Korea’s ‘PC bang’ comes to RP

By Alexander Villafania - INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines -- A Korean businessman has put up the country’s first true “PC bang” a stylized Internet and online gaming café made popular in South Korea.

iHooked, built by Sabiclub Corporation, is located on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City fronting Ateneo de Manila University. It is also right in the middle of an area popular for its Internet gaming shops.

The new shop has over 60 high-end computers, a wireless Internet lounge and a sitting room for non-PC using customers who can order food and drinks at the bar. The entire place has been designed to look like a living room area of a house than an Internet café.

“The idea behind iHooked is to give comfort to everyone; video game players, their friends and family members and for anyone who just wants to rest for a while,” according to Sabiclub President and CEO Dong Hun Lee.

Dong Hun said the concept of iHooked came from his previous venture into the Internet café business called Station 168, which was primarily aimed at foreigners.

“I took the idea of Station 168 and made it into iHooked but this one is for a bigger market, composed of the general Filipino gamers and Internet café users. It’s supposed to be a comfortable place to be in for gamers, Internet surfers and students who want to study while waiting,” Dong Hun said.

He also added that they initially charge 36 pesos per hour for Internet access or gaming, though the pricing could be different depending on the location of the iHooked café branch.

“We’re planning to put up 20 more branches. The next one will be in De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila. The other locations will be up for review,” Dong Hun said.

Likewise, Dong Hun said they would be conducting tournaments for the different online games that are available in the market. The competitions are expected to draw more crowds of players to their Internet café