It was only a matter of time before real-life versions of Netflix’s Squid Game began popping up. But for all the places to pop up, one would not expect the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi. The event was listed on the KCC site on September 30, 2021. There will be two sessions, with the first kicking off at 5:30 pm and the second at 7:30 pm. Two teams of 15 participants will play in each of their respective sessions. The event is only available to UAE residents. Korean nationals residing in the UAE are not applicable to participate in the event. It should also go without saying that contestants won’t be eliminated in such a brutal fashion.
“Green light!”
The games listed are Red Light, Green Light, Dalgona candy challenge, Marbles, and Ddakji.
Red Light, Green Light – Â Red Light, Green Light is one of the most well-known children’s games out there. One of the event’s staff, wearing a pink triangle, circle, or square costume will stand at one end of the area and make the call-outs. The players, wearing t-shirts featuring the show’s logo, must make it to the other end of the area without being called out.
Dalgona Candy Challenge – Dalgona is the South Korean name for a honeycomb toffee made from melted sugar and baking soda. It is often made in a circular pan with a shape stamped in the middle. If patrons are able to eat around the shape and get a “clean break”, some vendors will give another dalgona for free. In Squid Game, four shapes are available to players: triangle, circle, star, and umbrella.
Marbles –Â Marbles was a bit more open-ended than other games. Players were given 10 marbles each. Rather than having to play a specific game, they were paired with one other player and told to take the other players marbles in a non-violent manner before time is up. Players could create their own game and the episode featured several classic and newer ways to play Marbles.
Ddakji –Â Ddakji is most similar to Pogs. The South Korean game is played using folded paper tiles. Two players will each pick a tile. The idea is to throw their tile down with enough force to flip the other player’s tile.
Squid Game has become a worldwide phenomenon and is on track to be Netflix’s most-watched show of all time. Because the games are simple and many that we’ve played as children, I would expect to see more events like the one hosted at the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi pop up in the future. After all, a real-life Squid Game without all the messy murder is nothing but a recipe for fun.
