There are more than 85,000 members of Naver Cafe who share information on room escape games, including a list of recommended room escape games across the country. Hyundai Glovis also has a dongeuli enjoying various room escape games. Let’s meet ‘P@ssw0rd’ to learn more about the fascination of room escape games, where people enjoy daily liberation, exercise their collective intelligence, and share their experiences.
There are many stimulating pleasures that fascinate modern people, and room escape games are one of the most positive activities that allow people to communicate, solve problems together, and have fun and a sense of accomplishment through realistic experiences. You can easily find room escape game cafes in your neighborhood, and the number of members in these cafes is a good indication of their popularity. We were happy to hear that the room escape game dongeuli has a new name: P@ssw0rd (password).
P@ssw0rd, which started in January of this year, has been growing rapidly, with 28 members as of the end of February, and has received a lot of interest from Glovis people. The dongeuli’s organizers are surprised and grateful for the interest.
“A room escape game is a game where you play as the protagonist of a set story in a specific room and complete the mission by solving various puzzles and passwords to escape within the time limit. It is difficult to play alone and requires at least 2-3 people. I started ‘P@ssw0rd’ because I wanted to create a place where room escape game players could meet and play together on a regular basis.”
We named the dongeuli “P@ssw0rd” in reference to the basic obstacles in a room escape game, where you have to crack the passwords of locks, doors, devices, etc. We could have simply named the dongeuli “Password,” but we chose “P@ssw0rd” because we wanted to show that the dongeuli is for people with a sense of humor.
The circle holds regular activities once every two months. The first meeting was held at an room escape game cafe near KU’s enrollment area with 11 members in attendance. The game theme is selected by dongeuli’s executives by researching blogs, YouTube, and applications related to room escape games and selecting popular themes, which are then voted on by dongeuli members.
Popular themes are as competitive as university applications or vacation train reservations, making them extremely difficult to reserve. Even if members vote for game themes, it’s hard to experience them if you don’t make a reservation, which only takes a few seconds. Fortunately, Dongeuli’s vice president, manager Kang Hyun, was able to reserve the most popular themes with his excellent reservation skills, and members were able to have a great time.
“Room escape games naturally foster teamwork and bonding because you have to work with your coworkers to solve problems, and the confined space of the game makes it easy to communicate with coworkers you don’t know, so it’s a great opportunity to get to know them. I’ve often wondered if a coworker I’ve always wanted to get to know would come to ‘P@ssw0rd’ and play an room escape game.”
Manager Heo Nam-guk, Domestic Steel Logistics Team, who is the president of dongeuli, hopes that members will experience the exciting story through the room escape game. He hopes that they will get a good stimulation in their free time, get to know their coworkers, and find like-minded friends. We hope that the management team and members will continue their efforts to grow into a dongeuli that everyone can feel free to join and enjoy.
What is the appeal of room escape games?
I think it’s the immersive nature of the experience. The way you play as the protagonist of a story and solve problems is similar to a typical PC or console game, but the difference is that PC games are played by moving your character around the screen with a keyboard or mouse, while room escape games put you in real-life situations where you see, hear, touch, and think. In terms of immersion, it’s a much higher level than computer games, so it’s more engaging and there’s a greater sense of accomplishment when you complete a mission. There’s also a natural bond that develops with the people you play with, so you can get to know strangers quickly!
Do you have any memorable stories about the dongeuli’s activities?
This time, I chose a horror theme called “Flash,” which was the number one rated horror theme. I knew that only hardcore fans of the genre would like it, but none of the members actually signed up for it, so I almost had the game to myself. Luckily, my friends decided to join me the day before the regular activity, so the three of us could able to scream to our hearts’ content and enjoy the horror theme.
I was also really impressed with the acting skills of the part-time staff member who plays the villain in the “Flash” theme. When I first met him, I thought he was joking because he was doing a situation play, but when I realized he was playing a character in the game, I burst out laughing. I won’t say more because it would be a spoiler.
Play time: 60 minutes
Image source: @escapers.official
The game is set in a circus, and it’s a low-activity game that takes place in a very small space, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for beginners. However, if you’re afraid of pierrotophobia, this game might be too much for you.
Play time: 70 minutes
Image source: @goldenkey_utopia
A story-driven horror theme! The story and pacing are more like a thriller than horror. The subject matter is commonplace, but if you’re the main character, you’ll experience a story filled with some pretty scary situations.
Play time: 60 minutes
Image source: @escapecity__
‘Fragments of Memory’ is the first room escape game I’ve ever played, and it’s memorable because it’s a horror-themed room set in an abandoned school, and the lighting and atmosphere is really creepy.
Do you have any plans for activities other than regular activities?
Since we’re a new dongeuli, we haven’t been able to organize regular activities all the time, but we’re planning to recruit members who can’t attend regular activities or who want to play Room escape game in the months when there are no regular activities, so we can organize small activities! I hope we can become a dongeuli where members who really enjoy Room escape game can get together often and have fun and level up steadily, not just on a set schedule.
What was the most rewarding moment of being president?
