![The interior of “Bbopgi Bang” in South Korea [Source: http://dkbnews.donga.com/]](http://www.jstudentboard.com/reporter/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/3-13-bbopgi.jpg)
[Source: http://dkbnews.donga.com/]
“Bbopki Bang” is a popular type of gaming center where patrons can play a large variety of claw machine games. The typical cost for one attempt usually ranges from one to two thousand won. (an equivalent of one to two US dollars.) In these gaming areas, there are generally around 20 to 30 different claw machines and one or two coin-exchange machines installed, and there is no staff member. There is a wide range of prizes, from dolls of popular fictional characters to accessories, which makes these gaming centers particularly popular among teenagers.
Sang Woo Kim, a high school student who often visits these “Bbopgi Bangs” with his girlfriend, explained that, “It is fun to see various kinds of character dolls. It is also very exciting that I am able to get expensive dolls by only using a small amount of money when I am lucky. I am currently collecting Pokémon dolls with my girlfriend.”
A “Bbopgi Bang” is a good place for teens and 20-somethings to hang out with their friends and win toys and dolls, and this is the main reason for the “Bbopgi Bang” craze. Moreover, due to the inexpensive nature of these arcade games, the “bbopgi bang” business seems to be rapidly increasing in popularity, especially among younger teenagers who do not have a source of income.
There is a thing that customers, especially young ones, should consider when visiting a “Bbopgi Bang.” Because it is so inexpensive, teenagers easily become addicted and often end up playing multiple rounds. Therefore, customers should always keep this in mind and try to find an appropriate time to stop. In fact, the coin-exchange machines in these arcade areas are set to change all the inserted money into coins, making it easier for customers to spend all of them. Also, the power of a claw in claw machines is set to be inconsistent so that customers should try at least a certain time to win a doll. All of the above encourages customers to spend lots of money, and thus it is important for them to wisely play the games only for fun.
