Lead by Michelle Kim // Drinking Solo Episode 1
Episode 1 Synopsis:
We are introduced to Jung-suk (aka “Quality Trash”), who is as famous for being rude as he is for being a high quality academy teacher and Ha-na (“aka No Geu Rae”) who is both an optimistic pushover and mediocre Korean academy teacher. Struggling through financing her family’s bankruptcy problems and the closure of the academy she works at, she ends up teaching at a large academy in Noryangjin, Seoul. She tries her best at her new job but makes many mistakes and is easily looked down upon by Jung-suk. We see 3 different drinking contexts; amongst academy teachers who are struggling through life, one amongst students who are mourning the failure of another round of exams and Jung-suk who enjoys drinking solo. Drinking is portrayed as a time of stress relief, self-comfort and socializing. The episode ends with Ha-na reading an article accusing Jung-suk of faking his school credentials.
Discussion Post:
Having aired in 2016 “Drinking solo” shows us how relevant and still current the pursuit of a stable job is, especially for young people in Korea where the competition is fierce. We are introduced to characters who are studying for the civil service exam in hopes of a brighter future. But what exactly is the Civil Service exam? Basically, it’s the standard procedure Korea’s government uses to certify citizens who can apply for stable and highly respected government jobs. As the civil servant exam is open for all people regardless of background, it is naturally a very desirable exam to even die for as success brings you an almost guaranteed job that your (possibly mediocre) background might otherwise not allow. You can learn more about the civil service exam here http://www.dramasrok.com/2016/04/korean-civil-servants-exam/. This article also mentions Noryangjin as a central hub for Hagwons or academies, which is probably why this drama was set in this particular neighbourhood.
Seeing the “3 musketeers” argue with the drunk man at the grill place made it evident that the hierarchy of social acceptability is as follows, from most acceptable to least: studying for the civil service exam is better than being a part-timer is better than being jobless. Seeing how Gong-myung was looked down on for being baeksoo (unemployed) it seems honorable for a student to be studying for the civil service exam in comparison. I think this shows that one of the major aspects of Korean culture is status in relation to others in society. In class we talked about how people who have met you for the first time still ask for your age and even what your parents occupation is. It allows the other to judge where they stand in social status in comparison to you and allows them rights to authority over you. This is even integrated in the Korean language, which has words for senior (Sunbae) and junior (Hoobae), and separate titles for all different job positions which, when used, immediately exhibits one’s place in society.
Questions:
- What other ways in the first episode did you see the effects of hierarchy play out in determining social status or rights to authority over someone else? Were they positive or negative experiences for the characters?
- What was your first reaction to the civil service exam? Do you think this is a fair way to government positions?
- If you had to use honorifics and titles like Sunbae, how would that change your relationship with the people that you know currently?
Cute observations:
It’s interesting to note that the episodes always seem to start with Jin-suk out on one of his solo drinking outings and listing the criteria for what makes solo drinking enjoyable. I found it funny that his name, Jung-suk in Korean actually carries the meaning of “normal” or “standard”, which definitely doesn’t represent his unique routine of drinking solo which seems uncommon and laughable in Korean culture.
Also I’m probably not the only one who’s wondering why Jung-suk drinks by himself, which seems to be the mystery that will be unveiled throughout the drama. It seems that he drinks solo to protect himself from past bad experiences with people and with drinking (any other theories you thought of?). If I can bring up another minor theme of Korean culture, it’s that sufferings should be kept to yourself and not shared. Maybe this is why No geu rae talks to the Samsung siri on her phone instead of a real person. Which made me wonder why she doesn’t seem to have any close friends to talk to…?
Lastly… was I the only one who started craving a cold beer after the episode?
Drinking Solo 
Hierarchy was emphasized greatly within their office space. The main indicator was Jung-suk’s personal and obviously isolated office where it was filled with luxury goods (the massage chair). Another main indicator is Jung-suk’s awareness to his high status and reputation. Being humble and modest is not his strength for over half the drama and makes his wants and needs very clear. He asserts his authority over everyone (including the Director who is technically higher than him in a workplace setting, but because the Director wants to keep him employed there – to the extent that teachers are fired-, he obliges to all his requests). For sure it’s a negative experience for the characters, especially his co-workers who have to walk on egg-shells to around him when they are technically sunbaes (but are ‘lower’ based on credentials and reputation).
When the civil service exam was introduced in the drama, I automatically wondered if it’s actually necessary. Based on what I’ve heard, standardized testing is an unfair way to evaluate someone’s skills. Being in the field is much different than writing on paper. There is so much more to a job than what was on the exam. In that case, no I don’t believe it’s fair.
