After-work gatherings in South Korea used to follow a pattern and generally involved karaoke. But it is slowly becoming more acceptable for employees to say no to group activities
gatherings in South Korea used to follow a pattern. After a boozy dinner and several rounds of beer and, a local spirit, the party would decamp to a dingy basement and squeeze onto faded upholstery in an airless room with a karaoke machine. There, employees would be pressed into accompanying the boss on the tambourine as he howled his favourite ballads and forced to offer their own renditions, before being allowed to stumble home in the early hours.
Karaoke is not dying. South Koreans are relieved that their careers no longer hinge on jangling a tambourine for their tone-deaf bosses. But many still like to use their newly won spare time for singing. Places aimed at groups are shutting down, but “coin” for individuals and couples are becoming popular with teenagers, students in their 20s and older single professionals. Unlike old-school karaoke parlours, they tend to be above ground, well lit and colourfully decorated.
The move towards belting out tunes on one’s lonesome does not seem to have affected musical preferences. Apart from current hits, thecharts are dominated by old-school ballads and cheesy Western pop staples. Even as Seoul’s basements are refitted for other purposes, South Koreans and their guests will continue to come up with off-key renditions of Queen."Dropping the mic"
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