Site specific mobility and connection in Korea : bangs (rooms) between public and private spaces

Choi, Jaz Hee-Jeong and Foth, Marcus and Hearn, Gregory N. (2009) Site specific mobility and connection in Korea : bangs (rooms) between public and private spaces. Technology in Society, 31(2). pp. 133-138.

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DOI : 10.1016/j.techsoc.2009.03.004

Abstract

Although social and cultural research on mobile communication is exploding, many studies tend to take a technical view on the mobile phone as a personal networking device that connects people 'anywhere anytime.' Little cultural research has examined the uptake of mobile applications that are anchored to specific sites, especially outside Euro-Americo localities. To address this, we analyse media experience in the lived spaces of the Korean 'bang' (room) culture. These rooms provide various social spaces such as DVD-, jjimjil- (sauna), norae (karaoke)-, and PC-bangs. We position mobile technology along a blurring border between work and leisure and conceptualise the use of mobile phones for the symbolic creation, demarcation, and integration of public and private spaces in a digitally connected urban environment. This analysis helps us gain an understanding of the socio-culturally specific rationales and desires behind technology design and adoption in the South Korean context.

ID Code:	13004
Item Type:	Journal Article
Additional URLs :	Publisher
Keywords :	mobile technology, ubiquitous computing, urban informatics, Korea, bangs, screens
ISSN:	0160-791X
Subjects:	Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (200100) > Communication and Media Studies not elsewhere classified (200199) Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > CULTURAL STUDIES (200200) Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY (160000) > OTHER STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY (169900) > Studies in Human Society not elsewhere classified (169999) Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY (160000) > SOCIOLOGY (160800) > Urban Sociology and Community Studies (160810) Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > CULTURAL STUDIES (200200) > Screen and Media Culture (200212) Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > CULTURAL STUDIES (200200) > Consumption and Everyday Life (200203)
Divisions:	QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Creative Industries Institutes > Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation
Copyright Owner :	Copyright 2009 Elsevier
Deposited On:	13 Mar 2008
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2009 01:49

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