January 8, 2025
SEOUL – Come March, the class of elementary school teacher Im Seon-ah sees students sitting on the floor in groups of four to six, tossing, throwing and catching plastic stones in a game of “gonggi.”
Though the game is trending following its appearance in “Squid Game 2,” for Im, it is a time-old classic that has helped numerous young kids develop hand-eye coordination and social skills while having fun.
“After coming back to school from vacation, kids often feel out of place and aren’t sure how to connect with others. But as they play the game, they naturally start chatting with one another, which helps them bond once the game ends,” she said.
She stressed the educational benefits of gonggi, noting it helps children with problem-solving skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
“Trying to remember the order and plan your moves gets your brain going. The game is tough if you don’t focus, so even the kids who usually get distracted end up concentrating more as they play,” she explained.
The traditional Korean pastime of gonggi is played with five small, round stones. It involves tossing one stone into the air and trying to pick up the four others scattered on the ground before catching the falling stone.
The game is divided into five stages, initially snatching one stone with each toss, then advancing to two, three and four. In the final stage, a player must throw all five stones into the air and catch them on the back of their hand. If the player accidentally drops a stone or fails to catch the falling stone, their turn is passed to the next person.
Games resembling gonggi, where players throw and catch small objects, can be found in many other countries.
In the US, a game similar to gonggi is known as “jacks.” In this game, players use small metal or plastic pieces called jacks and a rubber ball. The goal is to toss the jacks on the ground, then bounce the ball and try to pick up a specific number of jacks before catching the ball.
Games like “bes tas” in Kazakhstan and “lagori” in India also share similarities with gonggi, particularly in the use of small objects for throwing and grabbing, though the rules and gameplay differ slightly.
In Korea, gonggi is believed to have originated during the Joseon Dynasty. A painting titled “gonggi nori (playing gonggi)” by Yoon Deok-hee — a famous genre painter from the late Joseon era (1392-1910) known for depicting scenes of everyday life — shows three boys sitting on the ground playing gonggi.
Gonggi was one of five traditional Korean games featured in episode four of “Squid Game 2,” alongside ttakjichigi (card flipping), biseokchigi (stone slab flipping), paengichigi (spinning tops), and jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking).
Among these, gonggi has become the standout hit partly due to its easy accessibility. It doesn’t require much space, making it perfect for killing time, and can be played with any small, round object on hand, such as stones, pebbles or even erasers.
A search for gonggi on TikTok returns numerous videos of “Squid Game” fans worldwide attempting the game using plastic stones, seeds or dice.
One user on social platform X wrote, “If I were a contestant (in ‘Squid Game 2’), I’d definitely have been eliminated during this game,” while another questioned, “Does anyone have tips for balancing the stones on the back of your hand?”
Some fans have flocked to the 3D printing community “MakerWorld” to learn how to create gonggi stones with the signature circle, square, and triangle symbols from the show.
In stationary shops often found near elementary schools in Seoul, a set of five plastic gonggi stones can go for as little as 700 won, which is less than 50 cents.
Im is one of many Korean teachers who advocate for the traditional game’s educational benefits.
In April 2023, a non-profit organization called the World Speed Gonggi Association was launched by Park Dae-hun, an elementary school teacher in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, to promote a game they developed by modifying the traditional gonggi game.
The association currently consists of 140 members, most of whom are teachers from elementary, middle and high schools across the country.
Speed-gonggi determines the winner based on who completes the game’s five stages fastest, meaning only individual competitions are possible.
Since 2023, the association has been hosting an online speed-gonggi competition every summer. Participants film themselves playing the game and upload the videos, and judges compare total times to rank participants from 1st to 5th place and award prizes.
“I wanted to help students find the joy in playing, instead of being glued to their phones,” Park told The Korea Herald.
“Gonggi doesn’t need much space or equipment, and the game offers lots of educational benefits. I believe keeping score and arranging pebbles can really help boost math skills. We hope this play culture expands throughout the country and helps our children grow mentally healthy”
The classic children’s game is also an effective way for older people to prevent dementia, as it activates both cognitive function and physical coordination.
One can easily find cultural programs that include gonggi at many local senior welfare centers in Korea.
“Gonggi enhances hand-eye coordination by requiring players to focus on both their hand movements and visually tracking the stones. It supports the development of fine motor skills and even enhances balance sense,” said Oh No-kyun, a professor of physical education and educational psychology at Chungcheong University.
“It is a healthy hobby or sport not only for young students but also for older people.”