Symbol of Korean Esports Culture, 'PC Bang,' Appears in Osaka! Experiential Event 'K-GAMING BASE' to Be Held!

The Osaka Korean Cultural Center (Director Kim Hye-soo) will hold an experiential event "K-GAMING BASE: Korean PC Bang Experience Exhibition," reproducing the "PC Bang" (PC방), known as a unique Korean game culture, at the Mirinae Gallery in the center from Friday, May 22 to Saturday, May 30 (closed on the 25th).

This event was planned to commemorate the esports competition to be held at the 2026 Nagoya Aichi Asian Games. It is co-hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency Osaka Business Center and supported by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Osaka Branch.

Korea's PC bang (bang means room in Korean) has developed into a complex entertainment space where friends enjoy online games on high-performance PCs while also ordering food and drinks. It is known as a place that has supported the spread and growth of Korean esports, representing youth culture.

The venue will feature 20 high-performance gaming PCs, recreating a space just like a real Korean PC bang. Visitors can experience popular Korean games such as "PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS," "MapleStory," and "Dungeon&Fighter," as well as about 10 new titles scheduled to be exhibited at "BitSummit 2026," Japan's largest indie game event held in Kyoto. Each person's experience time is scheduled for approximately one hour.

During the event, developers related to the BitSummit exhibiting games will also visit, holding trial events and talk programs introducing the background of development.

Furthermore, the "food culture" unique to Korean PC bangs will be introduced. Visitors can use the ordering system from the PC at their seat to order light meals such as ramyeon, tteokbokki, hot dogs, and gyoza, and also experience "Olbaksu" (energy drink + cider), a popular drink at Korean PC bangs.

Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Osaka Branch will also hold a K-food exhibition themed on PC bang food culture and "Mukbang" (eating broadcast culture). It will also introduce the background of how PC bangs have become a cultural space beloved by many people, not just game fans.

As a related project, a "Korea-Japan Esports Exchange Match" will be held at Namba Parks e-Stadium on Saturday, May 30. Former VALORANT professional players and active coaches from Korea will participate, and students from Osaka Anime, Voice Acting & Esports Professional Training College aiming for professional debut from Japan will compete. A 5-on-5 special match by mixed teams is planned.

Popular casters Yukishiro and Yue will be in charge of commentary, and live streaming on YouTube is also planned.

The Osaka Korean Cultural Center stated, "We hope this will be an opportunity to deepen understanding of the charm of Korean game culture and PC bangs, and we will continue to expand Korea-Japan exchange through esports."

K-GAMING BASE: Korean PC Bang Experience Exhibition Outline

・Period: Friday, May 22 – Saturday, May 30, 2026 *Closed on May 25

・Venue: Mirinae Gallery, Osaka Korean Cultural Center (1-1-15 Higashitemma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0044)

・Admission/Experience: Free

・How to participate

-No reservation required for exhibition viewing only

-Game experience and food experience available for same-day registration (advance reservations prioritized)

-May 30, esports exchange match viewing requires advance application

-Details: Announced on Osaka Korean Cultural Center official website and SNS

https://www.k-culture.jp/info_news_view.php?number=3352