The most popular liquor in the world is Jinro soju. This South Korean brand is at the top because of their domestic popularity, and along with all those drinks, Koreans have come up with a ton of drinking games - you know, for bonding.
Some of the most fun Korean drinking games include the classic Soju bottle cap flick, and the fast-paced & competitive Nunchi. So grab your favorite flavor of soju or soju cocktail and get ready for a night of friendly competition with these popular Korean drinking games. I've also noted the ideal number of players per game.
Jump To
Korean Drinking Culture
Before diving into the world of Korean drinking games, it's important to understand the culture from which it's borne. Drinking is a major part of Korean social culture, and is often used to build relationships and strengthen bonds.
Koreans actively use alcohol to socialize both at work and with friends, and have developed many drinking games to facilitate that. The most popular drink in Korea is soju, a distilled rice liquor with a taste between sake and vodka, whose unique bottles are a requirement for many of the games below.
There's even a ritual that Koreans do prior to drinking soju - swirl and shake the bottle in a circular motion before opening it. This creates what a sort of "tornado" inside the bottle. Some Koreans believe it helps soften the liquor's taste, while others claim it helps evenly distribute the sediment that settles at the bottom.
Another popular drink in Korea is makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine. Makgeolli is often served in a large bowl and shared among friends using small copper pots. It has a unique, slightly sweet taste and is often paired with Korean drinking snacks known collectively as anju.
Drinking in Korea with locals is accompanied by a specific set of rules and etiquette. For example, it's considered polite to pour drinks for others when you open a bottle, and to never pour your own drink.
It's also important to use both hands when pouring and receiving drinks, as a sign of respect, and take a sip before setting your glass down. When drinking with those older than you, it's also respectful to turn in the opposite direction from them when taking a shot.
Titanic
Number of Players: 4+
Titanic is a fun Korean drinking game inspired by the movie of the same name. To play this game, all you need a large glass and a smaller shot glass (the larger glass represents the ship, and the smaller glass represents the iceberg).
Put the shot glass into the large glass. Players take turns pouring a small amount of their drink into the larger ship glass, avoiding getting it into the shot glass. Whenever someone pours enough to make the shot glass (iceberg) start to float, they must drink the entire contents of the ship glass.
However, the game doesn't end there. The person who drank from the ship glass must then choose a category, such as types of cars or countries, and the game continues with players taking turns naming items in that category. The first person who can't come up with an answer must take a penalty drink.
This game is a great low-stakes way to get everyone involved and thinking creatively, and it can be played with any type of beverage.
The Name Game
Number of Players: 4+
The Name Game is a popular Korean drinking game that's both easy to play and requires no special equipment. All players start off sitting in a circle, and the first player says a celebrity's name.
The next player must then say another celebrity name that starts with the last letter of the previous celebrity's name. For example, if the first player says "Tom Cruise," the next player could say "Emma Watson," since it starts with an 'n.'
The game continues around the circle until someone can't think of a name or repeats a name that has already been said. When a player messes up, they must drink (or take a shot; house rules) and the game starts again with a new celebrity name.
To make the game more challenging, players can add a rule that requires the name to be from a certain category, such as movies, K-dramas, or sports. The Name Game is usually used in Korea as an icebreaker for parties or staff gatherings, since it can be played in large numbers.
Nunchi
Number of Players: 4+
Nunchi is a popular Korean drinking game that tests players' ability to detect others' feelings and actions. The game is named after a Korean word for that innate ability to 'read the room,' or the skill of appraising others' emotions and body language. Its meaning is best illustrated in one of my favorite Korean songs.
It's a fun game to play with friends and can be enjoyed with any type of alcohol or other beverage (my elementary students even played it, sometimes). To play Nunchi, players sit in a circle and randomly count up from 1 out loud.
However, only one player at a time can speak, and if two people go for the same number and interrupt each other, they have to start over from 1. The game is won when the group successfully counts up to 21 without any interruptions. To make the game more challenging, players can introduce a penalty system.
For example, if a player interrupts another player, they have to take a shot or drink a certain amount of their drink. Alternatively, you can add a rule that players have to use a certain word or phrase when it's their turn to count.
However you play it, Nunchi is a fun and challenging drinking game that requires players to pay close attention to their surroundings and their friends' actions. It's a great Korean drinking game to play at home or in a restaurant with a group of friends!
Flick the Cap
Number of Players: 2+
Flick the Cap is a popular drinking game in Korea that requires a soju bottle cap (any soju brand will work). It's super simple and can be played by anyone, making it a great starter game for a fun night out or at home. Here's how to play:
- Take a soju bottle cap off the bottle, trying not to break the long attached metal part.
- Straighten that loose metal part without pulling it off the cap (or else the game can't be played).
- Flick the dangling piece with your finger and pass the cap around the table.
- Each player takes a turn flicking the cap until someone breaks it.
- Whoever flicks it off makes everyone else drink.
