Pat 1. Vocabulary
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hiatus |
/ hīˈādəs/ n. - a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process: "there was a brief hiatus in the war with France" |
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binge |
/ binj/ v. - indulge in an activity, especially eating, drinking, or taking drugs, to excess: "some see the whole weekend as a chance to binge" |
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restriction |
/ rəˈstrikSH (ə) n/ n. - a limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one: "planning restrictions on commercial development" |
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shift |
/ SHift/ v. - a slight move or cause to change in position, direction, or tendency: "a shift in public opinion" |
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revenue |
/ ˈRevəˌn (y) o͞o/ n. - income, especially when of a company or organization and of a substantial nature: "Traders have lost $ 10,000 in revenue since the traffic scheme was implemented." |
Part 2. Comprehension Questions
What is Hoesik?
What Blue roof Town is known for?
How do alcohol companies react to the Hoesik?
What was the reaction of the senior workers and young people towards the change in the office atmosphere?
How does the pandemic change Hoesik practices?
Part 2. Article Reading
As South Korea shifts gear toward “living with COVID-19,” after-work dinners, or Hoesik, are among the first things to return.
After a nearly 1 1/2-year hiatus, the return of office dinners, which often involve binge drinking and are met with mixed reactions from workers, have been welcomed by the hospitality industry and small-business owners hit hard by the pandemic.
At Korean barbeque restaurant Blue Roof Town in Seoul's Mapo District, one of the more popular areas for after-work get-togethers, there has been an increase in bookings following the government's decision to allow gatherings of 10 people in Seoul and the surrounding areas.
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“People knew about the easing of restrictions starting Nov. 1 so bookings for Hoesik (in November) were already made in the week running up to this month. Bookings for groups of six, seven, or eight are something we haven't seen until recently, ”said the restaurant's manager surnamed Song. "We already have group bookings until next Thursday and Friday," the manager added.
Alcohol companies are also welcoming the shift in mood. Oriental Brewery launched an in-person marketing event last month for its flagship beer, Cass, while liquor maker Hite Jinro said some restaurants have ordered “more supplies than usual” in hopes of an increase in revenue.
The reaction toward this change in atmosphere in the office however seems to be mixed across generations. While senior workers felt delighted to bring it back, some young people were less enthusiastic.
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While the pandemic could change how companies do Hoesik, Lim, a 33-year-old office worker believes the culture itself will never go away. “I expect unhygienic practices people did during Hoesik, like sharing the same glass, etc. will disappear in the 'living with COVID' phase, but Hoesik is part of the Korean office life and that will not go away, ”Lim said.
As the government is set to move forward with further steps to reopen the economy, Ahn said the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has changed.
“At the beginning, prevention was of utmost importance. But with death rates now dropping, aspects such as the economy and a return to normal life cannot be overlooked and more weight should be attached to them (in dealing with the pandemic), ”the professor said.
Source: By Yim Hyun-su & Kang Jae-eun ( hyunsu@heraldcorp.com ) ( kang.jaeeun@heraldcorp.com )