I feel like honorifics and titles in a workplace ensure people not to forget that they’re above or below you. It kind of makes it seem that your relationship will only be one in the workplace (the characters call the Director ‘Director’ even outside of the office), or that relationships will always have hierarchy. Might imply it would be difficult to form a relationship with them outside of a work setting (and that’s fine too). For me, it might get confusing to divide the line where I would be considered higher or lower. For example, I train people at my part-time job. At one point, I was the youngest trainer and I’d often train people older than me. In that case, I’d be a sunbae for being with the company for longer, but also hoobae because I’m younger. Obviously, I expect people to take my advice seriously because of my experience, but also I don’t expect people to be super formal with me because (at one point) I was on the younger end of the age spectrum. To sum up, the line can be blurred and people would probably find it hard to adapt BECAUSE of the multiple scenarios where honorifics would come to play.
Sidenote: I think it’s totally fine that Jung-suk drinks alone! He’s just an introvert (with a bit of a betrayal story) and people tend to be judgmental. Regarding the point about personal suffering and Ha-na’s phone consulting, I think she’s just lonely (to the extent that it’s dramatized for humour). It doesn’t seem that she (or any of the teachers) have many friends and could be a jab at reality and the increasing problem of loneliness and isolation. But who knows…
LikeLike
Hi Morgan, you made some really good points! And I agree that using the civil service exam isn’t the perfect way to pick people for these jobs. But if we think about people who haven’t come from a great school because of reasons like Ha-na’s, it’s a great opportunity for them. I think it’s come up in some other dramas too, but when handing in resumes in Korea, including a picture of your face is usually required. It’s obvious that companies will also consider how you look when reading your resume, which makes it even more unfair for people who don’t measure up to Korea’s beauty standards.
I agree with how using hierarchical terms to address people will make relationships with people different! From personal experience, there’s such a huge gap between people that are younger, older and the same as me. Using formal language with people who are older than me is a lot of stress, and something that took a lot of time to get used to!
LikeLike
Hierarchy plays great role in determining one’s ranking and behavior to another. For instance, the academy’s head teacher asserts his superiority over his subordinate teachers. He rips off the advertisement of Jin-yi without talking to her. Also during hoesik, Ha-na and Jin-yi make poktan-ju and dance, all to “brighten-up” his mood. Although Jung-suk is officially ranked under the head teacher, he acts free from making such flattery, as the head teacher seems fine as long as Jung-suk stays in his academy. Having a better스펙(spec) or qualification can make one to look down on another who doesn’t. Jung-suk, who graduated from Korea’s top university and is a top-teacher, talks ill of Ha-na’s less reputable university and experience without hesitation.
It’s fair because especially in Korea, the discrimination towards reputable and non-reputable colleges is extreme. You are often viewed as a loser if you don’t attend a reputable 4-year university. This statistic, moreover, implies that having a wealthy background makes it easier for you to enter a top school: http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/735461.html So this exam can give students with lacking background or poor degree a chance to move up in social ranking.
As a Korean, sometimes I find it stressed when I have to use honorifics to Korean sunbae, unni, or oppa, because I feel like I have to be cautious to “not cross the line” as a dongsaeng. Of course being polite is important, but sometimes this makes me feel less intimate with people. A good thing about not having to use honorifics to non-Korean friends or superiors is I feel I can express my opinion more directly.
LikeLike
Hi Yein, I had a lot of the same thoughts! The way Jung-suk keeps looking down on Ha-na for her low ranking school is getting super annoying. If hierarchy didn’t matter I’m sure Ha-na would’ve been able to say something back, but as we see in the drama, lower ranking workers aren’t allowed to speak their minds much.
In regards to using honorifics, do you find that there are some instances where having hierarchy is actually beneficial to have?
LikeLike
I agree Jung-suk’s attitude is annoying, but I feel that a LARGE part of it is exaggerated for the sake of the drama. It’s a bit challenging trying to differentiate the elements of reality vs elements of drama when there’s always elements of fiction for the sake of viewership.
LikeLike
Hi Michelle! I think nice thing about honorifics is it can make the receiver in the conversation to feel respected enough. It can emphasize my respect/politeness towards important people in my life like grandparents, professors, superiors at work, etc.
