Why do Koreans and Irish Love Alcohol So Much?

There are few countries that have taken to alcohol with so much gusto as the Irish and Koreans. Sure there are some countries that might outdrink us (don’t wanna mess with those Russians…) But we share an earnestness and dedication that is unmatched.

Maybe because alcohol makes us forget our worries. And between us we’ve had our fair share of woes. But there’s something about how we’ve both taken alcohol deep within our culture and national psyche that I want to investigate. 

As I said, I’m sure there are other countries that drink more than us but what is it about these two countries that makes us stand out for our attachment to alcohol? (Koreans are notorious in Asia for their drinking habits.) 

One I mentioned before is, alcohol helps us forget our worries. Both of our histories have been plagued with poverty and tragedies. Alcohol helps you forget how poor and hungry and sick you are.

But the second reason I think is more important and more defining. Both the Irish and Koreans are sociable people.  And alcohol is used as a means of social bonding.  We like to make friends.  And alcohol can sure make you friendlier!

The reason why? I think it’s because another personality trait we share is our tendency to move in groups. The Irish are ‘clannish’, meaning we like to stick together. (Meaning we feel naked if there are less than four of us moving together.) The same goes for Korea. Here, you never do anything alone. You don’t even live on your own. Grown children live with their parents until they marry. This is sometimes a point of exasperation and humour for single English teachers who live in Korea and can’t buy anything smaller than an 18 pack of toilet rolls. (I have since been corrected on this point by WickedBiccie. She exclaimed that an 18 pack is small. A 24 roll pack is the standard size. Go figure.)

I think this group mentality stems from our histories of constant invaders and intruders – united we stand, divided we fall. And we use alcohol as one way to unite one another.

Korea has a lot more rules and etiquette concerning alcohol consumption than in Ireland, but the mentalities are much the same. One rule we share is:

Refusal is not an option.

In Ireland and Korea, this is the height of rudeness. If you don’t drink at all, then refusing from the get-go is not a problem. But once you start…it is beyond awkward to refuse a second drink. You would be seen as alienating yourself from the group by refusing. In countries where individualism is prized, America for example, I’m sure this would be a very strange concept. But in countries where sticking together is a survival strategy, this is completely natural. This is something I think we’re not even consciously aware of. I think almost every Irish person has once uttered the famous last words, “Sure I’ll just go out for one.” Almost as soon as the words exit their mouths they know it won’t happen. And that’s because it never, ever happens.

Another rule is:

No man is left behind.

Because refusal is not an option, rule number 2 is a natural consequence of rule number 1. Everyone keeps going until a mutual agreement is made to stop, or (more likely) continuing becomes physically impossible.  You can’t drink anymore if you’re horizontal or comatose. But it creates a sense of “We’re all in this together.” And also the mutual trust of “I’ve got your back.” Because if you are completely intoxicated then you have no option but to completely trust your drinking buddies. You have to have the confidence in your friend to think “If I pass out I know he’s going to get me home safely. Or if we get in a fight, I know he’s going to stick around and not run away.” Nothing creates brotherhood like inebriation. 

Here’s what my guide-book has to say on the matter. “Drinking in Korea is not only accepted, it’s encouraged and often necessary at certain social events.” Sounds exactly like Ireland to me! Try to imagine an Irish wedding or wake without alcohol. It’d be like trying to imagine Elton John without sparkly sunglasses and dangly earrings. It just can’t be done. 

A lot of the rites of passage and fabric of daily life goes hand in hand (or glass in hand) with alcohol in both countries. We drink to congratulate, commiserate, postulate and celebrate. Alcohol is linked to

both our cultural identities so closely it is impossible to separate them. 

We drink to forget and we drink to forge bonds of friendship. We both inherently understand the importance of sticking together. If we stand back to back no sneaky invader can attack us unawares.

It is this instinct for camaraderie and kinship that makes me feel there really is something about these two countries that is “same-same.”

