Family apartments in Seoul are typically cramped, affording young Korean adults (who traditionally live with their parents until marriage) little opportunity to entertain their friends. What they need is a room away from home where they can hang out in privacy, watch DVDs, play video games and sing karaoke.

Hence the bangs, which can be found all over Seoul. Bang means “room,” and they are available to rent for an hour or two in all shapes and sizes, catering to all interests.

Noraebangs specialize in karaoke (and are often licensed to sell alcohol), while Manhwabangs offer vast libraries of comic books which clients can take off the shelves and read in comfort. Wiibangs provide the latest Wii games, DVDbangs enable you to watch Korean and Hollywood movies on giant TVs with surround sound, and Multibangs are a combination of all of the above.

The highest concentration of bangs tends to be close to the city’s universities or in areas popular with young people, especially Hongdae and Gangnam districts. Don’t be put off if you don’t fall within the target demographic. Tourists (even older ones) are welcome.