South Korea’s drinking culture has changed a lot in recent years. Nokdu Street in Seoul, once famous for lively pubs serving mung bean pancakes and makgeolli, is now quieter. After-work drinking parties, called “hoesik,” are less common. Many companies no longer organize them, younger women are rejecting the tradition, and rising costs like inflation and high interest rates are making people drink less. Alcohol consumption in South Korea has dropped by 12% since 2015, showing slower economic growth and less domestic spending. This change has hurt small businesses, like Jun Jung-sook’s pub, because fewer people are going out for drinks. Young people care more about their health, and flexible working styles from the pandemic have made drinking even less popular. A court ruling in 2007 also made it easier for women to refuse forced drinking. Places like karaoke rooms and small restaurants are struggling, reflecting the country’s economic issues. While exports are strong, weak local spending is a concern. The decline in drinking shows a shift toward healthier and more individual-focused lifestyles, changing social habits and the economy.