In Korea, drinking soju is not simply about consuming alcohol. Every gesture of pouring and receiving a drink carries consideration and respect. This etiquette extends naturally into Korean table manners and daily social behavior. Through sharing a drink, we learn how to respect one another-and sometimes we even see a glimpse of someone’s personality or social attitude.
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The color of soju bottles has an interesting backstory. Glass bottles can naturally take on a bluish tint due to the iron content in the glass during manufacturing, unless specific coloring processes are used. In 1993, a soju brand called Green Soju deliberately used green bottles to symbolize cleanliness and purity. As the brand gained popularity, other soju manufacturers followed suit, making green bottles the go-to packaging for soju.* Over time, consumers began associating the green bottle with soju itself
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In Korea, the type of soju one drinks often reflects their province. The 1970s “One Brewery per Province” policy restricted competition, and despite its abolition in 1988, regional loyalty and logistical factors have kept local brands strong. When traveling in Korea, try tasting soju from different regions-you’ll discover a unique kind of enjoyment.
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Soju ads often feature top female celebrities, but this wasn’t always the case. In the past, when soju had over 30% ABV, male actors like Noh Joo-hyun and Baek Il-seop promoted a rugged, masculine image focused on “drinking after a hard day’s work.” This changed in the late 1990s as lighter soju (around 23% ABV) gained popularity. Marketing shifted to appeal to a broader audience, with young female stars like Lee Young-ae, Kim Taehee, IU, Irene, Lee Hyori, Suzy, and Jennie becoming the new faces of soju.
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Soju normally isn’t a drink you enjoy alone, unlike whiskey, wine, or beer. To fully appreciate soju, the setting and tools matter just as much as the drink itself. It’s almost always paired with anju (안주) and typically consumed while seat ed at a table. Standing while drinking or placing the bottle on the floor is uncommon, except at casual gatherings like MT (membership training), a type of group retreat popular among students and coworkers. In most cases, a proper table setup is preferred
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Among the advanced techniques for opening a soju bottle cap is the X-shaped twist. This flashy move can quickly enhance the atmosphere at any drinking party. The swift and large motion draws attention easily, but be cautious as the cap could open while the bottle is momentarily upside down, spilling soju. This technique is typically used at the beginning of a drinking session, making it a perfect way to capture everyone’s attention with the first bottle. It’s recommended to practice this high-level technique in advance.
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When drinking with someone older, it’s polite to turn your head to the left or right instead of drinking directly in front of them. If there are elders on both sides, turn toward the one with slightly less seniority. Once the elder says you can drink comfortably, you don’t need to turn your head anymore and can drink freely.
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Friends sit in a circle and stack their hands like apartment floors while chanting “APT.” The host then calls out a floor number, and starting from the bottom, players move their hands one by one to the top. Whoever’s hand reaches the top position on the called floor must drink or face a penalty.The game went viral worldwide after BLACKPINK’s Rosé mentioned it in her collab song APT. with Bruno Mars, inspiring fans to try it on social media.
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The global hit Squid Game (2021) also includes a memorable soju moment. Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) drinks straight soju from a plastic cup outside a convenience store, reflecting his struggles. Oh Il-nam (Oh Young-soo) later joins him, and they share uncooked ramen as anju.This scene captures what gang soju represents in Korea: hardship and an unfiltered glimpse of life