Very soon upon arriving in South Korea I learned of the most evil substance know to man: soju. This intoxicating liquid lures you in with its speciously cheap price and dismissive green bottle, but be aware that this shit will straight put you on your ass. Soju is a intoxicating beverage that is consumed ubiquitously around South Korea, and with out limits I might add. The cheap price, around 1$ USD, and high alcohol content make it a booze that is very high in demand in South Korea. That demand has started to extend beyond the South Korean borders and now soju is being exported to over 80 different nations. The alcohol content is typically between 16%-25% ABV but depending on the region of production can be as high as 45%. The taste is similar to vodka, but I think its more closely related to rubbing alcohol with a few sprinkles of sugar put in to intensify your post-boozing hangover. The most unique quality about soju is its magical ability to give you the worst hang over on the fucking planet, compliments of its single distillation process.
In South Korea, Saturday morning is usually very rough. Koreans party very hard and without inhibition. The idea of partying all night from dusk ’til dawn is not unheard of, and in many cases more the norm then the exception. This is common of all ages, both young and old. The main course that is dinnered upon is typically soju. Since I am a firm believer and practitioner of cultural assimilation, I too must partake in the festivity that is soju. Week after week, I always have hangovers and not just the small headache and slight nausea, I am talking full blow gut-wrenching, mind-pounding, I-have-to-move-constantly-or-I-will-barf hangovers that corrupt your soul for two days. Hell maybe I am just getting old. Nonetheless, my soju hangovers are so much more powerful and debilitating then all other alcoholic beverages and I wanted to know why! I came to learn that the typical bottle of green death is only distilled once, has been infused with copious amounts of sugar, and has had reports of residue from petroleum products. Strangely enough, South Koreans have an extremely high rate of stomach cancer and I do wonder if the latter of soju’s contents play a roll in cancer rates, eh food for thought. I have stayed away from the green death for quite some time now and am much happier for it, but I do love force pouring it to the newbie teachers who join our small, quaint social group in Seoul. It is a firm tradition that I hope is passed on even after I depart this land.
Although soju is the devil, it has also played a huge role in starting and keeping bonds between Koreans and me. There is a strong formal Korean tradition based around soju and when you, even as a foreigner, follow protocol down to the tee the locals will love you. The idea of jeong, or strong friendship bonds, are created over bottles of soju and I am happy and proud to say I have jeong all over this city and country. Between the pre-hangover party, the hangover, and the post-hangover purge, magic seems to happen. When friends or strangers gets together and commit to a bottle of soju, well its usually many, many bottles, everyone is fully aware that in the morning Death will come to collect his reward. In the end, it is the consensual pact and struggle that all the partakers make and oblige to when consuming soju that creates the bond and camaraderie. I must say that Korea gives you many chances to solidify those strong bonds with some Green Death.
Soju: cheap hell in a bottle is a post from: EARTH EXCURSION