Singing the Night (or Day) Away at Taichung’s KTVs

From our archives, Compass Magazine, Dec. 2001:

By Annie Liou, Karl Smith, Rachel Chiou and Sharon Yang
Translated by Cheryl Robbins and Rachel Chiou
Photos by Annie Liou

KTV, more commonly-known as karaoke, is a huge hit in Taiwan, as singing in front of friends, family and, sometimes, complete strangers seems to be quite addicting. Perhaps the attraction of all this is the opportunity to escape from the rat race and vicariously enjoy the life of a singing superstar. To help both karaoke novices and hardened addicts navigate the many-faceted world of Taichung’s KTV scene, COMPASS has provided the following thumbnail guide.

Hsiao Yuan Yuan Music and Coffee House (1F, 445, Chung Ming Road; tel: 04-2205-3768) preserves an open karaoke style popular in the past. Although Hsiao Yuan Yuan has only been open about three months, the owner treats everyone who walks in the door like an old friend. Instead of the private rooms common to newer KTVs, there is one large space with a dance floor. Customers take turns singing and have the chance to meet new people in a friendly atmosphere. In addition, Hsiao Yuan Yuan spared no expense in purchasing its state-of-the-art computer-controlled sound and lighting system, which is a real attraction for its younger clientele. Another plus is its large selection of Taiwanese, Mandarin, English and Japanese songs. Hsiao Yuan Yuan opens at 8 a.m. and serves an all-you-can-eat Chinese and Western breakfast buffet for NT$100. The all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is NT$200.

At the entrance to Smilfamily KTV (179-1, Wen Hsin Road, sec. 3; tel. 04-2311-3112) is a large Indian-head sculpture that makes it hard to miss. This complex is divided into three sections of private rooms, all decorated in different themes including the South Pacific, Japan and China. Costs are calculated on a per room basis and range from NT$400 to NT$850, according to size. Some of the rooms are equipped with a revolving neon light to add a “disco” effect. Smilfamily has a full-meal menu (with some choices available only after 6 p.m.) including stir-fried dishes (NT$100 to NT$300) and stewed dishes (NT$80 to NT$250), as well as rice and noodle selections. This is a good place to hold an impromptu birthday party, as a birthday cake can be sent to your room about half an hour after being ordered. Smilfamily likes to give its customers as much privacy as possible, so its servers will only enter a room if summoned (by pressing a button located inside the room). Most of Smilfamily’s customers come with their co-workers after work, to celebrate a birthday or to spend time with family. Peak time is around 8 p.m. and it is most crowded on weekends and holidays. During those times, reservations are recommended.

Melody (131, Taichung Kang Road, sec. 2; tel. 04-2259-5511) is Silver Box’s Taichung flagship KTV and features a garden-like setting that includes arched bridges and fishponds. The private rooms feature North American and European designs. The use of each room costs from NT$290 to NT$790 according to size. The food menu includes stir-fried dishes (NT$80 to NT$380) and a large selection of rice and noodle dishes (NT$100 to NT$150). A popular dish is the two-person hot pot (NT$180). Most of the food items are available after 4 p.m. On weeknights, it is most crowded around 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays.

One of the most successful KTV chains in Taichung is the Holiday chain. Holiday’s facilities are modern and prices are reasonable. Holiday constantly updates its song selection, so that the newest releases are available. To add to the fun, play with the synthesizer to create vocal variations. Although Holiday allows customers to bring in outside food, there is an ample menu that includes black pepper steak (NT$160) made from U.S. Prime ribeye, and chicken drumstick with rice (NT$160). Dessert and snack selections average NT$66 and include mango mousse and seafood egg rolls.

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Cashbox KTV (111, Tzu You Road, sec. 2; tel: 04-2223-6666) has only one branch in Taichung. Due to its close proximity to the train station and a number of schools, this is a KTV that attracts a younger crowd. The lobby is done up in dark wood and marble, with a grand piano adding to the air of sophistication. This is a place where you can feel safe and secure, as Cashbox has invested in high quality safety equipment and emergency training for its staff. Costs include a minimum cover of NT$70 to NT$100 plus room fee and service charge. Prices vary depending on the time of day. The food menu includes pork chop with rice (NT$129) and other set meals that come with soup and a beverage. There is also a cake and beverage special for NT$99.

Among the many KTVs, there are variations in hours and prices and some have several branches within the city. To keep everything straight, we have provided a list for quick reference.

Hsiao Yuan Yuan Music and Coffee House
1F, 445, Chung Ming Rd.
Tel: 04-2205-3768; Hours: 8 am-6:40 pm
Prices: Morning NT$100; Afternoon NT$200

Smilfamily KTV
179-1, Wen Hsin Rd., sec. 3
Tel: 04-2311-3112
Hours: 1 pm-8 am
Prices: NT$400 to NT$800 per room (weekends and holidays add NT$100). Individual cover charge and food and beverage costs are extra. There is a 10% service charge.

