한국어 본문은 하단에 있습니다^^

Last time, I introduced you all the behind story of Korea's night view.

https://steemkr.com/kr/@stella12/en-the-behind-story-about-the-night-view-of-korea

Today, I'm gonna introduce you one of the most impressive and important concepts including overtime in Korean culture, Hoesik(회식). As I referred before, Korea is a food paradise. There are absurdly lots of foods to try when you're coming to Korea. But did you know that Korea is also the country of drinking, singing and dancing? Well, to understand this, We have to take a look at Hoesik.

Korea is well known for its own Hoesik culture. Hoesik means 'a group of company members' get-together which also includes some alcohol drinks at companies' expense.' Hoesik is usually being held at the end of a daily routine of the company. When we go to Hoesik, we usually have some delicious foods, like Samgyeopsal, Chicken, Gopchang-jeongol(Beef Tripe hot pot), etc. And almost always, some alcoholic drinks are provided also.

Well, it sounds pretty good, isn't it!? A little group of employees(sometimes it includes the boss or the board members) gets together, and go to a little restaurant, or maybe a pub. And have a little chat while eating some lovely foods, for free!(Since it's all on the company) But if Hoesik has only the proper functions like this, I'm sure I wouldn't've introduced it for everyone. Yes, unfortunately, this enjoyable little get-together have some problems also.

Let's take a look at a scene of Korean variety show.

It was just a flummery.

The biggest problem of Hoesik is that attendance is mandatory for all of the company members. To be accurate, it's not obligatory but I'm sure that if you do not attend Hoesik, you'll get some disadvantages in some way.Before I tell the reason why you may get some penalty from it, I must tell you a little bit about Korean history.

Korea is known as its 5,000years-long history. We got lots of countries in Korean peninsula, and naturally, each has had its own religions. And since Joseon Dynasty(previous form of Republic of Korea, from 1392-1910), we've accepted Confucianism as a national thought because of China, and we ended up with a firm order of rank. We don't have any 'national religion' or something anymore, but the thoughts and the manners from Confucianism last to this day.

Now, going back to Hoesik, since the lesson of 'Elders first' from Confucianism continues in these days, we have to respect elders, and it also means, our superiors at work. And it continues at the scene of Hoesik. Even though you are a nondrinker, you have to attend Hoesik. Why? Because, as I said, you might get some disadvantages! And if you attend Hoesik, maybe some of the superiors enforce you to drink some alcohol. You have no option but to take some alcohol from them and drink it. Moreover, there is a belief that if you show your simmering energy to your boss, and you flatter them enthusiastically, they will love you and the promotion will be moved forward~!! Yay~ And sadly, it is very true for many superiors. Also, I've heard that there are some companies which bully you impliedly if you didn't attend Hoesik :(

Hoesik is also considered as a extension of work to many workers. The main purpose of Hoesik is actually, 'make the all company members get along well, make them happy, so that improve efficiency and communication at work. It means the basic purpose of Hoesik is make the employees be a friend. But actually, lots of conversations about business take place while Hoesik instead of mundane daily conversation, and even some crucial ideas or opinions about important contracts! So if you didn't attend Hoesik yesteday, and if there was a crucial conversation about some agenda took place, there is no way for you to find out the information about it! It also means Hoesik isn't helpful for improving work efficiency! :(

Since Hoesik is obligatory and enforcible for everyone in the corporations or companies, there are lots of problems derived from it. Chronic fatigue from a hangover, lack of efficiency at work from a hangover, lots of complications from alcohol drinks, liver caner... etc.

Well, fortunately, some corporations noticed these drawbacks of Hoesik, and they have started to change Hoesik culture in soft ways. Some companies do Hoesik only at lunch so that everyone cannot drink alcohol. And some of them don't do Hoesik and instead, they use the funds for buying some present for its employees. But those stories are still from the little proportion of the companies, and lots of lots of companies are doing Hoesik in the same way as I said. But I believe this kind of culture will be changed some day and maybe, maybe the day will come everyone can enjoy Hoesik purely.

