Have you heard Rosé & Bruno Mars’s new single “Apt.”?
This catchy song is also a fun drinking game.
Here’s what the apartment drinking game is and how to play it!
Quick Summary
- Rosé & Bruno Mars’s new single “APT.” is a catchy song and a fun Korean drinking game.
- Apt. is Rosé’s favorite that she plays with her friends back home according to this Korea Times article.
- The apartment drinking game is easy to play without having to know the Korean language.
What Is the Apartment Drinking Game and How Do You Play It?
Apartment is “apt.” in Korean and is pronounced as “a-pa-teu.”
After chanting “apateu apateu, apateu apateu” just like the song’s catchy intro, everyone stacks their hands in the center, one on top of another.
The leader (usually the loser of the previous drinking game round who picks Apt. as the current round) calls out a number at the same time.
The person with their hand at the bottom puts it on top of the pile and counts up from 1. The next person with their hand on bottom says the next number, and so on, all the way to the number chosen by the leader.
Whoever ends up saying the number has to drink a soju shot as a penalty. It’s like Jenga with hands.
This person gets to choose the next drinking game as a reward after singing “Random Game” like Rosé’s song.
Why Do Koreans Play Drinking Games?
Koreans start drinking as soon as we enter university at 18-19 international age or 20 Korean age. It’s a major part of university culture, marking the transition into adulthood.
We also start meeting new people, socializing, and networking, pretty much for the first time after studying so much until taking Suneung (the Korean version of the SAT).
Since many students move away from home to live in dorms or near campus, drinking becomes a way to bond with roommates, classmates, and seniors. I used to drink almost every day in March when the academic year began as a freshman.
As you can imagine, things can get very awkward. And drinking games are the perfect and instant way to break the ice.
They take the pressure off conversations and help people loosen up without the need for forced small talk. We’re not so good at small talk because we don’t have that culture.
Drinking games also create a shared experience without anyone feeling left out, even in large group settings.
Whether you’re naturally outgoing or a bit shy, these games are a structured way to interact, making socializing easier and more enjoyable.
They also add an element of fun and competition, keeping the energy high throughout the night.
The downside is that many people might not remember the fun night together and would restart using the honorifics the next day.
What Are Other Popular Drinking Games in Korea?
Aside from the Apartment Drinking Game, Korea has a ton of fun drinking games that keep the party going.
Here are a few of the most popular and easy ones:
- Baskin Robbins 31: Players take turns counting numbers from 1 to 31, saying one, two, or three numbers at a time. Whoever ends up saying “31” has to take a shot.
- Image Game: One player makes a statement like, “Who in this group is most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse?” or “Who here do you think has the most KakaoTalk friends?” and everyone points to a person. The one with the most votes drinks!
Korean drinking games, including the apartment drinking game, keep everyone engaged and laughing throughout the night.
Just be careful not to drink too much. You can always call for a “black knight” to drink in your stead.
