Street tents and drinking scenes in dramas

A pojangmacha is a street stall covered with a tent or plastic sheeting that serves simple dishes and drinks, and dramas often use it as the place where characters open up. Today many indoor bars recreate the pojangmacha atmosphere. Street stalls depend on local regulations, and in some areas there are fewer than before.

The green bottle you see so often in dramas is usually soju, Korea's most popular liquor. It is poured into small shot glasses and often enjoyed with foods like grilled pork belly or stew. Soju is stronger than beer, so it is wise to pace yourself, especially if you are not used to it.

In Korea, when an older person pours you a drink, you hold your glass with both hands, and when you drink, you turn your head slightly away. That is what young characters in dramas are doing when they turn aside to sip. Today, depending on the group, these customs are often relaxed.

Korean drinking culture traditionally considers it polite to fill each other's glasses rather than your own. Refilling someone's empty glass is also a way of building the relationship. These days, many groups are more relaxed and people simply drink at their own pace, so it is fine to follow the group's lead.

Both geonbae and jjan are said when clinking glasses. Geonbae is a bit more formal, while jjan is casual among friends. At company dinners, one person may give a toast speech before everyone shouts together. When clinking with an elder, it is polite to hold your glass slightly lower than theirs.

Somaek is a mix of soju and beer, a common drink at Korean gatherings. People mix it in their own ratios, and dramas sometimes show someone tapping the glass with a spoon or chopsticks to make it foam. Because it tastes smooth, it is easy to drink more than you intend, so be careful.

Under Korea's Juvenile Protection Act, people can generally buy alcohol from January 1 of the year they turn 19 by international age. Shops and bars may check identification, so carry your passport or other ID. For the exact rules, check the relevant laws and official guidance rather than relying on what you see in dramas.

Pojangmacha scenes often show anju, food eaten with drinks, such as fish cake soup, spicy chicken feet, rolled omelet and chewy pork cartilage. At barbecue restaurants, pork belly with soju is classic, and at chicken shops, fried chicken with beer. In Korea, eating food while drinking is the norm rather than drinking alone.

2cha, the second round, means moving to a new place to continue after the first round of drinking or dinner ends. Dramas often show groups heading to a beer pub or karaoke room after dinner. These days, many gatherings end after the first round, and only those who want to go on to the second.

In Korea, people enjoy savory pancakes like pajeon with makgeolli, a milky rice wine, on rainy days. Some say the sizzling sound of frying resembles falling rain, but the true origin is uncertain. Dramas often use this combination to set a cozy rainy-day mood, and many restaurants see more customers when it rains.

Yes. Korea punishes drunk driving strictly, and its legal blood alcohol limit is relatively low. If you have been drinking, never drive; use public transport, a taxi or a designated driver service called daeri unjeon. For the exact limits and penalties, check official guidance from the Korean National Police Agency.

Daeri unjeon is a designated driver service: a driver comes and drives your own car to your destination after you have been drinking. In Korea, it is easy to call through apps or by phone, so it appears often in dramas. Prices vary by distance and time, so check the fare before you confirm.

Yes. It is fine to decline alcohol for health, religious or personal reasons. Politely say 저는 술을 못 마셔요 (jeoneun sureul mot masyeoyo), meaning I can't drink, and join toasts with a soft drink instead. Pressuring others to drink is increasingly seen as rude in Korea, so most people will understand.

Haejangguk is soup eaten the day after drinking to settle the stomach, and there are many kinds, such as bean sprout soup, dried pollack soup and pork bone soup. Dramas often show someone making haejangguk for a hungover character. How much it helps with a hangover varies from person to person.

Piggybacking a drunk character home is a favorite romance drama device that brings two people closer. Confessions made while being carried are another classic moment. In real life, heavy drinking poses risks to health and safety, so drink in moderation, and if someone is unresponsive, call 119.

In the past, the senior person or the one who invited often paid for everyone, but splitting the bill is now common too. Drama scenes where people argue at the counter over who will pay are a way to show affection. When traveling with others, deciding how to pay in advance keeps things simple.

Drinking games are sometimes played among Korean university students and groups of friends, which is why they appear in dramas and variety shows. The rules change with trends. Forcing someone to drink as a penalty can be dangerous, so it is perfectly fine to swap in a non-alcoholic drink instead.

Honsul is short for honja masineun sul, drinking alone, whether at home or at a bar. As single-person households have grown, dramas about drinking and eating alone have appeared too. Some bars and restaurants now offer counter seats designed for solo customers, so going alone is no longer unusual in Korea.

Dramas often show characters drinking beer at plastic tables outside convenience stores, and it is a real sight in Korea. However, drinking outside stores may be restricted by local rules or the shop's own policy. Be considerate of nearby residents by keeping noise down late at night and cleaning up after yourself.

Drinking scenes in dramas are often exaggerated for the story, so there is no need to copy them. Basic etiquette like receiving a glass with both hands is good to know, but staying within your own limits matters most. If you feel unwell, rest immediately, and in an emergency in Korea, call 119.