In the high-stakes world of Squid Game, survival often comes down to a deceptively simple childhood game: carving a shape out of a brittle candy. But beyond the drama, this iconic treat—dalgona—offers a sweet glimpse into South Korea’s rich cultural tapestry.
What Is the Trend? The Viral’ Squid Game’ Cookie Craze
When Squid Game debuted, it became an instant cultural phenomenon. Among its many memorable challenges, the dalgona candy game stood out. Contestants had to carefully carve a shape—like a star, triangle, or the dreaded umbrella—from the fragile candy without cracking it. The scene’s blend of nostalgia and high-stakes drama struck a chord with audiences worldwide.
Soon, the “Squid Game cookie” became a global obsession. Social media exploded with videos of people attempting the challenge, often with hilarious results. The candy’s rise to fame turned it into a symbol of the show’s cultural impact, blurring the line between traditional food and pop culture.
What Is Dalgona Candy?
Before it became a Netflix sensation, dalgona candy (also called ppopgi) was a nostalgic treat in South Korea. Popular in the 1970s and 80s, it was sold by street vendors outside schools, enticing children with its caramelized sweetness and playful stamped designs. Kids would eagerly nibble around the edges, trying to preserve the shape without breaking it—a precursor to the viral dalgona game.
The candy’s simplicity—made with just sugar and baking soda—reflects the ingenuity of street food culture. Its resurgence through Squid Game sparked nostalgia for older generations and introduced younger audiences to a cherished piece of Korean culinary history.
The Rise of Homemade Dalgona Candy
With the popularity of ‘Squid Game,’ dalgona candy has gone from a nostalgic street treat to a kitchen experiment for millions worldwide. Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have been flooded with videos of fans recreating the candy—and often hilariously failing during the carving challenge. This newfound interest has turned dalgona-making into a global trend, with people of all ages trying their hand at the simple yet tricky recipe.
Sue from My Korean Kitchen offers helpful advice for beginners attempting dalgona honeycomb toffee at home. In her recipe, she emphasizes the importance of temperature control: “Make sure to melt the sugar slowly over low heat to avoid burning it. Stir constantly for the best texture.” She also notes that timing is key: “Once you add baking soda, you need to work quickly before the mixture hardens. Preparation is everything!”
Dalgona Candy and the Power of Nostalgia
The dalgona candy challenge wasn’t just a memorable moment in Squid Game but also a feat of behind-the-scenes ingenuity. In an interview with the cast on Netflix Korea’s Youtube channel, writer-director Hwang Dong Hyuk revealed that the scene’s realism was thanks to meticulous preparation—including having a dalgona expert on set to create fresh candies for each take. According to Hwang, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the fragile candy retained its authenticity during filming.
Even the now-iconic “licking the candy” strategy had roots in Hwang’s personal experiences. He shared that he had perfected the technique to win big prizes as a child: “I wanted to test and see if it really worked,” Hwang explained. “I brought some to my hotel room the day before and licked it alone all night.” He shared that it was a trick he used when he was young. “It’s how I won the grand prizes—which was not good news for the dalgona guy!”
This personal connection added an authentic touch to the scene, blending Hwang’s own nostalgia with a high-stakes game that resonated with audiences worldwide.
When a Childhood Snack Becomes a Global Trend
Dalgona candy is more than just a viral treat. It’s a cultural artifact that reflects the creativity and nostalgia of South Korean food culture. From its humble beginnings as a street snack sold outside schools to its global debut in Squid Game, dalgona candy shows how something as simple as sugar and baking soda can carry layers of meaning.
The candy’s rise highlights how food, amplified by media, can transcend borders to become a shared cultural phenomenon. Whether as part of the “Squid Game candy” challenge or as a window into Korean history, dalgona candy demonstrates the unique power of food to connect people across time and culture.
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