I worked for many years in a Korean middle-school… most days I ate with the other teachers in my department, but, being British, every now and again I felt the need for some alone-time and would sit on my own to eat my lunch. This would always elicit colleagues and students approaching me throughout the rest of the day to ask me if I was OK.

I’d also find if I turned up to the local 포장마차 after work/study on my own I’d invariably get invited over by the local 아저씨 to share a glass of soju with them.

I really love ths comensal attitude to eating in Korea, and the idea that if you have eaten, you’ll be OK.