LikeLike
Professor Jin Jung-suk’s materialistic and individualistic personality in many ways sets the hierarchy that is demonstrated among the professors at the academy. He deliberately places himself above his less experienced and popular professors due to his impressive academic background, reputation and overall popularity with the students. Unfortunately, Jin Jung-suk’s rude actions, such as preventing Jin-yi from parking her car by taking up two parking spaces and pushing Jin-woong out of the elevator for being an annoyance, tarnish his social reputation amongst his colleagues. However, his colleagues and even the head professor continue to shamelessly (or shamefully) praise him or suck up to him because they acknowledge his excellent approach to teaching and more importantly, the enormous amount of students who apply for his lectures. This is important because the amount of students who apply to a professor’s lectures showcases their social popularity and how much money they make for themselves as well as the academy. In Drinking Solo, it appears as though professors who are either older or make a lot of money are placed higher in the hierarchy than professors who are newer, have less experience and have less students attending their classes.
From the description of the civil service exam in your analysis, it appears as though the exam promotes equality of opportunity as it is highly probable that those who pass, regardless of their academic and social backgrounds, will find highly esteemed government jobs. While this endeavor may be more of a challenge to students facing financial issues, passing the civil service exam is purely the result of motivation, work ethic and effective studying habits. Therefore, I do believe this exam is useful and fair in determining which students should be able to move forward and obtain jobs in the government. Although combining studying and experience in the field prior to actually working in the government may be more effective, I view the civil service exam as a requirement one must fulfill before gaining any experience. It’s a very linear process compared to Canada where many students are simultaneously studying and working in their academic field. Perhaps the civil service exam is like the country’s hardest application form.
Using these honorifics would most likely make my interactions with those who are both older and younger than me more formal. That is not necessarily a bad thing as being formal is beneficial when interacting with those in management positions, professors or even some colleagues. However, it will probably hinder many of my friendships with younger and older people because I set aside my formalities when talking to friends. In my personal opinion, honorifics are just kind of awkward and uncomfortable to use particularly with friends or just most people in general.
Informal Side Note:
Nah bro, No Geu Rae talks to Samsung Siri because Samsung Galaxy is one of the sponsors of drinking solo so it has to show a Samsung Siri comfort and entertain the main female protagonist so that Samsung doesn’t get mad at the drinking solo producers for not putting their product in the drama.
LikeLike
Hi Peter, interesting point about the Samsung thing, it’s definitely plausible they incorporated Ha-na talking to Siri for that reason! I agree that Jung-suk really sets the bar for the hierarchy within the academy. I think the context is a little different for the Director, that he isn’t sucking up to Jung-suk because of hierarchy but simply because Jung-suk brings in a lot of money to the academy and the Director doesn’t want to lose him. What do you think could be done to change these hierarchy issues? I also agree with what you said about benefits in using honorifics! I think something that our society has lost is respect for older people.Like we learned in class the senior generation is neglected and alone, but I’m a strong believer of the fact that we actually have to much to learn from the older generation and thus should treat them honourably.
LikeLike
Winnie Peng
Michelle, I think it’s really interesting that you brought up the point about how the usage of sunbae and hoobae could potentially change any of our existing relationships. As someone who is ethnically Asian but grew up in a Western setting, it’s also a question I’ve wondered about in the past; while watching the first few episodes of this drama and also with Korean variety shows I’ve seen before, there has always been an undeniable undertone of “age trumps all”. For example, I watched a variety show that invited several non-celebrities for a particular episode, and the first thing they did was line everyone up in order of descending age so that they would know how to address each other. Another time, I watched an episode where members of an idol group played a game (I can’t recall the name) that entailed the oldest member taking the status of the youngest and vice versa, so that the youngest would then speak informally to the oldest and act accordingly—and this was apparently a big deal. To be honest, I could not at all bring myself to understand what was going on, at that time.
For me personally, there is respect in the way I address someone older and/or more experienced than me, but this usually applies to seniors in status, and not so much in age, unless they are much older. I would not treat a friend who is three years older than me any differently from a friend one year younger than me, but I would treat a boss who’s my age differently from a friend who’s older than me. In Western culture, I also haven’t observed much of addressing someone by their title rather than by their name, unless, of course, it is a person way above my status—for instance, I would call my manager by name, but I would never refer to the Queen of England as “Elizabeth.” Sometimes, a part of me struggles against this heavily name-based society; a boyfriend’s mother would insist that I call her by first name, but I would be uncomfortable doing it. And yet, on the other end of the spectrum, a society that so emphasizes the importance of age doesn’t feel right for me either. To answer your question, I think my compromise is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, leaning towards Korean society—I wouldn’t predict much change in my friendships and work relationships in the case that I did add these sunbae/hoobae titles, but for those who are only a year or two apart from me, I would perhaps feel a niggling sense of discomfort. After all, why should I find true equality only in a friend who is born exactly in the same year as I was?
