Gonggi: Unpacking The Traditional Korean Game From Squid Game Season 2

Dr. Reymundo Schaden 13 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered how to play gonggi, the traditional Korean children's game that made a deadly appearance in the second season of Squid Game? Most of us were addicted to the first season's global popularity, and so the return brought back intense drama. It also introduced viewers to more traditional Korean games. One standout is gonggi nori (공기놀이), a game that, in a way, symbolizes strategy within the show's potentially fatal rounds.

Squid Game Season 2, as a matter of fact, really moved quickly through the gonggi game. It can be difficult to know what is going on. The show doesn't bother to explain the rules of gonggi, which, dramatically speaking, feels like the right decision. Yet, for viewers who want to understand, or perhaps even play, the lack of explanation leaves a lot of questions.

This article aims to clear things up. Here you can learn everything about the Korean children's gonggi game. We will look at how it works and what you need to know amid growing global buzz following the Squid Game 2 release. So, get ready to explore this engaging game, which involves tossing and catching small pieces while performing different actions.

What is Gonggi?
Why Gonggi in Squid Game Season 2?
Getting Started with Gonggi
How to Play Gonggi: The Rounds
Gonggi: The Experience
Frequently Asked Questions about Squid Game Gonggi

What is Gonggi?

Gonggi, or Korean jacks, is a traditional Korean game. It is played with small stones or plastic pieces. This game has entertained generations, and it has a timeless charm. Gonggi, featured in Squid Game, involves tossing and catching small stones. It gained renewed attention after being featured in Squid Game Season 2, where it symbolized strategy, as I was saying.

The game asks players to throw and pick up stones. This is done to complete levels that become more challenging. Players do this for a chance to win. In this game, the player will show fine motor skills. It is about throwing stones with purpose. This is a game that has been around for a very long time, and it is still quite popular.

Why Gonggi in Squid Game Season 2?

Squid Game Season 2 introduced gonggi as a minigame within one of the show's potentially fatal rounds. The series is founded on Korean culture, and so it brings these traditional elements to a global audience. This choice highlights the show's interest in traditional Korean pastimes. It also shows how simple games can take on a very different meaning under extreme pressure, you know?

The way gonggi appears in the show is quick. It does not pause to explain the rules. This, for many viewers, created a desire to learn more. It is a smart move for the show, dramatically speaking. For us, it creates an opportunity to explore a game that might otherwise remain unknown to many outside of Korea. It is, in a way, a window into a culture.

Getting Started with Gonggi

To play gonggi, you need a set of gonggi stones. These stones are designed authentically, making them look exactly like in the show. For the perfect game experience, having the right stones is, you know, pretty important. You can find these sets online, sometimes even bundled with other Korean cultural items. For instance, some calming serums might include a free gonggi tossing game, as seen in Squid Game, which is a bit of a fun surprise.

If you are looking to make your own, some people have even made simpler gonggi sets. If you download a clean .stl file for 3D printing, you might need to add supports for a good print. This design, for fans, is both functional and, in a way, a tribute to the show. It is quite accessible to get started, actually.

How to Play Gonggi: The Rounds

Gonggi, as demonstrated in Squid Game Season 2 and in helpful tutorials, is a playground game of five rounds. Each one is played differently. These rounds break down in a specific way, building in difficulty. As a seasoned game enthusiast, I can tell you that the progression is very clever. It is a game that tests your hand-eye coordination and your focus, too it's almost a meditation.

The core idea is always about throwing one stone up and picking up others from the ground before catching the thrown stone. If you miss a catch, or if you move other stones while picking up, you lose your turn. The goal is to complete all five rounds. You then get to do a bonus round for points. This is how you win, basically.

Round One: The Single Stone Pickup

To start, you scatter five stones on a flat surface. You pick one stone up, throw it into the air. While that stone is in the air, you quickly pick up one of the remaining four stones from the ground. Then, you catch the stone you threw before it hits the ground. This is done with one hand. You repeat this until all four stones are picked up, one by one. It sounds simple, but it takes practice, you know?

Round Two: The Double Stone Pickup

In this round, the setup is the same: scatter five stones. You pick one stone up and throw it. This time, while that stone is in the air, you pick up two stones from the ground at once. Then, you catch the thrown stone. You do this twice, picking up two stones each time. This means you pick up four stones in total, in two groups. This step, naturally, adds a bit more challenge.

Round Three: The Triple Stone Pickup

For the third round, you again scatter the five stones. Throw one stone up. While it is in the air, you pick up three stones from the ground at once. Then, you catch the thrown stone. After that, you pick up the last single stone remaining. This is often done by throwing the stone you are holding, picking up the last single stone, and catching the thrown one. It requires a bit of quick thinking, as a matter of fact.

Round Four: The Quadruple Stone Pickup

This round is quite a jump in difficulty. Scatter the five stones. Throw one stone up. While it is in the air, you must pick up all four remaining stones from the ground in one go. Then, you catch the stone you threw. This is a big test of speed and hand size, frankly. It is where many players tend to struggle, I mean, it is pretty tough.

Round Five: The Five Stone Pickup

This is often called the "five stone" or "picking up all" round. You gather all five stones in your hand. You throw them all up into the air. Then, you try to catch as many as you can on the back of your hand. After catching them, you toss them up again from the back of your hand and catch them in your palm. The number of stones you catch in your palm becomes your score. This final step is where you show your skill, basically.

Gonggi: The Experience

Playing gonggi is more than just picking up stones. It is about focus, hand-eye coordination, and a bit of quick thinking. It is a game that can be played anywhere with a flat surface and a few small items. The simplicity of the game makes it very appealing. It is a timeless game that has been enjoyed by many for generations, and it is easy to see why. You can learn more about traditional Korean games on our site, and perhaps try another one, too.

The renewed interest from Squid Game Season 2 means more people are discovering this fun pastime. It is a way to connect with a piece of Korean culture. You can play it with friends, or just by yourself to practice. It is a game that, in some respects, offers a quiet challenge. It is a pleasant way to spend some time, really.

Frequently Asked Questions about Squid Game Gonggi

How do you play Gonggi from Squid Game?

Gonggi involves five rounds, each with a different way to pick up stones. You toss one stone up, then quickly pick up a set number of stones from the ground, catching the tossed stone before it lands. The rounds progress from picking up one stone at a time to picking up all four at once. The final round is about catching all five stones on the back of your hand and then in your palm. For a visual guide, you can watch a video that shows you how to play gonggi, a traditional Korean game also known as Korean jacks or seven stones, like this one: How to Play Gonggi. This page, Gonggi Game Rules, also provides a detailed breakdown.

Is Gonggi a real Korean game?

Yes, gonggi is a very real and traditional Korean children's game. It has been played for many generations. It is a popular playground game in Korea. The game's appearance in Squid Game Season 2 brought it to a much wider audience, but it has been a part of Korean culture for a very long time, actually. It is a genuine piece of their heritage.

What are Gonggi stones?

Gonggi stones are the small pieces used to play the game. Traditionally, they were just small, smooth pebbles or stones found on the ground. Today, you can buy sets made from plastic or other materials. These sets often come with five pieces. Some are designed to look exactly like the ones seen in the show, for a more authentic game experience. They are small enough to fit in one hand, which is pretty important for the game's mechanics.

How Many Arms and Tentacles Do Squids Have? - A-Z Animals

Caribbean reef squid | About Sepioteuthis sepioidea - Snorkel Things

Watch Extremely Rare Footage of Giant Squid With 'Thick Arms

Birthday Tribute