Why Younger Koreans Are Saying No to Heavy Drinking The End of Late-Night Company Drinking Culture Something BIG is shifting in Korean drinking culture! South Korea’s famous after-work drinking culture is losing steam as younger generations turn away from late-night company gatherings and heavy alcohol consumption. “Hoesik” — company dinners involving multiple rounds of drinking … Read more
Korean Ginseng and Taekwondo Seek UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Status Korea Submits Two Major Traditions to UNESCO This is HUGE news for Korean culture! The Korea Heritage Service just announced that it has submitted two nomination dossiers to UNESCO headquarters for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The traditions? Korean ginseng … Read more
How Strangers Become Friends Through Sweat and Soaking A New Way to Connect: Sauna Crews Are Taking Over Korea This is honestly SO cool! Young Koreans are forming “sauna crews” to bathe with strangers and build real friendships. “Jeong”, a 34-year-old office worker in Seoul’s Nonhyeon-dong, has been bathing with strangers every two weeks for … Read more
Why Koreans Don’t Say “Bless You” After Sneezing Cultural Differences in Simple Gestures “Nisa Sermchaiwong”, an American student in Seoul, felt increasingly awkward as she whispered “bless you” for the fifth time to her sneezing classmate. The silent lab made each blessing feel more out of place, until her Korean senior finally laughed at the … Read more
Essential Etiquette Guide Understanding Hoesik in Modern Korea Ever heard the phrase “Let’s grab some soju next time?” In Korea, this isn’t just a casual invitation—it’s often the gateway to building professional relationships! While the intensity has mellowed since the ’90s, “hoesik” (work dining after hours) remains a unique cultural phenomenon where colleagues bond over … Read more