Talked Into My First Korean Singing Room in Seoul

English transcript

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Minji, I have been in Seoul for four days and I already know you can talk me into anything.

That is not true. I only talk you into things that are fun and slightly dangerous.

Last night you called me with a very serious voice and said you had a problem.

And it was a real problem. My cousin from Busan wanted to go to a Norabong.

I did not know that word, so I asked you to say it slowly like a baby.

Nooray bong.

Singing room.

Private room, big screen, many songs, and a machine.

In my country, karaoke happens in a loud bar with strangers watching you thing.

Here, it happens in a small room with your friends and a machine that gives points.

A machine that gives points sounds dangerous for my confidence and my ego.

The machine is very kind, and it loves everyone equally, even bad singers.

I do not believe you, but I was curious, so I said yes like a fool.

You said yes because you are brave. I told you to wear comfortable shoes.

You also said we would probably dance, and I told you I do not dance at all.

I remember. You said you move your arms a little, like a confused bird.

That is exactly right. A confused bird with no rhythm and no shame.

Perfect! That was exactly the energy we needed for room number 9.

Why room number 9? What is so special about that number?

9 is my lucky number, so I knew the night would be great.

And what happens if your lucky number is wrong and the night is terrible?

Then we sing badly and blame the room. That is also a tradition here.

The room was small but comfortable, with a long sofa and a big screen.

And a low table with two microphones and a thick book full of song numbers.

That book was enormous. I did not know how to find anything in it.

You do not find a song. You find a number and the machine does the rest.

That sounds simple, but I'm sure I made it complicated anyway.

You did, but first we ordered food because Noribong food is part of it.

I could not believe there was food in the singing room. This country is amazing.

Of course there's food. We had fried chicken, rice cakes, and cold drinks.

I tried one rice cake and immediately drank half of my water.

That is normal. The fire is part of the flavor, and you'll get used to it.

I have been here four days, and I have said that sentence every single day.

That means you are learning. Now, who sings first? The guest sings first.

That is a terrible rule. Who made this rule? I want to speak to them.

The rule is very old and very powerful. You cannot argue with it.

Fine, but I needed help choosing a song, something slow and easy.

Slow songs are boring. Choose something fast and nobody will notice your voice.

That was strange logic, but I trusted you because you were from Seoul.

I am from Seoul and Soo Jin is from Busan, so you had two experts.

I found an old pop song from high school about summer and lost love.

I remember, you typed the number and the screen changed to a bright video.

I told you both not to laugh until the second verse and you laughed immediately.

We laughed because you were cute, not because you were bad.

My voice was quiet at first, but then I relaxed and moved my arms a little.

Soojin clapped loudly and when the song ended the machine showed a score I asked what the number meant and you said it was 82 82 is a very good score for a first try You should be proud I asked if it was out

of 100 or 1000 because I needed to know. Out of 100. Soojin said you were officially a

singer now. I felt powerful, and I wanted to sing another song immediately. See? The machine

had already caught you. That is how it works. Then Su Jin sang a sad ballad, and her voice was

beautiful. She sings like an angel. I told you that before we went inside. I forgot about the

chicken war she sang. I just listened with my mouth open. That is the highest compliment in a

nori bong. The chicken is usually king. Then it was your turn, and you chose a song from the 90s.

And I told you both to dance because the machine demanded it.

I told you I do not dance, but you said the machine was watching me.

Do not say bad things about the machine. It has feelings and it remembers.

The machine is just a computer with a microphone, Minji. Be serious.

I am serious. The machine remembers everything, especially the bad singers.

We sang for two hours and I learned something about that machine.

What did you learn? Tell me, because I already know the answer.

It gives points for enthusiasm, not for talent, and that is very wise.

Exactly. You finally understand the secret of the nore bong.

At some point, I looked at my phone and was surprised by the time.

It was almost 10 o'clock, and you thought we had come for one hour.

Nore bong time is different from normal time, and you explained it to me.

One hour here is like three hours outside. That is a scientific fact.

That is not scientifically possible, but I believed you anyway.

Soojin said the room has no clock, so the time does not exist inside.

That was the most dangerous sentence I had heard all week.

I told you not to worry, because we would leave before midnight. Probably.

Probably? Minji, I had a Korean class the next morning at nine.

Then you would learn Korean with a happy heart and a tired voice.

I learned nothing.

I slept on my desk and dreamed about rice cakes.

That is still learning.

A different kind of learning, but learning.

You're both terrible influences, and I like you very much.

We sang three more songs, and you chose a fast one and danced badly.

The machine gave me 90 points for effort, and I could not stop laughing.

90 is higher than your first song, and you sang worse. Explain that.

The machine rewards joy. You had more joy in the second song.

So the machine is a philosopher. It gives points for happiness, not skill.

That is the secret of the norebang. It is not about singing at all.

It is about feeling good. You said that yourself, and you were right.

I felt very good. I also felt very full of chicken and very tired.

Then we decided to go, but first we sang one last song together.

A group song where we all sang different words at the same time.

That is the best part. Nobody knows the words and everybody sings anyway.

I did not know the words, so I hummed and clapped like a happy seal.

When the song ended, the machine showed a score of 95.

You raised your arms like a champion and said we were the best in soul.

We were the only singers in that room, but I accepted the title anyway.

Then we turned off the machine and put on our jackets in the quiet hallway.

