Another very interesting fact I found about Korean college students is that they always try their best to avoid eating alone. In the US, it is very common to see student walk alone, eat alone and study alone. We do pursue and encourage independence and individualism. But the situation in Korea is totally different, eating alone somewhat means that the student is excluded an isolated from majorities. A freshman student is supposed to actively socialize with others and ask upper class students for dinner. If they always eat alone, they might become the object of bullying.
There is a specific and very important honor title “SUNBAE & HOOBAE.” During socializing, lower level students, especially freshman students (Hoobae) should try their best to impressive upper-class students (their Sunbae.) Drinking is the most common way for them to establish connection and bound. The manner of drinking is very strict: if Sunbae ask Hoobae to drink, Hoobae should never reject. Hoobae should take the cup with both hands and drink all of them. Similar to drinking parties in the US, all drinking dinners in Korea includes various kinds of drinking games, which facilitate their interaction and communication.
(Interesting video about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfOtpYAoYNA)
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