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The Korea Times

By Pyo Kyung-min
Blackpink’s Rosé and American pop star Bruno Mars are creating a buzz with their new song “APT”, which has garnered global attention and highlights the Korean drinking culture that inspired it.
Rosé’s single “APT”, released on October 19, is a prelude to her first full-length album Rosie – set to drop on December 6. The track, which features an addictive chorus repeating the word “apartment” (pronounced “apateu” in Korean), is marked by an upbeat, catchy sound.
The song stands out because it draws inspiration from a popular Korean drinking game known as the “apartment game”.

In this game, players stack their hands together and the leader calls out a number. Players then remove their hands one by one, starting from the bottom.
If someone pulls their hand out on the number the leader called or if they repeat a number that is already been called, they must drink as a penalty.
Providing an explanation on the backstory of the song through her agency, The Black Label, Rosé highlighted her personal connection to the game.
“‘APT’ is actually my favourite Korean drinking game that I play with my friends back home. It’s so simple, puts a smile on your face and breaks the ice at any party,” Rosé said.
“One night in the studio, I taught my crew how to play the game. Everyone was fascinated, especially when I started the chant, so we played around with it and I said we should make a song out of it … and after Bruno joined the track, the rest became history!”












View this post on Instagram























A post shared by ROSÉ (@roses_are_rosie)



Before the song’s release, the singer also shared videos on Instagram showing herself and Mars playing the apartment game and teaching him Korean, showcasing Korea’s unique drinking culture to a global audience.
As interest in “APT” continues to rise, attention is also turning to other games that energise social gatherings, with the “apartment game” being a notable example.
One of the simplest yet most engaging Korean drinking games is the “nunchi game”, often described as a game of timing and sensitivity. Nunchi is a Korean term that refers to the ability to read the mood of others and react accordingly.
In this game, players take turns calling out numbers starting from one, carefully observing each other’s reactions. The objective is to avoid calling the same number as another player or being the last to call a number, as both outcomes lead to a loss.
Its emphasis on quick reflexes and keen observation makes it a popular choice at social gatherings.

Another popular Korean drinking game is “3-6-9”, known as sam-yuk-gu in Korean.
Players count aloud from one, but they must avoid saying any number that contains the digits three, six or nine. Instead, they clap: once for single digits and twice for double digits that include these numbers. If a player makes a mistake, they must consume a drink.
A game that celebrates Korean culture while adding fun to drinking sessions is the “Hunminjeongeum game” named after the original manuscript of Hangul, or the Korean alphabet, devised by King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910).
In this game, a leader announces the consonants of a two- or three-syllable word, and players must quickly shout out corresponding words while stacking their thumbs in turn. The player who responds too slowly or is the last to stack their thumb faces a penalty – typically a shot of a specially crafted drink.

The “Son Byung-ho game”, attributed to Korean actor Son Byung-ho, is also widely enjoyed among Korean drinkers of all ages.
Participants hold up five fingers and take turns setting criteria – such as clothing items or personal traits. Anyone who matches the criteria must fold a finger and the first person to fold all their fingers is penalised.
This game brings a playful dynamic to drinking parties, offering an amusing way to single out participants.
For soju enthusiasts, the bottle cap game is a must-try. Unlike other drinking games, this one requires little to no thinking.
The game involves the cap from a soju bottle, where the small metal “tail” on the lid is twisted into a thin rod. Players take turns flicking the rod and the person who manages to flick it off is typically the one to drink a shot of soju.
Read the original story at The Korea Times.


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Ready to play a drinking game? How Blackpink’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ new song, APT, has created a buzz around Korea’s drinking culture


Ready to play a drinking game? How Blackpink’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ new song, APT, has created a buzz around Korea’s drinking culture.


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