You remember the subway scene. It’s etched into the collective brain of anyone who watched Netflix in 2021. Gong Yoo—looking impossibly sharp in a suit—approaches a desperate Seong Gi-hun. He pulls out two folded squares of paper, one red and one blue. This is the Squid Game paper flipping game, and while it looked like a simple way to win 100,000 won (or get slapped into oblivion), it’s actually a centuries-old Korean pastime called Ddakji.
Most people outside of Korea had never seen it before. Honestly, it looked a bit like a lethal version of Pogs from the 90s. But the cultural weight of this game goes way beyond a high-stakes subway encounter. It’s about physics, childhood nostalgia, and a very specific type of playground frustration.
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What is Ddakji?
Basically, Ddakji is a traditional Korean game played with folded paper tiles. The goal is simple: you throw your tile at your opponent's tile, which is lying flat on the ground. If yours hits theirs with enough force and at the right angle to flip it over, you win. In the show, winning meant money. Losing meant a bruise on the cheek. In real life, kids usually just played for keeps, collecting their friends' tiles like trophies.
The tiles are traditionally made from hanji, which is sturdy, handmade Korean paper. However, most kids today just use whatever they can find—origami paper, newspaper, or even pages ripped out of old workbooks. The weight matters. If it's too light, it won't flip anything. If it's too heavy, it's hard to throw with precision.
There’s a common fan theory that the colors of the Squid Game paper flipping game determine your role in the games. Blue for players, red for guards. While Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show’s creator, has acknowledged the theory, he’s also pointed out that it’s based on a classic Korean ghost story. In that legend, a ghost in a bathroom offers you red or blue toilet paper. Regardless of what you choose, the outcome is usually gruesome.
The Physics of the Flip
Why is it so hard to flip that piece of paper? You saw Gi-hun struggling. He was throwing it with everything he had, yet it just bounced off. It’s because Ddakji isn't just about raw strength. It’s about air pressure and the "sweet spot."
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When you hurl the paper down, you’re trying to create a sudden gust of wind underneath the opponent's tile while simultaneously hitting the edge. If you hit it dead center, you’re just pinning it to the floor. You need to hit the corner or the edge at a slight angle. This creates a momentary vacuum or a lift that overcomes the gravity and friction holding the tile down.
Professional Ddakji players—yes, they exist in a casual sense—know that the fold of the paper is the secret. A "fat" Ddakji is harder to flip because its center of gravity is weird. A flat, thin one is easier to get under.
How to Fold Your Own Ddakji
If you want to try the Squid Game paper flipping game yourself, you don’t need much. Just two rectangular pieces of paper. They should be the same size.
- Fold both pieces into thirds lengthwise so you have two long strips.
- Place one strip vertically and the other horizontally over it, forming a cross.
- Fold the ends of the bottom strip over the top strip. You’ll want to fold the corners into triangles first.
- Tucking the last flap into the "pocket" created by the previous folds is the most important part. If it’s loose, it’ll fly apart on impact.
It needs to be tight. Solid. If it feels like a little brick of paper, you’ve done it right.
Why This Game Was the Perfect Hook
The Squid Game paper flipping game served a specific narrative purpose. It wasn't just a random choice. It established the "contract." In the show, the recruitment process is all about consent. Gi-hun chooses to keep playing, even after being humiliated.
The game is repetitive. It's grueling. It's binary—you win or you lose. This mirrors the entire structure of the 456-player tournament. It also highlights the wealth gap. To the recruiter, 100,000 won is nothing. To Gi-hun, it’s worth being assaulted for. That power dynamic is the core of the show’s social commentary.
Interestingly, the Ddakji scene was filmed in the Incheon subway system. The cold, sterile environment of the station contrasted with the childhood game, making it feel even more surreal. It’s a game of the past played in a setting of the modern, disconnected present.
Beyond the Screen: Ddakji's Real History
While Squid Game made it a global phenomenon, Ddakji has been a staple of Korean culture for a long time. It surged in popularity during the post-war era. When toys were scarce and expensive, paper was accessible.
It’s often compared to the Japanese game Menko. Menko uses cards printed with images of heroes or monsters. Ddakji is more about the construction of the object itself. There's a certain pride in having a "heavy hitter" Ddakji that no one can flip.
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In modern Korea, you’ll still see it on variety shows like Running Man. The cast members often get incredibly competitive over it. It’s a source of instant drama because a flip can happen at any moment. One lucky strike can end a 20-minute standoff.
Common Misconceptions
People think the red and blue tiles are different weights. In the show, they weren't. They were identical. The "rigged" nature of the game wasn't in the paper; it was in the skill gap. The recruiter had clearly practiced for thousands of hours. He knew exactly where to strike.
Another misconception is that you need a huge "thwack" sound to win. While a loud noise is satisfying, the most effective flips often come from a precise, glancing blow that catches the air.
Actionable Steps for Mastering the Game
If you're planning a Squid Game themed party or just want to beat your friends at a bar, here is how you actually win.
First, look at the target. Most Ddakji tiles aren't perfectly flat; they have a slight curve or a "crown" from where the paper is folded. You want to aim for the side that is slightly lifted off the ground.
Second, work on your flick. It’s not a baseball pitch. It’s a downward snap. Your arm should move in a straight vertical line. If you throw at an angle, the tile will just slide across the floor without flipping.
Third, use heavy paper. Cardstock is better than printer paper. If you're playing by "traditional" rules, you can sometimes get away with putting a thin piece of cardboard inside the folds to give it more mass, though some might call that cheating.
- Practice the "Drop": Start by just dropping your tile from a foot up to see how it lands.
- Target the Edges: Never hit the center. Aim for the corners.
- Check the Surface: Playing on carpet is impossible. You need a hard floor—hardwood, tile, or concrete—to get the necessary bounce.
The Squid Game paper flipping game isn't just a prop. It's a lesson in persistence and physics. Whether you're playing for won or just for fun, the mechanics remain the same. Just maybe skip the slapping part. It’s much more enjoyable when the only thing getting hurt is your opponent's pride.
To get started, find two pieces of cardstock and follow the folding method described above. Spend ten minutes practicing your vertical snap against a flat surface. You'll quickly find that the "pop" of a successful flip is one of the most satisfying feelings in gaming.