KTV big room

KTV (“karaoke television”) is a club allowing people to sing their favorite songs with the use of special machines for choosing tracks and projecting video clip and lyrics to a big screen. KTV can be a business on its own specifically designed for karaoke activity. Or it can be a part of other venues like bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and so on.

Even though karaoke is known all over the world – only in Asia it has become extremely popular.

Why? Maybe because some Asian languages (including Chinese) have tonal structure helping its carriers to develop a good musical sense from childhood. Or maybe because most of the time being self-restrained Chinese need some way to vent out their emotions and singing provides an excellent opportunity to release the “steam”.

You can rent a smaller KTV room

I don’t know, but sooner or later every foreigner living in China gets acquainted with this phenomenon, and I’d like to give you a rough idea of what to expect from the visit to KTV.

First of all, besides singing KTVs may offer a wide range of other amenities: drinking, eating, dancing, playing games. This is an ideal place for people to meet with friends, colleagues or clients.

KTV clubs usually have a big public hall where visitors can sing in turn sharing karaoke facilities with other guests. During big holidays these halls are crowded and people enjoy the festive mood together. But for other occasions visitors prefer to order the private rooms and spend evening in company of close friends only. Social labels and images are left outside, everybody is equal and everyone might become star of the evening. Even people with dubious vocal abilities can relax and rock the scene in front of the audience of good friends! :-)

And of course you can go to KTV with your girlfriend, occupy a small private room just for two and sing sweet Chinese love songs to her amusement.

As you might remember from my previous article about drinking habits, Chinese are not strangers to alcohol. KTV is for fun and some dosage of whiskey, beer or wine can help to create the needed atmosphere. Girls would prefer some simple cocktails: wine with cola (strange mixture, huh?), vodka with grape juice, chivas with black tea or green tea or soda.

And then hours of songs, dances, games and more songs…

There is a big choice of available music: English and Chinese, modern and traditional, disco and slow. Everyone will find something dear to his/her heart. And even those who are not musically gifted usually have at least one song in their repertoire which they can sing really well.

By the way, even if you don’t know Chinese – you can find on internet many Chinese songs with subs in Pinyin (phonetic romanization of Chinese language) and after some training wow an audience. Or sing a romantic song to Chinese girl – you can add this item to the list of tips on conquering Chinese girl’s heart ;-)

Simply Crystal Tao