Here’s a real life example of everything I’ve been saying. During my first week in Korea I went with my sister’s Taekwondo class to a mokali (rice wine) restaurant. I was sitting next to a lovely and charming Korean lady. Everyone calls her “Yaypun Unni.” It means ‘pretty older sister.’

As I lifted the bowl of mokoli to my lips, Yaypun Unni exclaimed in half-surprise, “You drink?” I froze. Was my newly acquired older sister going to lecture me on the dangers of drinking?

“Uh…yes.” I hesitated. Her face broke into a beautiful grin. “Oh good! I like you!” And we instantly became friends.

Next, I’m going to talk about a hilarious side-effect of drinking that both countries enjoy indulging in…

Are Koreans the Irish of Asia?

During my time in Korea I have been repeatedly having a similar conversation along the same lines. It goes something like this. “Korea and Ireland seem to share a hell of a lot in common! Why is that?”

I wish to use this blog as a series of ponderings revolving around this question. It is both curious and comforting to learn that a country that I knew shamefully little of, tucked away in the middle of East Asia has an alarming amount in common with my own little country, in terms of national characteristics, history and cultural quirks. These connections have definitely helped me to feel less homesick and have eased me into a comfortable life here.

A few years ago, my father, a science teacher, had a particularly bright and diligent student who he was quite fond of. Her name was Lee Sun Wha O'Mahoney. She was a Korean who moved to Australia to learn English. While she was there, she fell in love with and married an Irishman named O'Mahoney. They subsequently moved to Ireland where she started to study science.

After class one day, my father and Mrs. Sun Wha O'Mahoney became engaged in a rather interesting conversation. She told my father how similar Ireland and Korea are. She found this time and time again living in Ireland and getting to know her husband's friends and family. She told my Dad that the Irish and Koreans are tough and stubborn, hard-working but with a great sense of humour and an earnestness for drinking alcohol. We also share a generosity of spirit and fierce loyalty to our families. Our histories and cultures also have some spooky parallels.

He came home and told me this story with enthusiasm but I, a reluctant teenager at the time, barely lifted my head from the latest episode of Home & Away to register his conversation. I had no interest in hearing about some country that had so little to do with my life. If only I had known then what an intriguing signpost it would be. So now, let's look at some of the startling similarities that we share:

Constant invasions have caused us both to become tenacious and stubborn. (Korea has hardly had a moment by themselves between China, Japan, Russia and America.)

Both of us have clung tightly to our cultural identities like a terrier with a bone. We don't give up without a fight.

Although we are tough and determined people, we know how to have fun. Koreans LOVE nothing more than getting drunk and singing. Guess what other country in the world is famous for its drinkers and singers?

We are also obsessed with food. I put this down to the fact that we were poor and starving for so long that we constantly think with our mouths and our stomachs.

In Ireland, it is the height of ignorance not to offer someone in your home something to eat or drink (regardless of whether they were invited or not.) Meanness is considered to be a criminal trait in Ireland. A huge insult to say of someone a bit on the frugal side is that they'd hide their dinner if they saw you passing the window.

In Korea, a common form of greeting is “shiksa ha-shoss o-yo?” (“Have you eaten?”)

We don't have an equivalent greeting in Ireland but we do constantly badger our friends and neighbours to eat or drink something once on our threshold.

Perfectly polite and mild-mannered people become tea mongers and biscuit pimps, cajoling and coaxing our guests with “Aah you'll have a drop,” or “You'll have a bite.” Korea is no different. These people will ply you with food and alcohol until you weep for mercy.

Another point of similarity is that both our countries are divided. As far as I'm aware, Korea and Ireland are the only two counties in the world who are split in two. (I mean politically not geographically like New Zealand.) This division and separation has influenced our countries' mental states. It creates an unsettled restless feeling. And that feeling is here too – a sadness, a loss.

It is due to these striking similarities that I want to compare and contrast these two great countries. I will write a series of short articles focusing on each point of similarity. Why don't you grab a Guinness and some kimchi and come join me?