[MORNING CALM TALES] Descending into Korea's first PC bangs
The first time I went to a PC bang in Korea, it wasn’t for the internet. It was 1998, and I went with several of my students to play StarCraft, a game they raved about the way Americans talked about the Super Bowl. Like every other trend that swept the nation, PC bangs were appearing faster than a pop-up window on your computer screen. They were the cheapest way of accessing the internet in…
![[MORNING CALM TALES] Descending into Korea's first PC bangs](/img/5642496)
In 1998, the author visited a PC bang in Korea for the first time. They weren't there for the internet connection, but to play StarCraft, a game that was popular among his students, much like how Americans discussed the Super Bowl. The proliferation of PC bangs seemed to mirror the rapid spread of other trends across the nation.
The author explained that PC bangs were the most affordable means of accessing the internet in Korea, particularly during the Asian financial crisis. "PC" stood for personal computer, referring to a large monitor and CPU that often froze unexpectedly. However, "bang" in Korean simply translates to room, a straightforward term that effectively conveyed its purpose.
The PC bang they visited was situated in a district filled with traditional shops, coffee houses, eateries, pharmacies, and even a traditional medicine store that appeared more like a relic from a Frankenstein movie. The street itself was vibrant, adorned with signs in Hangeul, similar to how glowing dominos stack. The air was filled with enticing aromas of dumplings, spicy rice cakes, charcoal, and grilled meat as they entered the establishment.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- [MORNING CALM TALES] Descending into Korea's first PC bangs koreatimes.co.kr
