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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. (2008) Site specific mobility and connection in Korea: bangs (rooms) between public and private spaces . Technology in Society.

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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.

Item Type:Journal Article
Status:In Press
Keywords:mobile technology; ubiquitous computing; urban informatics; Korea; bangs; screens
Subjects:400000 Journalism, Librarianship and Curatorial Studies > 400100 Journalism, Communication and Media > 400104 Communication and Media Studies
420000 Language and Culture > 420300 Cultural Studies
370000 Studies in Human Society > 379900 Other Studies in Human Society > 379999 Studies in Human Society not elsewhere classified
370000 Studies in Human Society > 370100 Sociology > 370104 Urban Sociology and Community Studies
420000 Language and Culture > 420300 Cultural Studies > 420304 Screen and Media Culture
420000 Language and Culture > 420300 Cultural Studies > 420307 Consumption and Everyday Life
ID Code:13004
Deposited By:Foth, Marcus
Deposited On:13 March 2008
Alternative Locations:http://www.elsevier.com/locate/techsoc
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2008 Elsevier
Copyright Statement:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.