What Korean Games Are Your Idols Playing?

Whenever I watch my favorite Kpop groups play Korean games on variety shows, I wonder how they all know how to play them. From catchy chants to strange interactions with each other, these games usually cause the utmost chaos.

Behind all the chaos, I could never really understand how each game was played. Here is a guide to some of the familiar games that idols play on variety shows that leave us grinning from ear to ear:

Paper Kiss Game

Starting off simple, we have one of the idols’ most dreaded popular Korean games: the paper kiss game. To play, you simply pass along a sheet of paper, but instead of using your hands, you use your mouth. The Korean game may require some strategy and practice. The key is to inhale to keep the paper on your lips and gently exhale as you pass it on to the next person.

Dibidibidip

Not to be confused with SHINee Minho’s popular rap, Dibidibidip is one of the Korean games to play with everyone! The appointed leader tries to get their opponent to copy their gesture. Before a gesture is made, the leader must start by saying “dibidibidip.” When the leader says “dip,” both the leader and opponent make one of three gestures. If the opponent makes the same gesture as the appointed leader, the opponent loses the Korean game, and the next person goes up against the leader.

Frying Pan Game

The Frying Pan Game is one of my favorite fun Korean games because of the catchy chant in the beginning. This game consists of 4 beats. Beat 1: Pat thighs 4 times. Beat 2: Clap 4 times. Beat 3: Pat thighs twice, then clap twice. Beat 4: Pat thighs once, clap once, right thumbs-up sign, left thumbs-up sign.

The opening chant goes like this: "Ting, tingtingting (Beat 1), Tang, tangtangtang (Beat 2), Ting ting tang tang (Beat 3), Hoo ra i pan no ri (Beat 4)." Repeating beat 4 for each round, you call out a name and say a number 1 to 4. The person whose name you called out must say their own name however often you said, keeping the same beat. The one to become offbeat loses.

007 Bang

The 007 Bang is one of the Korean games that need more participants. You need at least 5 players to start the game. Someone starts by drawing a circle or square in the air, then pointing to four people, representing 0, 0, 7, and Bang, respectively.

The person who represents Bang then points to another person in the group, indicating that that person has been “shot.” The one who gets shot must freeze, while the ones sitting on either side of the victim must put up both hands. If the victim does not freeze, or if the ones sitting next to the victim do not put their hands up, they lose and enjoy getting hit by the rest of the players.

Dalgona / Ppopgi Challenge

Dalgona candy emerged in the 1960s and has since become part of South Korean childhood experiences and Korean culture. Squid Game’s worldwide success pushed the humble street sweet and challenge to the main theaters. Now, our favorite idols, like BTS members, have been playing this Squid Game challenge! It started with kids eating dalgona and competing over who could extract the stamped shape well, with vendors rewarding kids who took the shape out without breaking it. Nowadays, Kpop idols try to replicate the game, sometimes even making the candy themselves.

If you are interested in creating the candy from scratch, you can try it at home with the BT21 Dalgona Making Set. Instead of the regular star, umbrella, and square shapes, you can print BT21 characters. Want to try the candy instead? The TinyTAN Dalgona candies are traditionally made, offering a crispy texture, and you can pair them with tea or any drink.

Although these Korean games often show how chaotic our faves can be, we still love them no matter what. If you are interested in more Korean culture and items that represent South Korea, get traditional items and Korean board games at The Daebak Company!

Did we miss any other popular Korean games you have seen your idols play? Tell us in the comments!

Written by Sarah Wong. Cover Image: EXO (SM Entertainment)