Korean Coin Karaoke: History, Popularity, and Best Places for Foreign Visitors

 1. What is Coin Karaoke? History and Origins

Coin karaoke in Korea is a pay-per-song singing booth, usually costing 500–1,000 KRW per song.

While regular karaoke rooms (noraebang) became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, coin karaoke emerged in the early 2010s as an affordable, convenient option.

The small one- or two-person booths allow people to practice singing or relieve stress without needing a group.




2. Why Coin Karaoke is Popular




Affordable Pricing: Pay only for the number of songs you want.

Solo-Friendly: Perfect for people who want to sing alone.

24/7 Access: Most operate unmanned and are open all day.

- Great for Social Media: Well-lit and soundproof, making them ideal for recording videos.




3. Korean TV Show ‘Welcome, First Time in Korea?’



This TV program follows foreigners visiting Korea for the first time and experiencing Korean culture.

The show has featured coin karaoke, jjimjilbangs, and street food, making these activities more appealing to global viewers.

Coin karaoke scenes often inspire foreign tourists to add it to their Korea must-do list.




4. How to Use Coin Karaoke




1. Insert coins or bills into the machine at the entrance or inside the booth.

2. Use the song search system to choose your song (K-pop, pop, Japanese, Chinese songs available).

3. Sing into the microphone while reading lyrics on the screen, and check your score afterward.

4. Insert more coins if you want to keep singing.




5. Best Coin Karaoke Spots for Foreign Visitors


Hongdae & Itaewon, Seoul: Tourist-friendly, with English menus available.

Seomyeon, Busan: Trendy area with quick updates on new songs.

Dongseong-ro, Daegu: Clean, affordable booths with a wide song selection.




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