Time to Let Bygones Be Bygones
Now let’s talk about the good things in the Korean workplace. Korean companies often hold team or department dinners called Hoesik to celebrate small wins or to strengthen teamwork and create a more collaborative environment. The frequency depends largely on how alcoholic your boss is. For a few unfortunate (or fortunate) souls, this is a twice-a-week event. It usually starts with a BBQ dinner accompanied by plenty of Somaek (soju + beer cocktail), followed by “Chimaek” (fried chicken and beer) at another venue. Your boss will call for a “Geonbae” (cheers) throughout the night, and everyone is encouraged forced to bottoms up their drinks.
Depending on the occasion, it may be a time for your boss to unleash the fury he has been bottling up, or a time for subordinates to vent about whatever has been weighing on them throughout the week. It’s usually work-related, and almost anything said or done during a Hoesik is forgiven. This is the time when Koreans truly let bygones be bygones. You’re encouraged to speak openly about what’s been bothering you, and you will often get a heartfelt, alcohol-fueled apology in return. Sometimes things get emotional, crying and quarrels are not unusual. It’s always a memorable event, no matter which direction it takes.
As midnight approaches, the group usually splits into those who want more drinks and those who simply want to go home. If your boss is someone who likes to drink late into the night, it’s strongly encouraged to stay until he calls it a night. This is when the real, unspoken appraisal begins. Loyalty is measured by how late you stay by his side. Those who leave early are viewed as selfish and not a team player. After the third round, the Hoesik usually ends—officially, at least.
Despite how fun or horrifying the Hoesik was the night before, no one brings it up the next morning. Everyone goes about their day as if all the screaming and crying from the night before never happened.
Sadly, younger Koreans are less enthusiastic about these rituals, and they are increasingly being replaced with alcohol-free lunches or movie outings instead. Seriously—how are we supposed to bond without an alcohol-fueled emotional breakdown session?
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