Branches:

• 220, Wen Hsin South Rd. ; Tel: 04-2471-5381
• 388, Ta Tun 10th St.; Tel: 04-2251-8899

Silver Box KTV Melody KTV
131, Taichung Kang Rd., sec. 2
Tel: 04-2259-5511
Hours: 12:30 pm-7 am (Mon.-Fri.); 24 hours (Sat.-Sun.)
Prices: NT$290 to NT$790 per room. Individual cover charge and food and beverage costs are extra.

Branches:

• 143-2, Taichung Kang Rd., sec. 2; Tel: 04-2259-2957
• Wan Ko Lai KTV 426, Pei Tun Rd.; Tel: 04-2241-2568
• 11F, “A” Building, First Square Shopping Plaza; Tel: 04-2225-0917
• 3F, 273-5, Hsi Tun Rd., sec. 2 ; Tel: 04-2255-1400

Holiday KTV
Hours and prices vary. Call the branch nearest you for more information.
Branches:
* 272, Mei Tsun Rd., sec. 1; Tel: 04-2305-4588
* 44, Kuang Fu Rd.; Tel: 04-2225-2500
* 821, Wen Hsin Rd., sec. 4; Tel: 04-2243-8090
* 242, Ching Hai Rd., sec. 2; Tel: 04-2259-9088
* 136, San Min Rd., sec. 3; Tel: 04-2226-2008
* 1637, Chien Cheng Rd.; Tel: 04-2285-9758

Cashbox KTV
111, Tzu You Rd., sec. 2
Tel: 04-2223-6666 Hours: Open 24 hours
Prices: NT$290 to NT$790. Individual cover charge and food and beverage costs are extra. There is also a service charge.

Making the Most of Your KTV Experience

1. Stealing the Microphone: This usually happens spontaneously and is preceded by a shrill scream when there is a song that more than one person wants to sing. Try letting each person sing one line.
2. “Ka Ke”: In Taiwanese, “ka” refers to a drag race. But, in a KTV it means adjusting the musical key higher after each verse of a song. If you are not very good at hitting the high notes, don’t try this.
3. Air Band Contest: Someone in your group is bound to get so involved in a song that they close their eyes and imitate the singing style of the performer. Follow their cue and back them up on air guitar!
4. Creative Rap Contest: Most people know the chorus of popular songs, but what do you do when you don’t know the rest of the words? Make them up. For a slow song, you can just talk at normal speed, but for a fast song, try rapping! Mix in several languages like Mandarin, Taiwanese and English for some truly unique lyrics.
5. Dance Fever: Dancing is one of the best ways to work off the pressures of everyday life. Choose a series of fast songs and crank up the volume. No one is allowed to sit as you turn your room into a private disco! There is no doubt that KTV is a part of Taiwanese culture. It is something that must be experienced to be understood. Try out some of the above suggestions and you’ll find out why so many people are addicted to KTV!

A Foreigner’s Perspective on KTV

I remember my first trip to a KTV in Taichung. Having arrived in Taiwan just two weeks earlier, I was happy and grateful to be invited by my neighbor to what was surely going to be an interesting cultural experience. As it turned out, going to a KTV in Taiwan is like eating stinky tofu, or listening to Chinese opera–an activity that is on the far end of the cultural spectrum for a westerner adapting to life in Taiwan. But, wait a minute, aren’t there also karaoke bars in America, where drunken patrons get up and murder both contemporary songs and classics? What is the difference? The distinction lies in the approach of the participants. In Taiwan, no matter how badly you sing, everyone will politely clap when you are finished. In the US, I have had cutlery and furniture thrown at me for my singing. So, now, after listening to one of my co-workers screeching off-key about how she is so pitiful because her lover has gone away, I just smile, clap enthusiastically and reach for my plastic cup of iced Taiwan beer. Nevertheless, the lack of irony is made up for by an abundance of fruit and, even now, I can’t hear the song “My Way” without thinking about a plate of watermelon. The choice of English songs varies among the different KTVs. If you are at a KTV with Taiwanese friends, you will likely be expected to sing at least one song, depending on the selection. This can be something of a problem if the people you are with sign you up for a song you do not know, so you may want to bone up on the tunes and lyrics to Neil Sedaka’s “Oh Carol” and “Teenager in Love” by Dion and The Belmonts. If you get to choose your own song, I recommend “New York, New York”, by Frank Sinatra. Some of the song selections are quite bizarre–“Aqualung”, by Jethro Tull, and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” might require many infusions from the little plastic cup before attempts are made. (by Karl Smith)