What if the games you played as an innocent child with the joy of laughter suddenly become a fight for survival? The Netflix series Squid Game, recognized as the first non-English show to win a SAG Award (Screen Actor Guild) plunged these beloved child games into a deadly challenge. With a total of 265.2 million views, it is also known to be the most-watched non-English show ever in the history of Netflix. Despite the games being played unfamiliar to the majority of the viewers including Gen-Z and foreigners, Squid Game successfully captivated global audiences with its gripping tension and story plot. As a result, social platforms were once full of people playing these games in search of childhood nostalgia and learning a new culture. In a total of 7 unique games played, 달고나 (Sugar honeycomb toffees), 줄다리기 (Tug of War), and 구슬치기 (marble game) sparked widespread attention.
Sugar Honeycomb Toffees
Sugar honeycomb toffees are widely admired by the diverse generation. As sugars were considered very expensive until the Korean War, it is known to have been started around 1960 at Busan mostly using glucose. Glucose, when exposed to heat has a stronger taste of sweet than sugar so people started to name this grape sugar candy Dalgona, which is pronounced similar to the Korean word “달구나” meaning taste sweeter.
In the 1970s and 80s, Dalgona became even more popular as a street snack. Students, as old as high schoolers, paid an affordable price for each piece. If they successfully carved out the shape, they would receive an additional piece for free, gradually turning into a competition among students. However, as Dalgona expanded its market through vending machines, Dalgona started to position itself as an unhealthy, artificial snack. Therefore, a lot of these stalls started disappearing, with few located in populated areas for those who are seeking childhood memories.
During the Covid pandemic, the popularity of Dalgona resurfaced as people spent more time at home, but this time in a unique combination with coffee. Since Dalgona Coffee required considerable effort of shaking, it was a great way to pass the otherwise boring time. Therefore, it quickly became a popular challenge on social platforms, especially among younger generations.
Tug of War
Korean tug-of-war, known as "Juldarigi" (줄다리기), is a traditional game that has distinct characteristics compared to the standard tug-of-war played in other countries.
While both types of tug of war hold similar rules of contenders in groups trying to pull a thick rope to dislodge the other side, Juldarigi is considered more symbolic. Historically, Juldarigi is often played as a ritual for good harvest and is known to have been started by farmers around 15 centuries ago.
Unlike the typical tug of war, Juldarigi holds a broader meaning of tie and good harvest. Therefore, farmers, usually in a group of 10, faced each other with a narrow river in between. Winning a team in an intense match could claim a fortune and a keen sense of team spirit. These games between farmers are still being played on the 15th day of the first lunar month known as the Daeboreum festival to also celebrate the first full moon. As the ropes were made of hays collected from the people in the village, their thickness and length vary with some used these days being as thick as 1 meter.
In 2015, Juldarigi was recognized by UNESCO as part of the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," highlighting Korean agricultural tradition.
Marble Game
Despite the rising popularity of Korean marble games, the marble game itself originated in Japan. In 1869, the Japanese carbonated soft drink Ramune was introduced to Korea, and people began selling marbles inside the used bottles. As most of the kids did not have access to many forms of play, they started using marbles to spend time with their friends. One of the main reasons why marbles became a great hit, despite seeming more popular among girls, was due to its historical background. When marbles were first introduced, parents and kids avoided playing active and intense sports, as it led to hunger. As a result, games like marbles that required less energy were a great way to entertain children.
However marble games, even in Korea, vary significantly according to geographical region. This is largely because, during the early to mid-20th century, networks between faraway areas were not fully developed, so people mostly grew up adopting customs from their region. One of the most well-known variations is where a player aims to hit the opponent's marble by striking their own with their finger. If successful, the opponent's marbles are handed over to another player, and the successful player continues their turn. However, if the shot is missed, the turn passes to the next player, and the original player risks being attacked by the opponent in the next round. Moving their marbles farther away to avoid being targeted is also a common strategy for defense.
Next Game?
With Squid Game 2 arriving on December 26, its teaser hints at where the next games take place. While the specific games to be played remain unknown, the series will likely once again feature traditional Korean games like in the last season. The show will be even more interesting if you pay attention to how these games are incorporated into the story plot.
줄다리기 [Juldarigi]." Grand Culture, Hwasun Cultural Encyclopedia, www.grandculture.net/hwasun/toc/GC05601933?search=H2/3. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
줄다리기 [Juldarigi]." Hamyang Grand Culture, www.hamyang.grandculture.net/hamyang/toc/GC07201194?search=H2/3. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
Jung, Min-kyung. "Korea's Tug-of-War Joins UNESCO Heritage List." Korea.net, Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), 4 Dec. 2015, www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=131236. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
구슬치기 [Guseulchigi]." Daejeon Ilbo, 12 Feb. 2019, www.daejonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1350361. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
“구슬치기.” 한국민족문화대백과사전, encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0005886 Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
“[달고나의 역사] 오징어 게임? 원조는 우리의 어린시절의 추억부터 시작된 달고나.” 네이버 블로그 | 모카클래스 - 사내 취미문화 클래스 및 강사 플랫폼, 2021, m.blog.naver.com/mochaclass/222536781921