Unlike Western cultures, it is important for Korean University students to divide their friends into “sun-bae” or “hoo-bae” according to their age or grade. This practice comes from a group-oriented and hierarchical culture in Korea. A “sun-bae” is regarded as an older sister or brother who is expected to support and guide a “Hoo-bae.” At the start of the new semester, the L.L.F made a questionnaire to see which Sun-bae’s characteristics are expected for freshmen. From March 5, 2019 to March 7, 2019, Daegu University students responded to L.L.F campus surveys.

Q1: Which of the following four types of ‘sun-bae’ do you prefer?

A: A sun-bae who often buys things for hoo-baes (46)

B: A sun-bae who is friendly to hoo-baes (66)

C: A sun-bae who looks good (65)

D: A sun-bae who gives beneficial tips to hoo-baes for university life (104)

In this survey, 281 voters participated from March 5, 2019 to March 7, 2019. The most ideal type of sun-bae for Daegu University students was one who gives beneficial tips to hoo-bae for their university life. This response was chosen by 104 students. A sun-bae who is friendly to hoo-baes and looks good got 66 and 65 votes, respectively. The remaining option, which was a sun-bae who often buys things, was chosen by 46 students.

L.L.F reporter Ji-won Park

Q2: Which ‘sun-bae’ is the least favorite among the four types of sun-baes?

A: A sun-bae who becomes handsy after drinking. (122)

B: A sun-bae who forces hoo-bae to greet them. (124)

C: A sun-bae who talks behind a hoo-bae’s back. (34)

D: A sun-bae who talks roughly when seeing them for the first time. (22)

In the survey, about 300 students participated. The least preferred sun-bae was one forces hoo-bae to greet them whenever they see them; it got 124 votes. By a margin of two votes, a sun-bae who becomes handsy after drinking won the second largest number of votes; it got 122 votes. A sun-bae who talks behind someone’s back got 34 votes, and a sun-bae who talks roughly got 22 votes.

We wondered why most voters chose such categories and conducted an interview.

A male student said, “I chose a sun-bae who gives beneficial tips to hoo-baes for university life. I prefer them because help in college life is practical compared to the other options such as appearances or kindness. It's not something you can get easily.”

A female student said, “I chose the first and the third answer because that’s what I’m undergoing at the moment. One of sun-baes talked behind my back about how I don’t greet them much. It’s so stressful.

L.L.F reporter Suk-ho Jung