I recently went to a homecoming event for both students and alumni (old boys), and had so much fun there. I noticed that university students do not drink much alcohol these days. Around 20 students ordered only two bottles of 소주 and three bottles of beer and lightly shared some 소맥 at a 삼겹살 restaurant. Even during the second round at a pub (2차) near the university, most students ordered just one highball each, while only a few people, mostly old boys, ordered bottles of 소주. I also noticed that students at other tables did not drink much alcohol. A group of around 10 male students ordered only 5 bottles of 소주.
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Apparently, alcohol companies feel threatened by this change, so they regularly send boxes of 소주 to hobby clubs (동아리) and give out free 소주 at university festivals to increase students’ familiarity with it. Unfortunately, I heard that students are not that interested in 소주. The reason is very clear : 소주 is not tasty. They want delicious drinks. Maybe this is why highballs are getting popular. A highball masks the off-odor of ethanol, and ethanol is being used almost like a food additive to add bitterness to the drink.
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In line with these cultural changes, I am looking forward to improvements in 회식 culture. There should be no more pressure to drink alcohol or moments when people become unconscious and behave rudely.
submitted by /u/KoreanGrammarDoctor
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