Alas, the loved American game show - WHEEL OF FORTUNE - has found its rightful place as a cell phone drinking game in Korea! I suppose it is no surprise to hear that the tech savvy Koreans have invented yet another cell phone application that woos and wows, but this hand-phone fun was a night to remember.
On Tuesday, the big bosses came to town to hold a conference in our large computer lab. As a gesture of gratitude, our regional boss hosted us to dinner after work. Of course, we had to travel away from our neighborhood to ensure that no parents would see us act "unprofessional." Not to worry, a quick car ride later and the shenanigans began.
Dinner was the traditional, galbi sal, or rib barbecue. It is cooked at the table with endless bancheon (side dishes) to mix. The cooked meat can be dunked in various sauces, scooped with garlic and green onions, or wrapped in a crisp piece of lettuce. The meat can be fatty, but tastes delicious when combined with the right bancheon. The lucrative amount of vegetables leads to a well balanced meal.
The other course of Korean dinner is soju. Soju sips, soju one shots (throw it back), or somaek (a soju shot dropped in beer much like a Jagger bomb). I was feeling a bit off from recent food born illnesses and got to enjoy this course sober. Sometimes it is enlightening to see the other side.
The troops seemed especially rowdy after a long week of work prepping for our winter intensive courses. The Korean teachers also had lots of training and were definitely getting their R and R. The most entertaining part of Korean culture is that even the bosses get drunk with no qualms. The ones who don't care to drink regularly, still have to take the shots out of respect. It is a rough life for newbies and non-drinkers, but we Americans have learned many fascinating community drinking games this way. And so again we return to ...WHEEL OF FORTUNE.
Our vivacious coworker, Elin, busted out her phone with a giggle and announced that it was Wheel of Fortune time. Slightly confused, all heads at the table of 25 zoned into the phone in question. Vicky, a boisterous soju pushing teacher, eagerly volunteered to be the first contestant. She rose the phone in the air like a ritual offering to the gods and fervently shook the sleek black object. The wheel spun rapidly as the flashes of color ticked across the screen....yellow, orange, pink, blue, purple...gradually it began to slow and we all leaned in with curiousity. Moments later Vicky blurted with excitement, "Won jeong nim...ship mahn won!" I.E. "Boss, give me $100!"
We were shocked. Were we truly playing Wheel of Fortune for our bosses money??? Is he really going to give her $100. Vicky proudly brought the cell phone to the boss with ease so he could see the winnings with his own eyes. But as she leaned forward with glee he wacked the phone with his free hand and the wheel rippled into a second spin. Vicky gasped, but then with a lighthearted chuckle the boss handed over the loot. It was amazing.
As the game ensued we found out the tables were turned in our favor. There were definitely more "win money from the boss" spaces then there were "punishment drinking" spaces. Some teachers landed on, "make your neighbors team drink" or "do a one shot." Still the "punishment drinking" led to such entertainment as Elin shoving chopsticks in her shirt and giving shoulder pads a whole new name. Not to mention ridiculous dancing antics from all parties. In the end, Vicky had accumulated 150,000 won from all of the teachers winnings. This is probably equivalent to $125 or so and was dedicated to the after party. Noraebang (singing room)...here we come!
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