Soo Jin told you you were great for a first-timer with a brave heart.

I said I had a brave heart and a very confused mouth, which was honest.

You promised to teach me a real Korean song the next time.

I said I was still recovering from this time and you laughed at me There is always a next time That how friendship works here We walked outside into the cool night air and the street was still busy The

shops were still open, and you took a deep breath and smiled. I asked why you call it a singing room,

and not a karaoke room. Because it is a room where you sing. The name is honest and simple.

In my country, karaoke usually involves a stranger singing badly next to you.

Here, the strangers stay outside. Inside, it is only your people.

I liked that. A small room with your people and a kind machine.

The machine is not kind. It is just generous with points.

Tonight, that is the same thing, and I will not argue with you.

We walked to the subway station, and Soo Jin hugged you goodbye.

She promised to visit again, and I believed her, because she is from Busan.

Then I walked you to your apartment building and stopped at the door.

You asked me what I learned tonight, like a teacher with a test.

And you said, time disappears in a norebang, and chicken tastes better with music.

Then I said, I am not a good singer, but I am a happy one.

That is the most important lesson. Now go to sleep, because of class.

Do not remind me. I will be the student who falls asleep and dreams.

Then dream about the easy words. Good night, Anna.

Good night, Minji. Thank you for the singing room and the fire rice cakes.

Wait, Anna. Before you go inside, I have one more question for you.

Another question? It is almost midnight and my voice is completely gone.

Tomorrow, my other friend wants to show you a night market. Are you free?

A night market? With more food and more noise and more walking?

Yes, and maybe a small stage where people sing in public.

Public singing? After last night, I've had enough singing for one week.

You say that now, but the market has a machine that makes fresh juice.

A juice machine is not the same as a singing machine.

I can handle juice.

Then it is decided.

Tomorrow night, we go to the market together.

Okay, but tomorrow I'm bringing a clock.

I do not trust this city with time.

You can bring a clock, but the market will ignore it completely.

Then I will bring my clock and my patients and maybe an extra stomach.

Now you are thinking like a local.

See you tomorrow, Anna.

See you tomorrow, Minji, and thank you for tonight.

Even the fire rice cakes.

Good night, Anna.

Sleep well and do not dream about the machine.

I will dream about the machine anyway.

It gave me 90 points for dancing.

That machine is a philosopher, and you are its favorite student.

Good night, Minji.

I will see you at the market tomorrow night.

Good night, Anna.

Bring your clock, and I will bring my appetite.

Ready for the lesson?

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Hello!

Let's begin.

Please repeat this sentence.

Minji, I have been in Seoul for four days and I already know you can talk me into anything.

A useful phrase is, talk me into.

1. She can talk me into trying spicy food.

2. My brother talked me into buying a guitar.

3. My friend talked me into singing at the party.

4. He talked me into joining the singing room.

5. No one can talk me into staying up all night.

Minji, I have been in Seoul for four days, and I already know you can talk me into anything.

Minji I have been in Seoul for four days and I already know you can talk me into anything Good Now repeat this sentence It gives points for enthusiasm not for talent and that is very wise A useful word is enthusiasm One her enthusiasm made the

whole room cheerful. Two, he showed great enthusiasm for learning Korean. Three, the children clapped

with enthusiasm. Four, I admire your enthusiasm for new ideas. Five, their enthusiasm disappeared

after the long meeting. It gives points for enthusiasm, not for talent, and that is very wise.

It gives points for enthusiasm, not for talent, and that is very wise. Next, repeat this sentence.

Noribang time is different from normal time, and you explained it to me. A useful phrase is different

from. 1. My schedule is different from yours. 2. This tea is different from the one I drink at home.

3. Her voice sounds different from her sister's. 4. The weather today is different from yesterday.

5. His answer was different from what I expected. Noribong time is different from normal time,

and you explained it to me. Noribong time is different from normal time, and you explained

it to me. Last, repeat this sentence. Time disappears in a noribang and chicken tastes

better with music. A useful word is disappears. One, the sun disappears behind the clouds.

Two, the moon disappears at dawn. Three, the pain disappears after a warm bath. Four,

her smile disappears when she is worried. Five, the noise disappears when the door closes.

Time disappears in a noribong, and chicken tastes better with music.

Time disappears in a noribong, and chicken tastes better with music.

Now repeat this sentence.

We sang for two hours, and I learned something about that machine.

A useful phrase is learned something about.

One, I learned something about Korean food.

Two, she learned something about her new city.

Three, we learned something about the machine.

4. He learned something about friendship.

5. They learned something about the old house.

We sang for two hours, and I learned something about that machine.

We sang for two hours, and I learned something about that machine.

Finally, repeat this sentence.

Then I will bring my clock and my patience and maybe an extra stomach.

A useful word is patience.

1. Patience helps when you learn a language.

2. The teacher waited with patience.

3. I need patience for this long line.

4. Her patience never seems to end.

5. He lost his patience during the traffic.

Then I'll bring my clock and my patience and maybe an extra stomach.

Then I'll bring my clock and my patience and maybe an extra stomach.

Today, we practiced Talk Me Into, Enthusiasm, Different From, Disappears, Learned Something About, and Patience.

These help you talk about choices, strong feelings, comparisons, changes, lessons, and waiting.

You did well. See you next time.

Thank you. I will keep practicing these phrases. Goodbye.

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