To Be Alone, Or Not To Be Alone
This week's topic harks back to one of my earliest posts where I present the unique culture of “Mukbangs” or Eating Rooms as Koreans watch streamers cook and eat online for companionship and entertainment.
South Korea's population is shrinking at an unprecedented pace. As of now, the statistic is 1.2 children per couple, meaning that the number of children is virtually halved with each successive generation. The large, communal-living style of traditional Korea as rapidly being replaced with individual isolation in tiny apartments.
- Source: Olive TV
This is all exacerbated by an overall Zeitgeist that is very independent, individualistic, and competitive. The “rat race” of schooling and job-chasing is fostering a mindset where everyone is off to fend for themselves, no matter the strength of their interpersonal relationships. Unfortunately, we're witnessing a structured attack on Korea's social fabric.
This in conjunction with the technological outburst of the last several decades has given rise to a very individual way of living. What once used to be inherently group activities – meals, drinking, even karaoke - are transitioning to a 1-person-centric event. More and more people eat alone, drink alone, and sing alone.
Putting Words to a Problem
This has created a new “term” in how we describe our activities alone - “Hon” (혼) means alone and it is combined with words like “Bab” (밥 = food) and “Sool” (술 = alcoholic drink) to make the phrases Honbab/혼밥 and Honsool/혼술, to eat along and drink alone.
:'(
- Korean BBQ for a single person only restaurant. Source: money today, MTNews
These phrases have become more common in Korea, “I'm going to Honbab tonight” for example, as common slang. A shrinking Korea means smaller social circles, more isolated living, a generational shift from big shared tables to individual stalls.
So next time a Korean friend or co-worker says they're just going home to eat or drink alone, persuade him/her with confidence - “Hey buddy, don't Honbab/Honsool tonight! Let's go out together.” I wish I could be there to see the expression on their face......
외국권에 한국 문화/신조어를 소개하는 "한스팟" 팟캐스트 에피소드 6: 한국의 혼밥, 혼술 등의 단어를 통해 한국 젊은이들의 "혼자" 라이프스타일과 왜 이런 문화가 생기는지를 소개했습니다.
위에 사운드 파일 링크를 클릭하시면 한식하우스가 혼밥을 설명하는 (영어) 팟케스트를 들으실 수 있습니다. 함께 스팀 합시다! Don't 혼스팀!
Steem on, together! Don't HonSteem
Previous HanSpot Episodes-
신조어를 통해 외국에 한국 문화를 소개하는 한스팟! 지난 글들을 여기서 보실 수 있습니다:
Episode 1: 꼰대: Kkondae // The Korean Curmudgeon
Episode 2: 성괴: Seonggwe // Plastic Monsters
Episode 3: 깡패: Kkangpeh // Korean Gangsterisms
Episode 4: 듣보잡: Name Value
Episode 5: 팩트폭행: Fact Violence
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