Coin Karaoke, You are the pop star in there.

Whether you are k-pop fan or not, this might be a must visit place in korea if you are a fan of listening or singing a song.

K-Drama fans and Karaoke fans are very familiar with this. They have watched or experienced themselves belting out ballads or rock n roll in a private room with decent speakers in it.

That is Noraebang(노래방) in korea meaning Karaoke, the “singing rooms.”

Are you’re traveling solo? Or you just want to sing for 15 minutes without booking a giant, expensive room?

Then this is the right spot, Enter the Coin karaoke also known as coin Noraebang.

This is your ultimate guide to mastering one of Korea’s most fun and cheapest activities. It’s not just about singing; it’s about experiencing modern Korean culture firsthand.

We’ve written this troubleshooter guide to help tourists with the most common inconvenience: finding the right song number in the coin karaoke. So Don’t be afraid!

What is a Coin karaoke (And How is it Different)?

A “Noraebang” is simply a karaoke room. But Korea has two main types:

1. Standard karaoke: These are larger, “party” style rooms rented by the hour. You pay a high flat fee (₩20,000-₩30,000) whether you’re 2 people or 10. They are great for groups.
2. Coin karaoke: These are small, closet-sized (or slightly larger) booths designed for 1-3 people. You don’t have to pay by the hour; you can pay per song.

For travelers, especially solo travelers, the Coin Noraebang is a game-changer.

It’s cheap, fast, and available almost everywhere.

💰 Why You MUST Try a Coin Karaoke

• It’s Incredibly Cheap: We’re talking ₩1,000 (less than $1 USD) for 2 songs usually.
• The Perfect Solo Activity: Feel like singing your heart out at 2 PM on a Tuesday? No judgement. It’s a perfect way to kill 30 minutes. Locals also do the same way.
• Stress Relief: There is something magical about shutting the door and screaming your favorite song. It’s a national pastime for stress relief.
• Vast Song Library: Don’t worry, it’s not only K-Pop. You’ll find a massive selection of J-Pop, American/UK pop, and other international hits ranging from hiphop, ballads, rock and roll, to R&B and you name it. You might be surprised to find your favorite songs from your home country!
• The “Real” Korea: This is what local students and young people actually do for fun.

Cultural Deep Dive: The Korean coin karaoke Mindset

For many Koreans, the Noraebang is a dedicated place to release the stress accumulated from work, school, or societal pressures. When you close that door, the outside world truly disappears.

The best part? No one cares if you’re good or bad. The goal isn’t performance; it’s catharsis. Feel free to belt out ballads or scream rock anthems. The soundproofing is usually excellent, meaning you can fully let go. Embrace the chaos, choose your favorite track, and use this moment to feel like a true Korean local.

How to Use a Coin Karaoke: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is the “experience” part that scares most foreigners. Don’t worry. It’s simple.

Here is your 5-step process from street to singing.

Step 1: Find a “코인 노래방”(Coin Karaoke)

You will see them everywhere, especially in university areas like Hongdae, Sinchon, or near any subway station.

• Look for signs that say “Coin”.
• They are often in basements (B1) or on the 2nd or 3rd floors of buildings.
• Popular chains include “TJ Coin,” “Superstar,” or “Luxury Coin Noraebang.”

Step 2: Choose Your Room and Pay

Walk in. You’ll see a corridor of small rooms with glass windows.

• Find an empty room. If the light inside is on and nobody is inside, it means that room is not taken.
• Check the payment system. There are two types:
  1. Payment Inside the Room: You just enter the room, and there’s a machine on the wall to insert cash. These type room usually accepts cash only.
  2. Payment at a Central Kiosk: (Newer) You select a room number on a central machine and pay first. You can pay by your credit card.
• Types of Usage : Some coin karaokes offer you two usage types. You can enjoy it by the number of songs or you can enjoy it by 10, 30 minutes or even 1 hour. You can freely choose the usage type.
• You can easily add more songs, even after you’ve started singing. So, don’t think too much about how many songs you’ll sing. If you want to sing more, just pay again for more songs!
• If you know that you will be a heavy singer, look for bulk deals. While ‘₩1,000 for two songs’ is standard, you can often get a much better rate like ‘₩5,000 for 12 songs’. This is the most cost-effective way to sing your heart out!

Pro-Tip: Always have ₩1,000 and ₩5,000 bills ready. While some new machines take cards, cash is king at most coin karaokes.

Step 3: Get Your Gear (Hygiene is Key!)

Inside the small booth, you’ll see two microphones. Before you do anything else, look for a small dispenser.

Important Note: Grab the small, disposable “mic covers” (like tiny shower caps). Put a fresh one on your microphone. This is standard etiquette and good hygiene!

Step 4: The Machine & The Remote (The “Final Boss”)

This is the main event. You’ll see a large screen and a complex-looking remote control (or a wall-mounted touch screen).

Don’t panic. You only need a few buttons.

1. Pay Up: Insert your ₩1,000 bill into the machine. The screen will light up, showing “2곡” (2 songs) or “3곡” (3 songs). If you already paid at the kiosk, jump on to number 2.
2. Find Your Song: This is the most important part and where you need Tripplankorea.com the most.
   • Look on the remote for buttons labeled “팝송” (Pop Song – for English) or “가수” (Artist).
   • The “TJ” and “KY” (Keumyoung) machines are the two main brands.
   • The Easiest Way: Just type the artist’s name. For example, to find Taylor Swift, you can try typing “T-A-Y…”
   • The “Book” Method: Every room has a giant songbook. Flip to the back section for English, Japanese, and Chinese songs. Find the 5 or 6-digit number next to your song.
   • Special Tips for you
     • Download “TJ Smart song List : official” App if you are at TJ system based coin karaoke
       • For Android
       • For iphone
     • If you are at KY system based coin karaoke, search google by typing “song title Keumyoung karaoke” or visit KY’s offical site.
3. Enter the Number: Type the 5 or 6-digit song number into the remote and press “시작” (Start) or “예약” (Reserve).

Step 5: Sing Your Heart Out!

The music will start! Here’s what to watch out for:

• The Score: At the end, you’ll get a “score.” It’s totally random and just for fun. Don’t worry if you get a 60.
• The Timer: The screen shows how many songs you have left (“남은 곡”).
• Cancel a Song: If you pick a bad one, press “취소” (Cancel).
  • Be cautious, after the instrumental started playing, it is not refundable

Step 6: The Final Check (Don’t Forget your bringing)

The coin booths are small, and it’s surprisingly easy to forget a phone, wallet, or bag on the small shelf or seat while rushing out. Always do a quick, thorough sweep of the room before you leave coin karaoke! It is really easy to forget your bringing after a self concert at coin karaoke.

My Top 3 Pro-Tips for karaoke Newbies

1. Don’t Be Shy (Go Solo!): Seriously. No one is listening. The rooms are surprisingly soundproof. It’s the most liberating experience.
2. “Service” (서비스): If you’re at a standard noraebang, they often give “service” (free additional time). At a coin noraebang, this is rare, but sometimes if you get a 100 on your score, the machine might give you one free song!
3. What to Drink: Most coin karaokes have vending machines for water and soda (like Milkis). Grab one before you go in.

You are now ready. Go find that glowing “코인” sign, warm up your vocals, and have the best $1 experience in all of Korea.

If you are a k pop fan, also check out our articles about k-pop themed tourists.