What is gonggi? How to play and all you need to know amid growing global buzz following Squid Game 2 release 

Squid Game season 2 officially premiered on Netflix on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Known for its gripping storyline, the show follows 456 contestants competing in various games for survival, all in pursuit of a life-changing cash prize.

In Squid Game season 2, the second challenge requires teams of five players to have their legs tied together. They must compete in five mini-games, with each player taking turns to secure victory for their team. These mini-games include Ddakji, Flying Stone, Gonggi, Spinning Top, and Jegi.

In essence, gonggi is a playground game that involves throwing, catching, and maneuvering five small objects, like stones or dice.

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How to play gonggi?

One of gonggi’s greatest appeals is its accessibility. Players can use small objects like pebbles, beads, or dice. Brightly colored gonggi sets are also widely available for purchase, making the game easy and fun for children to learn.

Searching "gonggi stones" online offers many options, though some may require extended shipping times.

The game is played across five progressively challenging rounds:

1. Round 1: Scatter the stones and pick them up one by one.

2. Round 2: Scatter the stones and collect them two at a time.

3. Round 3: Pick up three stones in one go, followed by the last stone.

4. Round 4: Toss one stone into the air, drop the rest, catch the airborne stone, and gather the remaining four all at once.

5. Round 5a: Balance all five stones on your palm, toss them into the air, and flip your hand to catch them on the backs of your fingers.

6. Round 5b: From the previous position, toss the stones again and catch all five in your palm.

Throughout the game, players must maintain precise hand-eye coordination by tossing and catching stones while performing each task.

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Who is the stunt double who played gonggi as Kang Dae-ho in Squid Game?

In Squid Game season 2, the scene where Kang Ha-neul’s character, Kang Dae-ho, plays the traditional Korean game gonggi was actually filmed using a stunt double, as reported by Chosun Daily on January 1.

The hand double, Park Jong-nam, is a skilled expert in gonggi who gained recognition in 2021 on SBS’s Master of Living for performing a difficult trick with 10 game pieces.

In Squid Game 2, Kang Ha-neul’s character, a charismatic ex-Marine, earns the admiration of his teammates by completing the gonggi game during a high-stakes 5-on-6 match.

Park shared on Instagram on December 26 that he had been contacted to serve as the stunt double just days before his wedding in October 2023.

The production team of Squid Game, having received his details from the Master of Living producers, approached him to assist with a scene involving gonggi.

“It wasn’t difficult since the entire sequence was shot in one take, but it was nerve-wracking to perform with the actors,” he said.

Despite his busy schedule preparing for his wedding, Park agreed and traveled to Daejeon the day after being contacted. He mentioned that upon arrival, he had to sign confidentiality agreements and was invited to a lunch attended by Lee Byung-hun, Lee Jung-jae, Kang Ha-neul, and the director.

Park expressed surprise at dining with such prominent actors, who even congratulated him on his upcoming wedding.