The Most Popular Korean Drinking Games of 2024 – Featuring the Apartment Game(APT Game)
What Are Drinking Games and Why Are They So Popular in Korea?
Drinking games are social activities where participants play simple, often competitive, games while consuming alcohol. The rules are designed so that players either win or lose, and losing usually results in taking a drink. These games are meant to add fun and excitement to social gatherings, breaking the ice and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
In Korea, drinking games are extremely popular for several reasons:
- Strong Social Drinking Culture:
Drinking is a big part of Korean social life, especially in gatherings with friends, colleagues, and even family. These games make the experience more enjoyable by creating a playful and relaxed atmosphere. - Bonding and Team Building:
Drinking games help strengthen bonds between people. Whether it’s a night out with coworkers or a party with friends, these games encourage interaction and laughter, helping people connect and build relationships. - Breaking Formal Barriers:
Korean culture can be formal, especially in work-related settings. Drinking games provide a fun way to break down those formalities and allow everyone to let loose, no matter their rank or status. - Simplicity and Fun:
Most Korean drinking games are easy to learn and play. They don’t require special materials, and the rules are usually straightforward. This makes them accessible and fun for everyone, even those who aren’t familiar with the local culture. - Competition and Laughter:
Many games involve light-hearted competition, which adds excitement to the gathering. They often result in funny moments, making the group laugh and creating lasting memories.
Overall, drinking games are a fun, social tradition in Korea that brings people together, breaks the ice, and ensures that every gathering is full of laughter and camaraderie.
Actually, there are so many drinking games in Korea.
In Korean drinking culture, especially at gatherings like MT, the first person to start the game often gets to choose which game to play. This chant, “채영이가 좋아하는 랜덤 게임, 게임 스타트” (which means “Chaeyoung’s favorite random game, game start”), is a playful way to kick off the game, giving the person a moment of recognition before starting. It’s a fun tradition that adds an element of surprise and excitement to the drinking games, and it also encourages participation and engagement from the group.
1. Apartment Game(APT Game)
How to Play:
- Set the Rhythm:
- All players sit in a circle and start by clapping their hands in a steady rhythm. The rhythm is usually a simple 1-2 beat: clap-clap.
- First Player Starts:
- The first player starts by clapping twice and saying “1층!” (1st floor).
- Then the next player follows in rhythm by clapping twice and saying “2층!” (2nd floor).
- This continues with each player saying the next floor number (3층, 4층, etc.) while clapping in rhythm.
- Special Rule: Double Clap on Multiples of 5:
- When a player reaches a multiple of 5 (such as 5층, 10층, 15층), they must clap twice without saying the number, and then the next person continues by saying the next number.
- For example:
- Player 1: “1층!”
- Player 2: “2층!”
- …
- Player 5: Clap clap (no words), Player 6: “6층!”
- Make a Mistake, You Drink:
- If a player messes up by either:
- Clapping off-beat,
- Saying the wrong number,
- Failing to clap instead of saying the number on a multiple of 5,
- That player has to drink.
- If a player messes up by either:
- Speeding Up:
- As the game progresses, players tend to speed up, making it more challenging to keep track of the floor numbers and stay on beat. The faster the game gets, the more likely someone will make a mistake!
- Restart:
- After a mistake is made and the player drinks, the game resets, and the counting starts again from the 1st floor.
Why It’s Fun:
- Easy to Learn: The rules are simple, so it’s great for new players or people who have never played Korean drinking games before.
- Rhythm-Based Challenge: The rhythmic clapping adds a fun twist, making it both a physical and mental challenge to stay in sync.
- Progressive Difficulty: The game gets harder as the numbers climb higher, especially when players get distracted or tipsy.
- Group Engagement: Everyone in the group stays engaged because the game moves quickly, and it’s funny to see people make mistakes.
The Apartment Game is a perfect way to get everyone laughing and having fun, especially as the game speeds up and mistakes become inevitable!
| APT Game chant |
2. Titanic (타이타닉)
How to Play:
- Fill a large glass with beer about halfway and float a small shot glass on top.
- Players take turns pouring soju into the floating shot glass.
- The person who causes the shot glass to sink must drink the entire mixture.
Why It’s Popular:
- The game combines suspense and luck. As the glass fills, everyone holds their breath, hoping it doesn’t sink during their turn. It’s simple but creates excitement and tension.
3. Baskin Robbins 31 (배스킨라빈스 31)
How to Play:
- Players take turns saying one, two, or three consecutive numbers, counting from 1 to 31.
- The person forced to say “31” loses and must drink.
Why It’s Popular:
- It’s a great game of strategy and timing. Players try to avoid being the one stuck saying “31,” which leads to a lot of strategic thinking, laughter, and sometimes a bit of betrayal!
4. 007 Bang (007빵)
How to Play:
- One player starts by pointing at another and says “0,” the next player points and says “0,” and the third points and says “7.”
- The fourth player must shout “Bang!” while pointing at another, who must raise their hands.
- If someone reacts too slowly or incorrectly, they drink.
Why It’s Popular:
- It’s fast-paced and tests players’ reflexes. The anticipation of making a mistake under pressure leads to hilarious reactions.
5. Cham Cham Cham (참참참)
How to Play:
- One player says “참참참!” and points their finger in a direction (left or right), while the opponent must turn their head in the opposite direction.
- If the opponent turns in the same direction as the hand points, they lose and drink.
Why It’s Popular:
- This quick reaction game adds a layer of humor because it’s so easy to mess up. It’s simple but becomes funnier with each round, especially after a few drinks!
Youtube Links
In Korea, there are countless drinking games, and they started becoming popular at university membership training (MT) events as a way for freshmen to easily bond with others.
MT (Membership Training) is a common tradition in Korean universities where students, especially freshmen, go on a group trip with their classmates or club members. The purpose is to bond, build friendships, and strengthen teamwork through various activities, games, and socializing, often including drinking games. These trips usually take place over a weekend at a retreat or cabin, and they’re known for helping students get to know each other better in a fun, informal setting.
