Hoesik: Korean Work Dinners and Drinking Culture

What hoesik is

Hoesik is when people from the same team or company eat and drink together after work. There is usually an occasion, such as welcoming a new hire, saying goodbye to someone leaving, wrapping up a project or the end of the year, and the bill is normally paid by the company or the most senior person. It has long been seen as a chance to talk about things that do not come up during work hours and to get to know each other, so in the past it was hard to skip. Today the atmosphere varies a lot by company and generation, so the best way to learn your team's norms is to ask a coworker.

Round one, two and three

A hoesik sometimes moves from place to place, and each stop is called a round: il-cha, i-cha and so on. Not every dinner runs this long, and these days it is common to end after the first round.

• Round one: dinner with drinks at a barbecue or Korean restaurant
• Round two: a move to a pub or bar to keep the conversation going
• Round three: karaoke, or a light bite to close out the night

Seating and toasts

At a restaurant, the seat farthest from the door is often offered to the most senior person. Once everyone is seated, the first glasses are filled together and the meal starts with a toast, sometimes with a short speech from the boss. New members or the youngest person may be asked to say a few words, so it helps to have a short line ready, such as thanking everyone and saying you look forward to working together. The basics of pouring and receiving drinks are covered in our article on Korean table manners. You will also often see people mixing soju and beer into somaek.

You can say no to alcohol

If you do not drink, or want to drink less, it is fine to decline politely. You do not need a long explanation, and saying it clearly at the start means people will offer less often afterward. Since the custom is to refill a glass once it is empty, leaving a little in yours is another way to avoid more.

• "I don't drink. I'll join you with a soft drink."
• "I'm on medication today, so I'll skip the alcohol."
• "I'm driving, so I won't drink tonight."
• "I'll take just one and sip it slowly."

When the pressure keeps coming

Continuing to push drinks after you have said no several times, or treating you worse for not drinking, is not acceptable behavior. In Korea too, there is now wide awareness that forcing people to drink or to attend dinners can be treated as workplace harassment. In the moment, you can smile and decline again, or break the flow by stepping out to the restroom, and asking a trusted coworker to back you up in advance also helps. If it keeps happening, talk to HR or your company's reporting channel. For specific standards and procedures, check your company policy and official guidance.

Drinking with your health in mind

Work dinners tend to run long and often involve mixing different drinks, so people end up drinking more than they planned. A few habits make the next day much easier. If your face flushes and your heart races after only a little alcohol, your body may not break it down well, so do not push yourself.

• Eat first instead of drinking on an empty stomach
• Drink a glass of water for every drink
• Cut back on mixing different kinds of alcohol
• Do not drink if you are on medication or pregnant
• If you keep feeling sick or someone becomes confused or unresponsive, get help immediately

Getting home and drunk driving

If you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel, no matter how little you had. Korea enforces drunk driving laws strictly, and above all it puts other people's lives at risk. If you came by car, call a designated driver service or leave the car and take public transport or a taxi. Taxis can be hard to find late at night, so check the time of the last train or bus in advance. If a coworker is very drunk, do not send them home alone, and message them to make sure they arrived. Bicycles and electric scooters are also off limits after drinking.

How work dinners are changing

More companies now hold lunch gatherings instead of evening drinks, or replace them with activities such as movies, shows or bowling. Many teams end after the first round or make attendance truly optional. If you are a foreign employee, there is no need to feel you must follow every Korean custom; being there and joining the conversation is enough. The next day, saying jal meogeosseumnida, "thank you for the meal," to your boss leaves a good impression. When the company is not paying, splitting the bill is common.