Set in the bustling Noryangjin neighborhood of Seoul—known as the mecca for civil service exam preparation—'Drinking Solo' follows the lives of various instructors, students, and staff who find solace in drinking alone after exhausting days. Jin Jung-suk is a high-profile, arrogant star history instructor who drinks fine alcohol purely for his own pleasure, while Park Ha-na is a struggling, optimistic rookie instructor trying to survive in the cutthroat academy. As the narrative unfolds, the series cleverly explores the harsh realities and immense pressures of South Korea's hyper-competitive education and employment systems through a blend of poignant realism and humor. Amidst the cramming, rivalries, and bleak job prospects, the characters bond over their shared, albeit solitary, evening rituals of food and alcohol, gradually forming unexpected connections and finding romance.