I was quite proud of the fact that a lot of hidden masterminds who had always wanted to play room escape games joined our dongeuli. It was clear that there was a need for room escape games among Hyundai Glovis employees. Also, at our first regular meeting, after the room escape game game was over, it was really nice to see everyone eagerly discussing the game they had played that day at the dinner table. It was nice to have something to talk about even after the game was over, so we could enjoy the evening.
Is there someone you’d like to thank for helping you with dongeuli activities?
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Group Leader Park Joong-jang of the Vehicle Logistics Group for accepting the position of advisor for dongeuli, even though the activity of a room escape game is unfamiliar and overwhelming! I would also like to express my gratitude to Manager Kang Hyun, the vice president of dongeuli, and Manager Kang Jeong-ah, the secretary, for creating and managing ‘P@ssw0rd’ with me. Without their efforts, P@ssw0rd would not have been possible. Thanks to them, we were able to successfully complete the first launch. I look forward to building a Dongeuli that good people can enjoy for a long time.
“I didn’t get to play a popular theme I wanted to play because I didn’t have a friend to play Room escape game with,
Whether you’re looking to start a new hobby or just want to meet some great people,
Join our dongeuli and I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t regret it!”
What are the benefits of room escape games as a hobby?
Room escape games are timed, and that’s what makes them so addictive. With a variety of themes and stories to choose from, they’re a great way to break up the monotony of everyday life. They require teamwork and cooperation to solve unexpected situations, and they offer a small sense of accomplishment along the way.
What are the benefits of dongeuli activity with coworkers?
The dongeuli gives me the opportunity to meet people I don’t have contact with through work, and since I spend most of my life at work, I think it’s good for me to meet and interact with my geographically closest coworkers.
Do you have any memorable stories of the dongeuli in action?
We don’t have any special episodes yet, as the dongeuli has just been launched, but we hope to create unforgettable memories with many of you as we get to know each other better through the trials and tribulations of room escape games.
Do you have any themes or activities you’d like to see P@ssw0rd tackle in the future?
Although ‘P@ssw0rd’ is an room escape game dongeuli, I’m looking forward to trying out different horror themes, such as crime scenes and mafia games, because there’s so much content available these days.
What’s the best room escape game game or room escape game cafe of all time?
I don’t have much experience with room escape games, so I can only recommend one! It’s a mystery genre called ‘Strange Family’ by Room Eight. I didn’t have too many problems and I was quite immersed in it. However, when I searched for it recently, I found that the ‘Strange Family’ theme has disappeared. It’s a shame, but I will definitely go back to Room Eight. There are many autographs of celebrities on the walls of the store, so I recommend going there for a reason.
Image source: @eroom_8
“Thank you, members, for joining us for this first regular meeting!
I hope to see you more often in the future.
and if you’re thinking about joining, feel free to reach out. Welcome!”
What is the appeal of room escape games?
I think the appeal of room escape games lies in the fact that you have to move around and solve problems, rather than just sit and complete quests like in online games, and I think the thrill of solving a problem with a group of people using their collective intelligence is a big part of the appeal.
Has the room escape game dongeuli made a difference in your work life or daily routine?
‘P@ssw0rd’ was founded in January this year and started its first regular activity in February, and I think it will be another fun hobby for me in the future. I think the great thing about our room escape game dongeuli is that members who participate in the same theme can build empathy with each other and make good memories.
Genre: Drama, Corporate Adventure / Playtime: 80 minutes / Difficulty: 3.5/5
Image source: @dreamescape_official
Recommended for those who want to experience a new challenge that breaks the mold. It’s the most challenging theme in the Dream Escape canon, and there’s even a sub problem at the end of the main problem, so it’s recommended for those who have some experience with room escape games.
Genre: Fantasy / Playtime: 75 minutes / Difficulty: 4/5
Image source: @keyescape__official
It’s a very popular theme, and you’ll be able to experience the fun setting from the very beginning of the game, as it’s a “producing restaurant”. It’s hard to get a reservation, but once you do, you’ll be hooked on room escape games.
Genre: Emotional / Playtime: 60 minutes / Difficulty: 3/5
Image source: @secret_garden_forest
A healing story set in a cute bakery interior. There are a lot of questions for your time, but if you’re looking for a healing theme, this is a great option.
Do you have any tips for having more fun with Room escape game?
Because popular themes are fun, you will need to make reservations according to the reservation opening dates for each theme. I recommend checking out the site-specific reservation tips in advance to prepare. However, I’ve never been able to do this successfully. If you’re an escape room expert, please come to ‘P@ssw0rd’ and share your reservation tips with us. Haha
“If you’re looking to take up a new hobby or try out the latest room escape game cafe,
you’re in luck.
We invite everyone to come to “P@ssw0rd!” Not just to play games, but to connect with members and our motto is to share the good vibes,
Feel free to knock on the door anytime.”
By Editiorial Department
Image source Dream Escape Kundae Branch, Secret Flower Garden Forest Kunkook University Branch, Eroom Eight, Escape Persons Hongdae 1st Branch, Escape City Yeongdeungpo Main Branch, Keyscape Gangnam Theoreum Branch, Golden Keys Kundae Branch
2024.3.8