I don’t watch a lot of tv shows, but I can’t resist good shows, especially if it is a Korean show. One day, a group of my gym friends was talking about a TV show. I naturally joined the conversation and they asked me if I was watching the show: 오징어 게임 (oh-jing-uh-game: Squid Game). I had have never heard of the show before, but it, obviously, was one of the most popular TV show these days. I had to say no to the question, but I started watching the show on the same evening. 

Image by DigitalDDay on Pixabay

I think the show is well-plotted and it has the power to draw the viewer’s attention at once. The show, for sure, is intriguing. I even thought about who on earth came up with the title! What I really like about this show, though, is that it depicts the daily life of average people in modern Korean society. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there are 소소한 (so-so-han: a little, minor, trivial) details in the show that bring me nostalgic childhood memories from Korea. 

While I was watching the series, I noticed that the show contains a depth of Korean culture. There are things that you would appreciate more if you understand the culture. Today, I would like to share a little bit of fun facts about the show with you.

Image by dennies025 on Pixabay

Quiz 1. What are the first three Korean children’s games in the show?

->딱지치기 (Ddak-ji-chi-gi), 무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다.(Red light, Greenlight), 달고나 뽑기 (Dal-go-na-bbop-gi:honeycomb game)

딱지치기 is a Korean game. You can play with multiple players. Each player has folded paper tiles that they slap on the floor as hard as possible. The purpose of this game is to make the other player’s 딱지 be flipped over. 

무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다 is a group game. I remember playing this game with my whole neighborhood friends. This game tests your 민첩성 (min-chup-sung: agility).

달고나 is basically white sugar-melted cookies. When I was in elementary school, there were always small vendors near the school to sell this junk food. A cooker, melts sugar in a honeycomb shape, pouring it on a flat surface to cool down. At this moment, he places different shaped cookie cutters on top of the melting sugar cookie. I don’t remember this part, but I guess you get a prize if you perfectly cut the 달고나 clean out of the cookie cutter shape.

Image by PIX1861 on Pixabay

Quiz 2. What kind of 선물 (sun-mool: a gift, a present) made Player #218 get involved in the game? 

->Player #218 got involved with 외환선물 (wei-hwan-sun-mool: features, a trade foreign exchange). It is often shortened for 선물. It is a synonym of 선물 (sun-mool: a gift, a present) as well. Hopefully, you can follow along during a conversation between player #456 and player #218. 

Quiz 3. What do you think is the most popular topic in casual conversations among Korean men? 

->I can’t say all Korean men love to talk about 군대 (goon-dae: the military) experiences, but I have heard many times that it is a popular topic for those who are discharged from the Korean Army. They might have had a great life experience in 군대. 

This show could be another success story of Korean media culture, but it is a bit bloody to watch. Therefore, I don’t recommend this show to young children. 

I have more quizzes to give you in the next post. If you haven’t caught up with the show, you have some time. More fun facts about the show are waiting for you. Stay tuned!