노래방 vocabulary
Textbook노래를 부르고 싶습니다no-rae-reul bu-reu-go sip-seup-ni-daI would like to sing a song
Real다음 나야! 번호 넣어줘!da-eum na-ya! beon-ho neoh-eo-jwo!I'm next! Put in my song number!🏷️ Daily conversation
노래방 is organized chaos. Everyone fights for the mic, punches in song numbers, and shakes tambourines for support. There are no turns — you grab the mic when you can. Politeness goes out the window.
노래방 culture guide
18번 곡이 뭐야?What's your go-to song?
이 노래 같이 부르자!Let's sing this one together!
탬버린 쳐줘!Play the tambourine for me!
점수 100점 나왔어!I got 100 points!
시간 연장할까?Should we extend the time?
나 음치인데...I'm tone-deaf though... (humble brag or real warning)
18번 (number 18) means your signature karaoke song — the one you always sing and nail. Everyone has one. When someone asks 18번이 뭐야?, they're asking for your go-to. This comes from old jukebox culture where you'd press a number.
노래방 song recommendations for impressing Koreans: any song by 아이유 (IU), 이문세 (Lee Moon-sae '옛사랑'), BTS, 빅뱅 (BIGBANG). For maximum respect from Korean men: sing a 군가 (military song) or old trot song. For instant bonding: any EXO or TWICE hit. The song choice is a personality statement.
Quick Quiz