Nori Bang

A week and a half ago, Rie and I ate dinner with a Korean friend. He works every-other 24-hour shift in the little guard house in front of our apartment building. He is responsible for the door to our half of the building and half of the neighboring building. He is always there to help us sort our trash. He lived in Vietnam for a number of years and has many foreign friends. We usually have a quick conversation when we leave the building or come home.

Last week, he invited us out to dinner. We had some good table-barbecued pork and lots of side dishes. After dinner, he took us to his favorite Nori-Bang. A nori-bang is a kind of hostess bar/karaoke room.

We sat at a table in the middle of the bar. Along the walls were 15 numbered sections. Each had a bar with four stools, a fridge, a sink, and a pretty woman. Our friend favored number 12. I think he visits her about three times a month.

Number 12 was cute and brought us some good snacks - celery, strawberries, chocolates, nuts, and plenty of beer, which she poured. If she had spoken English, I am sure she would have laughed at my jokes. The different hostess moved around to other groups and brought them food and drinks and chatted with them.

Eventually, it was our turn for the karaoke machine in the corner. But, this was a special place. In addition to the song that played on the big TVs, a man also accompanied the singer on a keyboard. Rie sang a Japanese song and our friend sang a bit as well. A drunk Korean man tried to join our party on the dance floor, but the hostesses took turns distracting him away from us.

After an hour or so, our friend suggested we head home. I guess he wanted some quiet time with number 12.