If you’ve ever been to a Korean 술자리 (sul-ja-ri), or drinking party, you know it’s never just about sipping 소주 (so-ju) and 맥주 (maek-ju) beer. It’s about laughter, bonding, and—of course—chaotic drinking games that can turn even the most reserved person into the life of the party. Whether you’re newbie to Korean culture or already a fan of K-dramas where these games pop up between soju shots, let’s raise our 잔 (jan), or glass, and dive into some of Korea’s favorite drinking games—where every round is filled with giggles, dares, and sometimes, unexpected confessions.
1. 삼육구 게임 (Sam-Yuk-Gu Gae-Im) – ‘3-6-9 Game’
This is one of the OG drinking games. Players take turns counting numbers, but when you hit a number containing 3, 6, or 9, you clap instead of saying the number. Miss a clap? 짠! (jjan)—or cheers—take a shot. As the tempo speeds up, brains get tangled, and as soju takes over, even the smartest player ends up clapping in a panic.
2. 눈치 게임 (Nun-Chi Gae-Im) – ‘Nunchi Game’
눈치 (nun-chi) basically means reading the room, and this game tests exactly that. Everyone shouts numbers from 1 upwards. It’s not played in turns—anyone can jump in with the next number. If two people say the same number at once, 짠! (jjan)—cheers—you drink! It’s a battle of instincts, timing, and sometimes… sheer betrayal.
3. 손병호 게임 (Son-Byung-ho Gae-Im) – ‘Korea’s Never Have I Ever’
Inspired by an actor, this is Korea’s version of ‘Never Have I Ever’. Players hold up five fingers and confess things like, ‘I’ve never texted my ex.’ If you have, down goes a finger—and maybe a drink too. Let’s just say secrets don’t last long at a 술자리 (sul-ja-ri), or drinking party. You’ve probably seen this one in a K-drama or two.
4. APT 게임 (APT Gae-Im) – ‘Apartment Game’
Shot to fame after BLACKPINK’s Rosé dropped ‘APT’ featuring Bruno Mars, this game is the hottest viral sensation right now. Everyone stacks their hands like the ‘floors’ of an apartment. The leader calls out a floor number, and the hand that lands on that floor drinks. Add rhythm, clapping, and chants, and you’ve got an insta-worthy chaos fest.
5. 버니버니 당근당근게임 (Beo-Ni Beo-Ni Dang-Guen Dang-Guen Gae-Im) – ‘Bunny Bunny Carrot Carrot Game’
Silly? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. You’ve probably heard of—or seen—many idols, like SEVENTEEN or BTS, play this trendy game. The rules are simple: one player says ‘Bunny Bunny’ with rabbit ears while the surrounding players chant 당근당근 (dang-geun dang-geun), which means ‘Carrot Carrot’ in Korean, as if they’re digging vegetables. Miss the beat or make the wrong gesture, and you drink. It’s a guaranteed laughter starter.
6.아싸 홍삼 게임 (A-ssa Hong-Sam Gae-Im) – ‘The Red Ginseng Game’
One of the quirkiest and most entertaining Korean drinking games, it starts with everyone chanting in rhythm: ‘아싸 홍삼! 에브리바디 홍삼!’ (a-ssa hong-sam! ae-beu-ri-ba-di hong-sam!). Before any move, players slap both knees and clap once on ‘아싸’ (a-ssa), a cheering exclamation similar to saying “yay!” or “woohoo!”
The starting player points to two people while saying ‘아싸 너 너!’ (a-ssa neo neo), where 너 (neo) means ‘you’. Each of the two chosen players then points to another player with ‘아싸~ 너’ (a-ssa~neo), and the game continues until two players both point to the same person at the same time. When someone is chosen by both, that person shouts ‘아싸 홍삼!’ (a-ssa-hong-sam) and performs a simple or goofy gesture. Everyone else responds ‘Everybody Hong-sam!’ while copying the gesture in sync, and the game begins again.
The catch? If you lose the beat, hesitate, or mess up → 짠! (jjan), you drink. It’s fast, musical, and hilariously chaotic—the kind of game that only gets louder and funnier as the night goes on. The game was made even more iconic by SEVENTEEN on GOING SEVENTEEN.
These games aren’t just for fun—they reflect 정 (jeong), the bond and connection at the heart of Korean drinking culture. They break down social barriers, help shy people open up, and create memories that last far beyond the last pour of soju. And that’s a wrap on our drinking game guide!
다음에 또 만나요! (da-eum-ae tto man-na-yo) — See you next time, readers! Until then, 짠 (jjan)~!
Written by – Ariba
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