TRAVEL SPOTTING | The Soju Experience in Seoul

June 15, 2012



Author’s Note: This is a repost from my older blog. This post is to chronicle the day I took a bow (read: surrender) to Soju— Korea ’s popular drinking “buddy” while traveling in Seoul . I got knocked out and soon after that--- I was one “amnesia girl”. So besides makeup/ cosmetics shopping in Seoul, I will never forget the day I met "Soju".

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***Soju (Hangul 소주; Hanja 燒酒) is a distilled beverage native to Korea. Its taste is comparable to vodka, though often slightly sweeter due to sugars added in the manufacturing process. It is usually consumed neat.


I’ve been meaning for the longest time to write about my first Soju* experience. I traveled in Seoul back in June 2010. First of all, when I got caught by the travel bug in 2008, I was obsessing Seoul so one day I just applied a visa and boooom—got approved!

Come April, May and June was almost over which meant my visa was expiring—my Seoul-based friend Jeof (we used to work in the same company back then in Makati) was as if taunting me to fly over there, lol. So I did, and with such a heavy heart,  I paid a hefty price for my flight tickets which made me Php 17K poorer:(

So one summer night in Seoul , I was with my friend and we decided I must try Soju or my Korean trip would not be complete! Bear in mind that it was my first night in Korea so I was too happy to fully absorb its consequences. Right after dinner, we were watching TV and my friend opened one Soju bottle which we scored in one convenience store earlier. I was told it’s better I drink Coke or Sprite with it so I won’t feel the “kick” that soon!

So we were watching TV and talking at the same time and in between my Soju engagement, just right after my 2nd cup (1/4 soju, ¾ Coke), I felt that “kick” setting in. Moments later--- I had to say goodnight and that’s all I can remember.

Whether some 10,000 Korean men came to my room to take unflattering photos of one Pinay drunkie in Seoul —that I don’t have the slightest idea.

All I can remember was that I passed out and had a hard time remembering whether indeed 10,000 Korean men took my pictures or videos while babbling on the most stupid things. Or whether I sang like I own a karaoke place or dance like no one’s watching.

My friend was laughing the next day. Obviously I was clueless but assured me I was a good girl and never was a bad one after being knocked down. Goodness gracious! I hate you-- Soju, hahahaha!

The lesson is this: If you are like me who only drinks once in a blue moon, have a good friend come with you as you play neck to neck with the Soju. Otherwise, better drink Coke alone.

And if ever Soju knocks you out, okay—please don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

Gun Bae! (Translation: Cheers!)

Love,
Miss J

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