Hoesik (회식)

Hoesik (회식) combines two Sino-Korean characters: hoe (會), meaning gathering or assembly, and sik (食), meaning food or meal. The compound translates literally as "gathering meal" or "dining assembly." Its roots trace to the Joseon dynasty (1392 to 1910), where gatherings called hoemin brought the king and his officials together for feasts after extended sessions of political affairs. The purpose was to reconcile subordinates holding different political positions and to reinforce collective loyalty to the crown.

In modern South Korean workplaces, hoesik refers to after-work group dinners, typically organized by a manager or team leader and paid for by the company. The meals usually center on shared dishes, often Korean barbecue or grilled meat, accompanied by soju or beer. Attendance is technically voluntary but widely understood as an extension of work itself, a space where hierarchies are reinforced through specific rituals. Junior employees pour drinks for seniors, receive drinks with both hands, and wait for superiors to begin eating. Declining or leaving early risks being perceived as uncommitted to the team.

The tradition typically unfolds in multiple rounds, called cha (차). The first round is dinner, the second round moves to a bar, and a third round often ends at a noraebang, a private karaoke room. South Korean workers averaged 1,901 hours annually as of 2023, exceeding the OECD average of 1,716 hours, and hoesik extends the workday into what other cultures would consider personal time.

Following the 2017 Me Too movement in Korea and the implementation of the 52-hour workweek system, the culture has begun to shift. Some companies and public organizations have moved to reduce mandatory hoesik or replace drinking-centered gatherings with alternative activities such as bowling or movies. Younger workers, particularly in the generations shaped by changing labor attitudes, have pushed back more openly against the expectation of compulsory attendance.