When you first fall into the K-culture universe, you usually start with dramas, music, skincare, or maybe all three at once. But once you're in deep enough, something else starts popping up in the background of all your faves and that dear friends, is ‘gaming’.

I’m talking about those slick setups in K-dramas, where characters end a stressful day not with sleep or tears, but by logging into some games and fighting dragons in a neon-lit room while sipping on iced coffee. At first, it looks like a quirky side hobby. Then you realize it’s not a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.

Let me tell you everything you need to know about this gaming lifestyle.

The magic of PC bangs  

The PC bang (pronounced "b-ah-ng," not "bang" like fireworks). These places are legendary. Rows of high-performance computers, chairs that feel better than your bed, lightning-fast internet, and a menu that includes ramyeon, fried chicken, and snacks that arrive at your desk in minutes. Some people go there after school, others after work. Some just spend entire weekends there. And unlike most cafés back home where you get side-eyed for staying too long, PC bangs welcome you to stay as long as you want, in fact as long as you’re clicking.

It’s like your favorite gaming scene from a drama just came to life.

Gamers are stars too  

One thing I didn’t expect? The celebrity status of pro gamers. Seriously. In Korea, being good at a game doesn’t just get you bragging rights; it can make you famous. We’re talking sponsorships, fans, live events, and photo cards. Yes, like K-pop idols. Some E-sports (video game competition) pros are household names. There’s even a strong fan culture around competitive gaming. People attend matches, join fan clubs, and follow their favorite players’ careers the way we follow our favorite male leads in a love triangle.

E-sports is serious business  

Korea’s esports scene is intense. There are training camps, managers, analysts, as in an entire team with coordinated uniforms and strategy meetings. It’s like watching a drama where the workplace is a battlefield, but the weapons are headsets and lightning reflexes. It’s no wonder gaming is seen as a legit career path. With all the structure and support, pro players are more than just lucky teenagers. They’re athletes, just the digital kind.

Why gaming means so much in Korea  

Beyond the fame and flashing lights, gaming in Korea is also about community. It’s a way to hang out with friends, blow off steam, and escape the pressures of school, work, and society for a while. It’s also one of the few spaces where age, status, and background fade. In-game, everyone starts the same. You level up by skill, not social standing. That kind of freedom? It’s powerful.

So while we’re out here binge-watching dramas, many Koreans are logging in for their fifth-ranked match of the day and absolutely thriving.

Gaming isn’t a break from life in Korea. It’s a part of it. Have you ever tried gaming? Did you like it? Also, share with us in the comments your games.