While not every individual drinks nightly, South Korea has one of the world's heaviest drinking cultures, with ~7 million bottles of soju consumed nightly and high rates of weekly alcohol consumption. Alcohol, especially soju, is a deeply ingrained social lubricant and stress reliever, often used for business socializing and, for many, an essential part of daily life.
The biggest hard alcohol drinkers on the globe aren't cuddled up somewhere in sub-zero Siberia; they're sipping on Soju, in South Korea. South Koreans drink 13.7 shots of liquor per week on average, which is the most in the world. And of 44 other countries analyzed by Euromonitor, none comes anywhere close.
In Korea, 20% of drinkers are binge or excessive drinkers, and are responsible for 66% of all alcohol consumption [2]. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation identified alcohol intake at a harmful level (through excessive or binge drinking) as the fifth largest risk factor for death, and disability.
Men in Romania are, by and large, the heaviest drinkers on the planet. The average Romanian male drinks 27.3 liters, roughly seven and a half gallons, per year. It's not just the men in Romania that boast such high numbers.
Europeans drink a lot, but how often? Data shows that as people get older, their daily intake of alcohol also increases. People aged between 15 and 24 are the smallest group in the daily drinker statistics (representing only 1 per cent), while those 75 or older are more likely to have a drink every day (16 per cent).
The 1-2-3 drinking rule is a moderation guideline: no more than 1 drink per hour, 2 drinks per occasion, and 3 alcohol-free days per week, helping to pace consumption and reduce risk, though it's important to know that no level of alcohol is completely risk-free, and other guidelines (like the 0-1-2-3 rule or official dietary recommendations) also exist. A "standard drink" is key: 12 oz regular beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz spirits, and it's crucial to avoid mixing alcohol with medications or while driving.
Barley tea is highly popular in Korea and like so many Korean drinks it's often drunk for its health benefits. Many Koreans drink this tea like water, believing that it will cleanse the body and improve the digestive system. And it's also caffeine free.
While South Korea is becoming more open to modern dating norms, overt displays of affection in public still raise eyebrows. Holding hands is fine, but kissing or hugging can make others uncomfortable particularly older generations.
' That shows just how lightly Korean society treats sleep,” said Shin, who is also president of the Korean Society of Sleep Research (KSSM). According to a 224 KSSM report on sleep habits, Koreans sleep for an average of six hours and 58 minutes, which is 18 percent less than the OECD average.
The 4B movement is a lifestyle choice for women, rejecting four traditional expectations: marriage, childbirth, dating, and sex with men. The 4B ideology first emerged in South Korea around 2015, following the rise of 'Megalia', a radical feminist online community.
Soju, a clear, slightly sweet distilled spirit, is the most popular Korean liquor. It is known as "a friend of life" and "the common people's drink." Soju is made from grains (such as rice, barley, and wheat) or starches, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tapioca.
Meal frequency, an eating habit, has long been a topic of research owing to its relationship with metabolic health. The regular consumption of three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner— is considered the norm in traditional Korean society.
The Korean diet is rich in fish, tofu, eggs and legumes. By eating little red meat, they take in lighter protein sources and less fat and calories. Lean protein promotes satiety, supports metabolism and the maintenance of muscle mass.
Barley tea is a roasted-grain-based infusion made from barley. It is a staple across many East Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea. It has a toasty, bitter flavor. In Korea, the tea is consumed either hot or cold, often taking the place of drinking water in many homes and restaurants.
Photo : Getty Images Bank. A report finds that more than one third of young Korean couples are “dual income, no kids” couples, or DINKs, amid the country's chronically low birthrate.
On August 24, 2025, South Korea's National Assembly voted to approve amendments to the Trade Union and Labour Relations Adjustment Act (the “Act”), also known as the “Yellow Envelope Act.” The reform, long resisted by prior governments and business groups, expands the scope of who qualifies as an “employer,” broadens ...
The Korean Lemon Act, which took effect in 2019, is a system that allows consumers to exchange and refund new cars if the same defects continue to occur within a certain period of time.
This kind of sudden silence – what we call “ghosting” – can feel hurtful. But often, it's more about fear than disrespect. In fact, according to a survey by Seoul City, 63% of young Koreans said they avoid awkward situations by simply stopping contact. So if this happens to you, please don't blame yourself.
Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.
After one standard drink, it generally takes about 1 hour for your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to return to zero, as the liver metabolizes roughly one drink per hour, but factors like weight, sex, and metabolism can slightly alter this, with the BAC peaking within 30-60 minutes before steadily decreasing. Time is the only factor that eliminates alcohol; you'll be clear of alcohol in your system after roughly 1 to 2 hours for a single drink, but this varies.
