Rule #1:
SOJU
In Korea, while whiskey and beer are popular, the “national drink” is soju- a distilled beverage traditionally made from rice, but often from potato, wheat, tapioca, or barley.

Soju has a taste that’s similar to vodka but slightly sweeter, due to natural sugars that occur in the distilling. It can pack a punch, too- soju is usually between 20% and 45% alcohol (40-90 proof), and is sipped from shot glasses (although, when someone calls “one shot”, it’s time to down it all in one gulp).

In 2004, in Korea alone over three billion bottles of soju were consumed- this adds up to an average of 90 bottles of soju consumed for everyone over 20! The most popular brand, Jinro, is the top-selling brand of liquor in the world.