Today, I've talked about Korean Hoesik culture. So, how was it? Was it interesting?

Make sure you to me if you enjoyed this article!!

---

To get some more informations about Korea from me, visit the links below!

[EN][한국어]You must try spicy Galbi-jjim when you come to Korea! / 보기만 해도 얼큰한 매운 갈비찜
https://steemkr.com/kr/@stella12/en-you-must-try-spicy-galbi-jjim-when-you-come-to-korea
[EN][한국어]Welcome to Haeundae light festival! / 해운대 빛축제!
https://steemkr.com/kr/@stella12/en-welcome-to-haeundae-light-festival
[한국어][EN] 한국의 야경이 아름다운 이유 / The behind story about the night view of Korea
https://steemkr.com/kr/@stella12/en-the-behind-story-about-the-night-view-of-korea

---

오늘은 외국인들이 한국에 와서 가장 놀란다는 한국만의 독특한 문화! 회식 문화를 외국 친구들에게 소개합니다^^ '회식'이라는 단어는 '재벌'이라는 단어와 마찬가지로, 영어로 1:1매칭되는 표현이 없는 한국 특유의 표현이자 문화입니다.

회식의 본래 목적은 '회사 사람들이, 같은 부서 사람들이, 여럿이 함께 모여 식사를 하며 (주로 술을 곁들여) 마음을 터놓고 일터에서 하지 못한 이야기를 나누는 시간을 가지고, 이를 통해 친목을 다져 업무 능률과 의사소통 능력을 키우는 것'이라 하는데요. 지금까지의 회식 문화를 돌이켜 보았을 때, 이러한 회식의 본래 목적이 다소 변질되어 '상사에게 잘 보이기 위한 자리'로 변화해버렸다는 것은 정말 안타까운 점입니다.

제 얘기를 잠시 드리자면, 저는 대학시절부터 술도 비교적 잘 마시는 편이고 주변 사람들과 두루두루 잘 어울리던 편이라 회식 자리에서도 상사의 비위를 잘 맞추며(?) 분위기를 주도해 나가는 스타일이었는데요. 참.. 그런 것도 한두 번이지, 회식이 너무 잦아지니 점점 업무 효율도 떨어져 가고, 회식자리가 두려워지더라구요. 사람 좋아하고 노는 걸 좋아하는 저도 이런 생각을 하는데, 술을 잘 못마시거나 회식 분위기에 처음부터 적응하기 힘들었던 분들에게는 얼마나 불편한 자리일까요.

개인적으로 회식의 가장 큰 문제점을 꼽자면, 요놈의 술자리가 그냥 당일 즐기고 끝나는 것이 아니라, 내일 업무에 대한 영향을 초래한다는 점입니다. 물론 신체적 피로로 인한 영향도 있겠지만, 그보다 중요한 것은 '회식 자리에서 오가는 업무 이야기'들이죠. 회식자리에서 업무 관련한 이야기가 나오면, 급한 일이 있어 참석하지 못한 사람에게 다음날 출근해서 친절히 알려주지는 못할 망정, 왠지모르게 따돌리는 듯한 분위기가 조성되는 경우도 있다고 하구요.(제 이야기는 아닙니다 흑흑) 또, 회사의 미래를 결정짓는 중요한 의사결정을 술마시면서 내린다는 것도 이해하기 힘든 케이스죠.

뭐, 전 아직 파릇파릇한(?)20대라 오랜 기간 사회생활을 경험해보진 않았습니다. 그렇기에 조금은 단편적인 정보만을 제공했을 수도 있는데, 허접한 정보이지만 끝까지 읽어주셨다면 정말 고개숙여 감사드립니다. (꾸벅) 영문 버전은 한글 버전보다 한층 재미있게 풀어쓴 것 같으니, 외국 친구들이 읽어 본다면 한국의 회식 문화에 대해 정말 흥미로워할 것 같습니다. 다음에도 알찬 정보를 준비해 돌아오겠습니다^^