LikeLike
1)
a) The hierarchical structure has existed from the past ancient Korean society. Since the Confucianism has come to prominence in Korean peninsula in the early Chosun dynasty, the Confucian value of hierarchy has become a major factor in creating the collectivist mindset that pervades all the social interactions in the Korean society. In this first episodes, there are tons of examples that implies the hierarchical relationships between subordinates and superiors, between people who graduated from prominent university and local bad colleges.
b) However, considering the fact that all the other colleagues of Jung-suk have admitted his ability as an instructor, the way that he has been treated in the workplace could be understandable. All of them have already known how many benefits Jung-suk brings into the academy and it could also be beneficial to them economically. Of course, it must be too cruel and rude as Jung-suk literally speaks out what is in his mind when he sees some low-quality behaviours (based on Jung-suk’s standards, not me haha). For these reasons, aside from the different treatment towards the instructors based on their ability, the most representative case of hierarchical structure that I would like to point out is the drinking culture with the superiors.
c) This drinking culture is the most reflective example of Korean hierarchical society in the real world. If the boss asks his subordinates to have some drinks together, unless there is any special occasion, everyone should follow him. Compared to other Western countries, Korea is one of the countries where the workers are still evaluated outside of their company. Depending on their social skills, there might be a higher chance of promotion than the other competitors. In particular, in this first episodes, it was very realistic as Hana and Jin-yi were dancing in front of their boss to cheer him up. This happens very often in the Korean society where the hierarchy matters a lot. This must be a negative experience unless you would just love to dance in front of everyone because it is basically humiliating.
2)
a) The first reaction to the civil service exam for me is just very sad. I grew in the city named Yeouido which is located right next to Noryang-jin. Every time I pass this place, I just feel depressed if I assume I am stuck in this place just like one of these students preparing for this test. There are several reasons that people have decided to take this test. First is you can have a stable job that you would not get easily fired and receive an enough pension to enjoy the rest of their lives. The second is basically people do not really know what they want to do. According to Seoul Infographics, less than 50% of the college graduates’ jobs are corresponding to their current jobs (http://news1.kr/articles/?2378393). Furthermore, from the beginning, it is very tough to get into the major you are interested when you first apply for the university. Compared to other countries, based on your score in Korean university entrance exam, you can decide where to apply. It is very hard to change your major once you get in as well. For these reasons, as it has been described in the show, people ended up quitting their jobs and come to Noryang-jin to be a government office because they do not know who they want to be exactly but only want to have a stable life. Consequently, there are a number of people preparing for this exam and it has led to a high competition (the competition rate was 40.9:1(around 4000 people out of 160000 applicants) this year for the grade 9 civil servant). I would say this is a fair exam considering this crazy high competition. There is no way the government can think of any other exam due to this situation.
3)
a) Since I am Korean, nothing will change when I am socializing with Koreans. If I assume that I start using the honorific expressions to non-Koreans, everything must be confusing. I actually do not really care how old my friends are but I have to once we start using these honorifics. However, aside from this factor, I would not really care that much as I have always asked my Korean friends younger than me to not call me Sunbae cause it sounds so polite. I guess nothing will change that much if I had to use honorifics to everyone.
LikeLike
Michelle, I appreciate your observation in the synopsis that 3 cases of drinking emerge out of different contexts in this episode, and it would be great to keep thinking about what drinking means and does to each of these people as you watch more episodes. It was also interesting that you pointed out that the levels of “social acceptability” among “3 musketeers” are different (especially that in the drama preparing for the civil service exam is considered “honorable”).
I thought you could add more onto why so many young people in Korea are preparing for the civil service exam, which Sean elaborated very nicely.
Morgan, that complicated situation you mentioned (where you have more experience in the place but are younger) is not uncommon at all. If you are someone’s supervisor but younger than the person, then it becomes quite tricky, for instance, to give a task to the person.
Yein, I like your word “brighten-up,” like how these young female teachers have to do 재롱잔치 for the middle-aged 원장.
Peter, regarding your comment on the civil service exam, I agree with you that the exam can promote equal opportunity for most of people.
Winnie, nice examples!
Sean, excellent comment.
LikeLike
Just a super quick monitoring comment from me–
This is about 80% there in terms of discussion leader and 100% there for the rest of the comments. The one thing I need to see from leaders is bringing in academic literature and substantial websites and references to class lectures, you’ve got the one website, we need more. Since this is the first one, of course we’re being more relaxed, don’t worry.
* Also, everyone should be careful about romanization. 선배/후배 are seonbae and hubae not sunbae and hoobae if you romanize correctly. Which most drama subbing people have no idea how to do.
LikeLike