit for sure when in South Korea. PC Bangs are so advanced and developed in Korea for sure which makes it feel like a totally different place for many and an escape from home as you mentioned. I hope to be able to give it a try when I return to Korea once more.
After reading your post, I'm really regret that I didn't go to the PC bang when I was traveling to Seoul. There are also many PC bang in Beijing, but the environment is quite bad because many people smoke. If I have the chance to travel to Korea again, I will definitely have a try.
This is so cool! At first thought, I wouldn't think that they would be super popular because, from the picture, it doesn't look like people are interacting very much. So I wouldn't see how it would be different from playing at home. But with the culture of extended families and lack of privacy, I can definitely understand the appeal of a PC bang. Especially if the computers are high processing and there's the opportunity for food!
Hey Hyeon Jun, awesome post! PC Bangs are definitely a classic marker of South Korea's entertainment culture. For the amount of video games young people play these days, I'm surprised that this sort of a concept is almost foreign here in the States. However, I have been to one PC Bang here in Chicago that is Korean-based. It's actually pretty decent with different games and also food items, however, like you said, it does not compare to PC Bangs in Korea.