Traditional Korean Games Featured in Squid Game 2

 

Five traditional games are featured in Squid Game 2, including their origins, history, and gameplay.

On December 25, 2024, Squid Game 2 premiered, delivering even more thrilling and suspenseful challenges inspired by traditional Korean games. Just like the first season impressed viewers turning childhood games into deadly survival contests, the sequel introduced new games with high stakes and surprising twists. Among these were several traditional Korean folk games that have been enjoyed for generations. 

1. Tombstone Game (Bi-seok-chi-gi, 비석치기) 

• Origin & History: Biseokchigi has been a beloved game in Korea for centuries, particularly in rural areas where children use natural stones as their game pieces. The name of the game reflects its resemblance to tombstones, as players set small stones upright and aim to knock them down. 

• How to Play: Players position flat stones upright to represent "tombstones." Each player takes turns throwing another stone to knock over the opponent’s stones. The player who knocks down the most stones is declared the winner. 

    

2. Korean Jacks (Gong-gi 공기놀이)  

• Origin & History: Gonggi is an ancient game that was originally played with small stones before modern versions transitioned to plastic or metal pieces. The game resembles jacks but emphasizes hand-eye coordination and dexterity. 

• How to Play: Players toss one stone into the air and must pick up a designated number of stones from the ground before catching the airborne stone. The challenge increases as players are required to pick up multiple stones at once.

    

        

3 . Korean Hacky Sack (Je-gi-cha-gi 제기차기)

• Origin & History: Jegichagi dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) and was historically played during the winter months. Originally, it was used to improve agility and leg strength. The jegi (shuttlecock) was traditionally made of cloth wrapped around a coin or a small stone. 
• How to Play: Players kick the jegi into the air repeatedly without letting it touch the ground. The goal is to keep it airborne for as long as possible using only one foot. In group play, players take turns and compete to see who can keep the jegi in the air the longest.

4 . Spinning Top Game (Paeng-i-dol-li-gi 팽이 돌리기)

• Origin & History: Paengi (spinning tops) have been played in Korea since the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). The game was especially popular in winter, as tops spun more smoothly on frozen surfaces. Traditionally, tops were made of wood and spun using a tightly wound string. 

• How to Play: Players wrap a string around the top and pull it quickly to launch it into a spin. The goal is to keep the top spinning for as long as possible. In competitive play, players try to knock over their opponent’s top while keeping their own spinning.

Image from freepik.com

5 . Paper Tile Game (Ddak-ji-chi-gi 딱지 치기)

• Origin & History: Ddakji has been a beloved children’s game for many generations and gained global recognition through Squid Game (2021), where it was used as a test for contestants. Traditionally, the game was popular in schoolyards, as it required only folded paper tiles and could be played anywhere. 

• How to Play: Each player has a ddakji (a folded paper tile). Players take turns throwing their ddakji at an opponent’s tile, trying to flip it over by striking it with force. The player who successfully flips the other ddakji wins the round.