The game is simple, and most young Koreans will try to get you to play it with every new bottle of soju early on in the night. It's easy, but it can get competitive quickly. Players will try to flick the cap with different techniques, such as using their index finger or flicking it with their thumb.
The key is to aim for the right spot and flick with the right amount of force so that you can get whomever you'd like to be the one to drink. Flick the Cap is a classic Korean drinking game that's great to break the ice and get the party started, but keep in mind that soju is stronger than it seems!
Baskin Robbins 31
Number of Players: 2+
Baskin Robbins 31 is a popular Korean drinking game that originated in the schoolyard. It's a counting game that involves a group of players sitting in a circle and taking turns to call out numbers in an ascending order; I used to have my students play it to practice their counting.
The objective of the game is to avoid being the person who says the number 31. Here are the basic instructions for playing Baskin Robbins 31:
- The first player always starts by saying the number 1.
- The next player then says the next number in the sequence, which is 2.
- Players then take turns to call out one, two, or three numbers in an ascending order (so player two has to say 2, but they could also say 3 and/or 4).
- The game continues until someone is forced to say the number 31.
- The player who says 31 must take a drink.
It's important to note that players cannot skip a number or call out a number that's already been said. If a player makes a mistake, they must take a drink and start again from the beginning. Baskin Robbins 31 is a fun and challenging game that requires quick thinking and strategy, so it's great to play with a group of friends or coworkers.
Fruit Salad
Number of Players: 3+
Fruit Salad is a fast-paced and exciting game that involves quick thinking and coordination, and requires no equipment. Here's how to play:
- One player starts the game by saying "fruit salad."
- The player to their left must say "fruit salad" and then add a fruit name, such as "apple."
- The next player must say "fruit salad" and add the previous fruit name plus a new one, such as "apple, banana."
- The game continues in this way, with each player adding a new fruit name to the list, not necessarily in alphabetical order.
- If a player hesitates, repeats a fruit name, says fruits in the wrong order, or says the wrong fruit name, they must drink.
- The game continues until someone makes a mistake or can't keep up with the pace.
Fruit Salad is a fun and challenging game that requires quick-thinking and coordination, so it's perfect for a group of friends who want to add some excitement to their drinking session or night out.
Baskin Robbins 31 with a Twist
Number of Players: 3+
If you're looking for a more challenging version of the classic Baskin Robbins 31 game, then this twist is perfect for you. The rules are the same as the original game (see above), but with a twist. Instead of counting from 1 to 31, players must count down from 31 to 1.
Players can say one, two, or three numbers in sequence, but the order must be reversed. For example, the first player can say "31," or "31, 30," or "31, 30, 29." The next player must then say the next one, two, or three numbers in reverse order, such as "28, 27, 26."
The game continues until someone gets stuck with the number 1. The player who says "1" must drink. This game requires more concentration and quick thinking than the original, so be prepared for a challenge.
To make the game even more interesting, players can require themselves to say a word or phrase before saying their numbers. For example, players can say "Korea is great" before saying their numbers. If a player forgets to say the phrase, they must drink, and start all over again.
Korean Poker
Number of Players: 3+
Korean Poker, also known as sutda, is a popular South Korean drinking game that's easy to learn and play. The game is played with a deck of cards with all jokers & face cards removed, and the objective of the game is to have the highest score at the end of the round.
To play Korean Poker, each player is dealt three cards face down. The remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the table. The first player can either choose to draw a card from the pile or pass. If the player chooses to draw a card, they must replace one of their cards with the drawn card.
If they pass, the next player has the option to draw a card or pass. This continues until all players have either drawn a card or passed, then each player reveals their cards. The player with the highest score wins the round. The score is determined by adding the values of the two highest cards.
If a player has two cards with the same value, they can add the value of the third card to their score. If a player has three cards with the same value, they automatically win the round. If two or more players have the same score, the player with the highest single card wins.
If two or more players have the same score and the same highest single card, the player with the second-highest single card wins. If there is still a tie, the players split the round and must both drink. Give it a try and see who comes out on top!
Last Man Standing
Number of Players: 3+
Last Man Standing is a super simple Korean drinking game that requires quick reflexes and a good memory. This game can be played with any number of players. To start, all players sit around a table and place a cup in the center of the table.
The first player starts by saying a random number, and the next player must say the next number in sequence. This continues until someone messes up the sequence, at which point they must drink from the cup in the center of the table.
The game continues in this manner, with players taking turns saying numbers; the penalty for messing up is to drink from the cup. The last person remaining is the winner and gets to choose the next game. A variation of this game involves using a deck of cards instead of numbers.
In this version, players take turns saying the name of a card, starting with Ace and working their way up to King. The penalty for messing up is the same, and the last person standing wins and picks what the group plays next.
Flip Cup
Number of Players: 4+ (even numbers)
Flip Cup is a popular drinking game that is not only played in Korea but also in other parts of the world. This game is perfect for large groups of people and can be played both indoors and outdoors, but not so much in restaurants. Here are the basic instructions for playing Flip Cup:
- Divide players into two teams and line them up on opposite sides of a table.
