Date: 3/5/2012
Here’s the breakdown:
3pm Get word of hweshik in last-minute Korean fashion
5pm Arrive at Korean bbq restaurant in the Cheongyang town center area. Take off shoes, sit on the ground, observe four tables pushed together with about 40 staff members (teachers, administration, kitchen, maintenance) already placing meat on the table-top grill amidst a plethora of Korean side dishes. Of course, there are 3 varieties of kimchi.
5:30pm Dumfounded by the three full shot glasses of Soju in front of me and correctly assume that this 회식 is to welcome the new teachers (me and the 2nd grade teacher)
5:35pm Ask the Kindergarten teacher next to me what I should do. She tells me to pour the Soju out in the water cup underneath the table. I promptly thank her.
6:30pm Full. Other teacher’s still going. The men at the end of the communal table get louder. Start singing songs. Soju continues to flow.
7:30pm “Main course” arrives, meaning some sort of noodle or rice dish.
7:45pm Experience acid reflux.
8pm Leave for the 노래방 [no-rae-bahng] or private karaoke room. Most of the staff go home. About 10 people left, mostly teachers.
8:15pm Amazed at the vice-principals dancing skills and how similar his style is to running in place.
8:30pm Sing “Beautiful” by Xtina. Booyah.
8:45pm The English/Science teacher expresses his high level of intoxication by dancing like there ain’t no tomorrow
9pm Sing my signature “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Other teacher’s go crazy.
9:02pm Can’t see the screen because the teacher’s are dancing wildly in front of me and trying to sing along, but can only manage rah rah rah ah ah.
10pm Final teacher sings a song and everyone sits down to chat.
10:30pm Get kicked out by the manager to make space for other customers. Teachers get pissed off.
10:45pm Arrive at Tous le Jours cafe. Order peppermint tea. Chat about some sort of administrative issue—election of the head administrator?
11:15pm My mentor teacher drives me home.






