Gift Guide for Traditional Korean Games

Want to add a little Korean flair to the next family or friends game night? Look no further!

Move over Cranium! So long Monopoly! Nobody wants your headache Chess!

Okay, I admit I still love those games. But variety is the spice of life, right?

And speaking of variety, these traditional Korean games are often played on Korean variety shows!

If you know a fan of K-dramas or Korean variety shows, they will definitely know these games.

And even though they’re “traditional,” there’s nothing old and stodgy about them.

These games are sure to get everyone laughing at themselves and each other!

Here are five traditional Korean games that can easily be played at home;

Traditional Korean Board Game Yut – The game of Yut, yoot, yut nori, or yunnori (윷놀이), is especially popular during Seollal (Korean New Year). And it’s probably the oldest game on this list having started in 57 BCE. The great thing about this game is that there are only needs to be at least two teams or two players, and there is no limit to teams. This makes for a loud rumpus of a time! The link I’ve included for your convenience is to a set that includes the 4 sticks for Yut, coated paperboard game board, and eight game markers. And it includes English instructions. But you can find better directions here. 

Hwa-tu: Korean Flower Card Game – Comprised of 48 sturdy plastic cards, and loads of fun, you’ll soon learn how to play this traditional game. Hwa-tu is the name of the cards themselves, but the game is called Go-Stop, Godori, or Matgo. You can find instructions on how to play here.

Sometimes people gamble money on points. But if you don’t feel like waging money on your game prowess, you could still liven things up by turning it into a drinking game! Because there are even matching Hwa-tu soju shot glasses! Add a bottle of soju for a nice gift set! 😉

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Gonggi Korean Jacks Game – Gonggi (공기) is a popular Korean children’s game. And I must admit, it’s the most frustrating of the games mentioned here. So it’s all the more frustrating when you see elementary school kids dominating it! It’s just like the jacks game we know in the States, but I think this is much more difficult. The attached link is for two cases (7 pieces in each), a mini animal eraser (aren’t they cute?) and a manual on how to play in English in this set. You can also find good instructions here.

Wooden Go Set with Pull-Out Drawers – The Go, or Baduk, set is used to play Alkkagi (알까기). The basic concept is to knock out the opposing sides colored pieces. It seems simple right? But this game is just as complicated as chess. Not only do you have to consider how you’re going to hit it (e.g. flick, push, or shuffle) but also at what angle. Furthermore, just like in chess, you have to consider what moves the opponent will make and how the game will unfold several steps ahead. But there’s something so satisfying about hitting your opponent’s piece off the board that you won’t mind the extra thinking. That’s something chess definitely doesn’t have.  The above set has two storage drawers, which is awesome because there are 181 black and 180 white plastic game pieces to keep contained (plus instructions)! 

Korean Hacky Sack – Korean hacky sack (Jegichagi 제기차기) consists of kicking around a small shuttlecock with feathers or stringy things attached to it. And it’s much more difficult than it looks. But is oh so fun to laugh at yourself when you miss! If you’re a fan of Korean variety shows, then you’ve almost assuredly have witnessed this for yourself. Here’s good instructions on how to play.

Get one or all four for a wild game night Korean style! 😉

Have you played any of these games? Which one is your favorite? Share in the comments!

Need more gift ideas? Check out my other gift guides!