- Each player should have a cup filled with beer or any other drink of their choice.
- The first player from each team should chug their drink and then place the cup upside down on the edge of the table, with just a bit of the cup hanging off.
- Using only one hand, the player should then try to flip the cup so that it lands right side up on the table.
- Once the first player successfully flips their cup, the next player in line can start chugging their drink and flipping their cup; both teams are working on this 'challenge' concurrently.
- The first team to successfully flip all of their cups wins the game.
Flip Cup is a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes and a steady hand. It's a great way to get the party started and to break the ice with new friends, but it can get people buzzed very quickly, so drink responsibly.
Thumper
Number of Players: 5+
Thumper is a high-energy drinking game that requires at least five players, but ideally, it's best to play with eight or more people. The game is played on a surface, usually a table, and all players must have their beverage of choice ready.
To start the game, each player must come up with a unique hand sign that they will use throughout the game. The signs can be anything, from simple hand gestures to elaborate handshakes. Once everyone has their sign, the game can begin.
The first player starts by pounding the table twice and then doing their hand sign. The player to their left must then pound the table twice, do their own hand sign, and then do the first player's hand sign. This pattern continues around the table, with each player adding their own sign and repeating all the previous signs in order.
If a player messes up the pattern or forgets to do a sign, they must take a drink. The game continues until someone messes up and cannot keep up with the pattern. That player is then eliminated, and the game continues until only one person is left.
Thumper is a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes and a good memory, so it's a great way to get everyone involved and have some fun while drinking. So gather your friends and give Thumper a try at your next party!
The Tower Game
Number of Players: 4+
The Tower Game is a popular Korean drinking game that requires a steady hand and a bit of strategy. It's a great game to play with a group of friends, and it's easy to learn; you'll just need a set of Jenga blocks or similar small wooden blocks. Here's how to play:
- Start by setting up the tower of blocks on a flat surface, with three blocks placed side by side in each layer, alternating the direction of the blocks with each layer (regular Jenga style).
- Players take turns removing one block from any layer of the tower, except for the top layer, and placing it on top of the tower.
- If the tower falls while a player is removing a block or placing it on top, that player has to take a drink.
- If a player successfully removes a block and places it on top without causing the tower to fall, they can choose another player to take a sip of their drink.
- The game continues until the tower falls, at which point the player who caused the tower to fall has to completely finish their drink.
The Tower Game is a fun and challenging drinking game that requires a steady hand and a bit of luck. It's a great way to liven up any party or gathering, and as long as your drinks aren't too strong, you can play it for hours.
Korean Roulette
Number of Players: 2+
Korean Roulette is a fun and exciting drinking game that can be played with any number of players. Here's how to play:
- Players sit in a circle and take turns spinning a bottle or other object in the center of the circle.
- When the bottle stops spinning, the person it's pointing at must choose between two shot glasses, one of which is filled with alcohol and the other with water.
- If the person chooses the shot glass with alcohol, they must drink it.
- If the person chooses the shot glass with water, they are safe for that round.
- The game continues until all shot glasses with alcohol have been emptied, and the last person standing wins.
Relay Drinking
Number of Players: 4+ (even numbers)
Relay Drinking is a fun and fast-paced game that is perfect for larger groups. To play this game, you will need at least four people, but the more, the merrier. The goal of the game is to be the first team to finish their drinks, and pass the previous player's empty cup to the next person in line.
To set up the game, divide the group into two teams and have each team stand in a line. Each person in each line needs to have a cup filled with their drink of choice. When the game begins, the first person in each line must chug their drink as fast as possible, and then pass their cup to the next person in line.
The second person must then chug their drink and pass their cup to the third person, and so on. The catch is that the cup cannot be passed until the previous person has finished their drink and put their empty cup down on the table.
If a team member spills their drink or drops the cup, they must start over from the beginning with a full cup. The first team to finish their drinks and pass the empty cup to the end of the line wins the game. Relay Drinking is a great game to get everyone involved and keep the energy high.
Beer Pong
Number of Players: 4+ (even numbers)
Beer Pong is a classic drinking game that's become popular all over the world. To play, you need 20 red solo cups, an eight-foot long rectangular table, two ping pong balls, and beer (preferably not your finest craft brew, because there's chugging involved). Here are the basic instructions for playing Beer Pong:
- Pick teams; usually Beer Pong is played with 2 teams of 2, but you can have as many people on a team as you'd like.
- Arrange the cups. Each team should set up 10 cups in a triangle formation at their end of the table. Fill each of the cups with beer.
- Decide who goes first; this can be done by flipping a coin or playing rock-paper-scissors.
- Start playing: the first team takes turns trying to throw a ping pong ball into one of the other team's cups. If they succeed, the other team must drink the beer from that cup and remove it from the table. If they miss, the ball is returned to the other team, and they take their turn.
- The game is won when one team successfully eliminates all of the other team's cups.
Beer Pong is a fun game to play with friends, but it's important to drink responsibly; if playing in teams of two, that much beer can get to be a lot.
Comments
No Comments