When working in real estate in Dallas, the day passes by in a blur. Meeting clients, showing houses, and gathering contract documents, before you know it, it's evening.

At times like that, having a drink with a colleague helps relieve the fatigue. My drink of choice is soju.

Many people call soju "Korean vodka," but there are actually quite a few differences.

Vodka is traditionally made by fermenting grains or potatoes and distilling them without any special aging process.

However, soju is closer to a liqueur, as it adds a sweet flavor by extracting alcohol.

This makes it smooth to drink, and its mild aroma allows even those new to alcohol to enjoy it easily.

In Dallas, soju has become an essential item on the menu at Korean restaurants.

With dishes like kimchi stew, pork belly, and potato soup, many say that soju pairs better than beer. While this combination is already familiar to Koreans, I can't help but chuckle when local Americans taste soju and say, "This is dangerous, it's too easy to drink."

Because it's inexpensive and has a moderate alcohol content, it has quickly become a distilled spirit that sells worldwide, rivaling vodka.

However, no matter how light soju may feel, being careless can lead to serious consequences. One must always respect their drinking limit, as studies show that just drinking 1.2 times your limit can start to cause irreparable damage to your body.

Even more frightening is the fact that drinking only half of your usual limit can already strain your internal organs. In simple terms, the illusion of "I can handle it" and the self-comfort of "It'll be fine" can erode your health.

In the real estate business, there is a lot of stress, and it's often hard to avoid drinking occasions. However, mindlessly downing soju is never a wise choice.

As I get older, I choose to enjoy one or two drinks lightly and focus on conversation and food for the rest.

Soju is an attractive drink, often called Korea's soul drink. Its perfect pairing with food and affordable price are appealing.

But one must not forget the hidden traps within it. If you find yourself raising a soju glass at a Korean restaurant tonight, remember this.

Alcohol can bring us joy, but our bodies are unforgiving with numbers. Drinking 1.2 times your limit is a warning sign, and even half your limit can damage your health.

In the end, I believe that those who enjoy alcohol wisely are the true adults.