Squid Game Travel Guide: The Survival Game That Took the World by Storm & Korean Retro Culture Tour
Released in 2021, the Netflix original series Squid Game depicts the life-and-death struggles of people participating in a mysterious survival game with a staggering 45.6 billion won prize at stake. Starring Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, and Jung Ho-yeon, this series set an unprecedented all-time record for Netflix, racking up 1.65 billion viewing hours in just its first 28 days of release.
Furthermore, it achieved the remarkable feat of being the first non-English language series to win 6 Emmy Awards, including Best Director and Best Lead Actor. By transforming innocent childhood games into a microcosm of a brutally competitive society, it delivered a fresh shock and profound philosophical questions to viewers worldwide.
The Secret to Netflix's #1 All-Time Hit: Cruel Human Nature Within Simple Rules
The reason this masterpiece recorded a global mega-hit transcending language and culture is because the rules of the games—like 'Red Light, Green Light' or 'Tug-of-War'—are incredibly intuitive and simple. In these games, which anyone can understand without complex explanations, the participants are forced into choices of life and death.
The visual contrast between the participants in green tracksuits, the masked guards in pink uniforms, and the pastel-toned sets delivers a visual shock reminiscent of reading a bizarre, twisted fairy tale. The heavy message that the cold-heartedness of real society is far scarier than the cruel games themselves drew strong empathy from global audiences.
A Metaphor for Korea's Retro Culture and Extreme Competitive Society
The games featured in the drama, such as Dalgona (honeycomb candy), Ttakji (paper flipping), and marbles, represent typical retro culture enjoyed by Korean children in the past in alleyways or stationary stores in front of schools. These innocent nostalgic props were used as a mirror to reflect the extreme wealth gap and the brutal desires of adults striving for money.
To foreign travelers, the scenery of Korea's alleyways and small markets goes beyond just being quaint spaces; it serves as a fascinating cultural code to understand a cross-section of the fiercely competitive Korean society.
A Squid Game Tour Course for Travelers to Korea
Lightly experience the games from the drama that became global memes and Korea's retro daily life right in the heart of the city.
The Dalgona Challenge on the Streets of Myeong-dong
Experience the Korean street snack 'Dalgona' for yourself—the very candy protagonist Seong Gi-hun scraped at with a needle while sweating profusely. While walking down Myeong-dong, Seoul's busiest shopping district, you can easily spot Dalgona street vendors stamping out shapes like umbrellas, stars, and triangles. Try to separate the shape without breaking it, just like in the game, and capture a fun, memorable photo.
Exploring Bukchon Hanok Village and Retro Stationery Stores
If you want to feel the nostalgic alleyway vibe of old Korea summoned by the drama, take a stroll through the Bukchon Hanok Village or the alleyways of Seochon. If you discover an old stationery store (Munbanggu) or a retro prop shop hidden in the corner of a neighborhood, you can look at vintage toys like Ttakji and glass marbles, bringing the nostalgia of the drama into reality.
Observing the Subway Scenery at Itaewon Station
Observe the scenery of the subway stations, which is where the Ttakji game first started and where the fierce daily lives of Koreans pass by. In particular, walking through the multicultural and dynamic streets near Itaewon Station—where Netflix once installed a massive Squid Game pop-up set—is an excellent way to experience the fast pace of modern Seoul.
Travel Precautions
Since Dalgona, sold on the streets of Myeong-dong or Hongdae, is a snack made by melting sugar and heating it over a fire, freshly made ones can be extremely hot, so please be careful to avoid burns.
Also, when exploring the small alleyways of traditional Hanok villages, keep in mind that these are residential areas for everyday citizens. Please be mindful not to speak loudly or litter carelessly. In crowded transfer subway stations, it is good etiquette to refrain from taking photos to avoid obstructing foot traffic.
Key Summary
- Released in 2021, this overwhelming hit took the #1 spot in Netflix's all-time viewing hours and won 6 Emmy Awards.
- It critiques the chilling dark side of a competitive capitalist society by transforming innocent traditional Korean childhood games into a brutal survival game.
- Buy a Dalgona from a street vendor in Myeong-dong, Seoul, and personally experience the thrilling game of carving out the shape with a needle.
- We recommend a course strolling through the old alleys of Seochon or Bukchon Hanok Village to appreciate Korea's unique retro daily life and mood.
- When consuming street snacks, be mindful of hygiene and burns, and please be considerate not to block others' paths in crowded subway stations.
▶ Check 'Squid Game' info on Wikipedia
▶ Visit Korea Official Travel Guide