Annyeong Chingus!

Before the invention of PS 1 to 100, League of Legends, and the great drug called “Candy Crush,” humans had the means to entertain their minds and have fun. Games have existed for thousands of years, and they reflect our history, culture, and, in some cases, survival. The Olympics didn't just fall from the sky.

South Korea boasts a rich tapestry of traditional games, often played during festivals, sports events, and on your favorite K-idol YouTube page. Here's a look at some of the most notable historic games that continue to be celebrated in South Korea today.

Yut Nori (윷놀이)

Also called Cheoksa or Sahui, this is one of the most popular traditional board games in Korea. It is the official game played during the Seollal or Korean Lunar New Year.

The game goes as far back as during the period of the three Korean kingdoms. The game is made up of a rectangular board made from stitched cloths and 4 yut sticks are used to determine the movement of tokens or mal on the board. Stones, coins, and chess beads can be used as mal.

The yut sticks act like dice cubes and determine the advancement of the players on the board. There are 5 distinct gameplays you can get with a yut stick: do, ge, geol, yut, and mo. These gameplays distribute points from 1 to 5.

Yut Nori can be played between two or more teams, and beyond entertainment, strategy, and spending quality time with friends and family, it was also used for predicting the future

Ddakji (딱지)

All my squid game lovers gather around because this game is for you.

Ddakji is a traditional Korean game that involves flipping a folded paper or ddakji to try to flip an opponent's tile over. This game gained worldwide recognition after it was featured on the popular Netflix series “Squid Game”

According to reports, it has been played since the Joseon dynasty around 1392 to 1897. However, since paper was scarce then, any paper-like material was used to play the game. Normally, thick paper is folded into square and rectangular shapes, but often times it can be shaped into hexagons and pentagons, and any foldable material can be used. Some ddakji are made from metal and plastics so it can be reusable.

There are various variants of the game. The most popular is Neomgyeomeokgi which is the popular flipping of your opponent's ddakji. Others include: Nallyeomeokgi (throwing your ddakji the farthest from your opponent), Byeokchigi (bouncing your ddakji off a wall and getting it to land the furthest away from the wall), Mireonaegi (using your ddakji to push your opponent's out of the game boundary) and finally Bureomeokgi (blowing wind out of your mouth to move your ddakji to the farthest)

Ddakji is a very simple game but it can be very fun. Just don't get mad when your little cousin beats you.

Tuho (투호)

Tuho originated from China but became popular in Korea during the Goryeo kingdom around 1116. According to history, it was given to King Yejong of Goryeo as a gift from Chinese Emperor Song and became quite popular among royals and the upper class.

The rule of the game is straightforward: stand 10 paces away and throw arrows into a vase or canister. The more arrows you get into the vase, the higher your score.

Funny enough, during the Joseon dynasty, scholars sought to ban the game because they considered it frivolous. However, it was defended by King Jungjong who described it as a creation of Confucianism. It seems they had a slow day in court for this to be considered as a topic, right?

Tuho is now a popular game during Seollal and Chuseok and is often used as a drinking game as well.

Jegichagi (제기차기)

This is a very popular traditional outdoor game where players have to kick a jegi and keep it aloft in the air and whoever does this the longest wins.

Although there are no specific records of jegichagi in ancient history, it is a popular game during Korean festivals. However, it is said to have been influenced by the Chinese game of “Cuju” where players kick a ball into a hoop while ensuring it does not touch the ground.

A jegi is similar to a badminton shuttlecock but is made by putting a hanji paper through a small coin. However, this has changed over time. It can be played in an individual competition and as a group as well.

However, unlike the individual competition where the person who keeps it in the air the longest wins, in the group style, the jegi is passed from player to player and the last player who doesn't drop the jegi wins.

Also in a bid to keep traditional games alive, jegichagi is a compulsory part of PE courses for 3rd to 4th grade in Korean schools. I don't even want to imagine the cramps when I try it. Sorry kids, it's for history.

Neolttwigi (널뛰기)

Neolttwigi is a traditional Korean game typically played by children and women, especially during festivals.

It is very similar to the see-saw game except the two players standing on opposite ends of a wooden board (neol) and each jump to propel the other person in the air.

It was believed that women from the royal class developed this game to help them see outside their house walls, as there were restrictions that prevented them from going out of their compound.

Neolttwigi was often used as a form of entertainment for events and festivals as well where they are performed with acrobatic stunts to a cheering audience. So, if you're scared of heights, think twice and enjoy the show. I know I will.

Neolttwigi is often played during popular festivals and celebrations like Dano, Chuseok, and Seollal.

Games help foster community, promote physical activity, and preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations. It's quite commendable that despite how South Korea continues to modernize, efforts are still made to preserve the traditional games as a means of protecting the country's rich cultural heritage.

So, which game will you be trying first?