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If you’ve watched a few Kdramas, you’ve probably seen the characters drinking alcohol at some point along the way. Whether its to relax, celebrate, or being compelled to attend after-work meal gatherings, drinking is a popular activity in South Korea and it makes an appearance frequently in television shows.
One such example a series you can find on Netflix called My ID is Gangnam Beauty. The show centers around Kang Mi-rae (Lim Soo-hyang), a high school student bullied for her (no offense) fugly face, who gets plastic surgery before entering college in the hope of finally being accepted as normal.
Mi-rae’s face has been completely remodeled. Her dad doesn’t even recognize her. But when she runs into a former middle school classmate, Do Kyeong-seok (Chan En-woo), somehow he seems to know who she is and forms a bond with her.
Gangnam Beauty is the kind of show consisting of college-age students, with one of the friends owning a bar, so yeah, there’s a lot of drinking. The alcohol that you see in those green bottles is called soju, and it’s the most popular alcohol in Korea.
Lim Soo-hyang drinking soju in Gangnam Beauty
What is Soju?
Soju is an alcohol made out of grains and starches, like wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, and tapioca. Its origins trace back to 13th-century Korea when Mongol invaders led by Genghis Khan introduced Levantine distilling techniques to the Korean Peninsula.
The word soju translates as “burning liquor” and was used to refer to distilled beverages containing over 35% alcohol by volume (ABV).
In the 1960s, the Korean government banned distilling soju from rice and other grains due to food shortages in the years following the Korean War, resulting in lower ABV when soju is made from sweet potatoes or tapioca. The ban was lifted in 1999 but many different types of soju are still produced today with alcohol percentages ranging between 15-50%.
By volume, Soju is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world, in large part because it’s so cheap. At only $1.50 U.S. dollars per bottle, it costs a little more than just plain water. Getting shitfaced in Korea is very affordable!
How do you drink soju?
There are various forms of etiquette and ceremonial procedures when it comes to consuming suju.
1. In a group
Generally, soju is consumed with food at a bar, alcohol tent, or restaurant with friends, family, or coworkers. It’s poor form to drink soju by yourself.
2. Shake the bottle
Traditionally, before opening the bottle, soju drinkers would shake the bottle and tap it against their elbow to release sediments that had collected at the bottom. Once opened, they would knock the top of the bottle with their hand to make the soju spill over and release the sediments onto the table.
Modern manufacturing techniques have greatly improved the quality of soju while minimizing sediments and making a much cleaner soju than years past. However, you can still walk through the traditional steps because it still looks “cool” and its part of the soju experience.
3. Have someone pour your drink
Soju is not nursed and sucked on like a baby bottle but poured into shot glasses in a very civil manner. In this way, soju is shared and everyone can drink their shots together. Drinking is a very social activity.
Never pour your own alcohol. It’s considered rude to fill your own glass. Etiquette states that you should pour for others and let others pour for you. If you pour your own soju, it’s seven years of bad luck.
Pouring soju for another in My ID is Gangnam Beauty
4. Respect your elders
Korea is all about status. A younger person uses two hands to pour a shot for his or her elder or superior.
When you clink the shot glasses together and exclaim geonbae! the younger person should clink their glass lower than their elder or superior and you must, respectfully, turn away and not drink while facing them.
5. Mix it with beer
In Kdramas, you will sometimes see soju mixed with a light beer. When mixed together, the drink is called somaek (소맥), an abbreviation of soju and maekju (beer).
There is no set standard for mixing preparation for soju and beer, but many drinkers will suggest 3 parts soju to 7 parts beer. Sometimes it’s less, like 1 or 2 parts to 7.
Use a spoon, chopstick, or whatever to make sure the soju and beer have been mixed together.
Soju being mixed with beer in My ID is Gangam Beauty
What does soju taste like?
Soju is about half as strong as vodka and very easy to drink. The original soju tastes like a very smooth vodka. The flavored ones are very fruity in flavor and are offered in Strawberry, Apple Mango, Peach, Green Grape, Grapefruit, Mint Chocolate and a ton more.
Flavored soju is delicious. You can hardly taste the alcohol. People often say it tastes melted popsicle or liquefied Starbursts, which makes it somewhat dangerous because it tastes so good.
How much soju should I drink?
Soju is loaded with calories. A single bottle contains 400-500 calories, making each shot worth about 70-80 calories, which isn’t all that different from beer if comparing their alcoholic content. Don’t drink too much soju if you’re looking to lose weight.
Also, the alcohol content of soju is much higher than beer. One bottle is about the equivalent of 4 standard drinks. If you’re new to soju, pace yourself. The alcohol is known as the quintessential “sneak up on you” spirit.
Chan En-woo getting liquored up in My ID is Gangam Beauty
Like any other alcohol, soju can lead to fatty liver disease, pancreatitis, gastritis and other harmful health problems when consumed in excess. Drink soju in moderation.
Where can I buy Soju?
In Korea
In Korea, soju is available almost everywhere; convenience stores, grocery stores, fancy restaurants, alcohol house (bars), alcohol tents (pojangmacha 포장마차) that serve food, online stores—it’s actually hard to not find it.
Liquor store
In other countries like the United States, buying Korean-specific products, like Soju, can sometimes be challenging because not all places will stock those items or are even aware that they exist.
Try visiting your local liquor store. If their selection is large enough, or if the local market for soju is big enough, they might have it.
Expect to pay more for soju in countries other than Korea, like $9 or more per bottle in the United States and $15 or more for a bottle in Canada.
Amazon
You can actually order soju and other alcoholic beverages from Amazon.
When you place the item in your cart, you are acknowledging that you are 21 years or older. A valid ID may be checked at the time of delivery or pickup to verify your age.
Korean Restaurants
Korean or Japanese restaurants may sell bottles of it in your city. Check out the restaurant’s website or menu beforehand. Also, expect to pay more per bottle than the liquor store.
Summary
Soju is a clear alcoholic beverage that is very popular in Korea. It’s often seen and drank on Kdramas and in real life when people are eating out, celebrating, or having after-work social gatherings.
Keep in mind, there is an etiquette that surrounds drinking soju. Do a little research before putting on your high heels. You don’t want to appear the moron when drinking in front of others.
Soju’s low cost, sweet and delicious flavors make it the most consumed alcohol in the world. If you’ve never tried it yourself, wander around your city and pick up a bottle or two.
