How did Korean children play? | 5 Traditional Korean Games

Every country has at least one game enjoyed in childhood. Do you also have memories of playing with friends when you were young? 😃

Korea also has many interesting traditional games that have been passed down for a long time. In this article, we will easily introduce five of the most representative ones.

1. Ttakji-chigi

Ttakji-chigi is a traditional Korean game where players use a paper ttakji (folded paper tile) to flip or push out an opponent's ttakji. It is also known by various names depending on the region, such as Ttangji-chigi, Ttaegi-chigi, or Pyo-chigi.

In the past, as paper was precious, ttakji were made using book covers, hanji (traditional Korean paper), or old linoleum. Later, people also played with large 'Wang-ttakji' (king ttakji) made from calendars or fertilizer bags.

🎮 How to Play

Ttakji-chigi can be enjoyed in various ways, and the representative methods are as follows:

• Flip and Take: Hit the opponent's ttakji to flip it over and take it.
• Throw and Win: Throw the ttakji further or closer to a target point to win.
• Wall Hit: Throw the ttakji against a wall; the one that bounces further wins.
• Push Out: Hit a ttakji inside a circle to push it out and take it.

2. Kite Flying

Kite flying is a traditional game enjoyed in Korea from Lunar New Year's Day until the full moon.

It is known to have originally been used for military purposes, later developing into a game. Records also state that General Kim Yu-sin used kites to suppress a rebellion during the Silla Dynasty.

🎮 How to Play

Since kite flying uses wind, it's important to align with the wind direction. By keeping the kite string taut and adjusting the angle, you can move the kite more freely.

Representative ways to play are as follows:

• Fly High: A game to fly the kite higher and further.
• Trick Flying: A game to move the kite left and right, creating various maneuvers.
• String Cutting: A competitive game where players rub their kite strings to cut the opponent's string.

3. Jegichagi

Jegichagi is a traditional Korean game enjoyed by kicking a jegi with the foot. A jegi is a toy made by wrapping a coin or metal piece with paper or cloth, and making the end into several strands to flutter. It was mainly a game children enjoyed outdoors in winter.

Jegichagi is known to have originated from 'Chukguk,' an old ball-kicking game. During the Joseon Dynasty, it was called 'dyeogi,' which later changed to the current name 'jegi.' Today, jegi made with both metal and plastic are commonly used.

🎮 How to Play

Jegichagi can be enjoyed alone or with multiple people.

• Solo Kicking: Players compete to see how many times they can kick the jegi without letting it drop.
  • Kicking with one foot raised
  • Kicking with both feet
  • Kicking with one leg
  • Kicking with the back of the foot
• Group Kicking: Multiple people stand in a circle, kicking the jegi back and forth. The person who drops it loses.

Jegichagi is a game that helps develop balance and concentration, and the action of supporting the body on one foot and kicking accurately also has the effect of developing leg muscles.

4. Yutnori

Yutnori is a traditional Korean board game where players compete by moving their pieces according to the results of throwing four yut sticks. The goal is to move all pieces around the board and reach the finish line first.

Yutnori is known to have been passed down since the Baekje period and was a representative game enjoyed by many during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is also said that the structure of the yut board was modeled after the Big Dipper revolving around the North Star.

🎮 How to Play

To play Yutnori, you need yut sticks, a yut board, and game pieces. Two or more people play, divided into teams.

• Move your pieces according to the results of throwing the yut sticks (Do, Gae, Geol, Yut, Mo).
• You can move your pieces individually or gather pieces from the same team to move them together.
• If you land on a space occupied by an opponent's piece, you capture that piece and get to throw again.
• You win by moving all four of your pieces around the board to the final destination.

5. Tuho

Tuho is a traditional Korean game enjoyed by throwing arrows into a pot. It was originally a game started by royalty and aristocrats to cultivate their minds and bodies and relieve tension. It has been passed down since the Baekje and Goguryeo periods, and was widely enjoyed among the royal court and yangban (nobility) during the Joseon Dynasty.

🎮 How to Play

To play Tuho, you need a tuho pot and arrows. Depending on the situation, you can also use jars, containers, or even chopsticks instead.

• Throw arrows towards the pot from a certain distance (approx. 1m).
• Each person throws a set number of arrows, earning points for each one that goes in.
• The person with the highest score wins.

Tuho is a game that requires concentration and calmness to accurately hit the target, and it also helps develop patience.

Besides these, there are various other traditional games in Korea, but in this article, we have selected and presented five of the most representative ones. A major charm of Korean traditional games is that anyone can enjoy them with simple tools and rules.

It will also be an interesting experience to recall what traditional games exist in your country and compare cultures 😊