How Is "Squid Game 2" Reviving Interest In Traditional Korean Games Like Gonggi?

Squid Game Official X / Netflix Official X

After introducing the “Red Light, Green Light” game in the first season, Netflix's highly anticipated “Squid Game 2” is out with new traditional Korean games. The second installment has captivated global viewers with engaging activities, including gonggi, which has sparked a new gaming trend worldwide.

Since releasing all episodes on Dec. 26, the beloved series has been the talk of the town. It maintained its spot atop the Netflix TV show charts for three consecutive days in 93 countries, as of Dec. 31. While the episodes are gaining views, the ‘gonggi challenge’ is surging to popularity on social media, especially TikTok.

In this article, we'll explore how “Squid Game" Season 2 sparks a cultural revival of traditional Korean games. We'll delve into how the series incorporated the games, how the activities go, and how the global audience embraces them.

 

The Role of Traditional Korean Games in “Squid Game 2”

“Squid Game 2” masterfully incorporates traditional Korean childhood games, bringing a nostalgic yet intense twist to its narrative. Following the global success of “Red Light, Green Light” in the first season, the second installment introduces viewers to lesser-known but culturally significant games. Some of these activities were shown in episode 4 titled “Six Bridges.”