The new 'hoesik' wears running shoes
The hardest part of a company dinner used to come before the meal. A junior employee would glance at the clock, wait to hear where the team was going and then calculate the journey home. The invitation might sound casual but saying no was not ok. That was the reality of "hoesik" for many Korean workers — an obligatory meal together that could take ownership of an evening. Colleagues drank…
In the past, a significant aspect of company dinners in Korea was known as "hoesik." This meal would commence before the actual dinner and often took up people's evenings. Employees who were junior felt pressured to attend, as turning down an invitation was not an option. The dinner was a crucial event for fostering team cohesion, as colleagues would often drink together, aiming to build trust.
However, those who left early were at risk of appearing unfriendly or disengaged. The dinner had its own set of rules, such as paying attention to seating arrangements, when to raise one's glass, and when the supervisor was ready to depart. Moreover, conversation during the dinner could feel like part of the job.
While some viewed these dinners as opportunities to form lasting friendships that extended beyond their current workplace, others found the experience draining. They spent hours during the meal, contemplating the next morning's commute. Despite these mixed feelings, the dynamics surrounding hoesik were changing. Workers now had more control over their schedules.
A company dinner no longer had as much influence over everyone's evening, and more individuals were choosing to decline invitations. The landscape of hoesik was evolving, giving employees more agency over their time and personal lives.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- The new 'hoesik' wears running shoes koreatimes.co.kr
