South Korea’s recent frenzied television offering Squid Game has brought new life to children’s games. Following in the cult footsteps of Korean movies Parasite and Minari, the television series, Squid Game’s terrifying premise revolves around a contest where players, all of whom are in deep financial debt, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children’s games for the chance to win a large financial prize.
Squid Game was released worldwide in September 2021 and has become one of the most watched series on Netflix to date. It has amassed critical acclaim and international attention reaching the top-viewed program in 94 countries and attracting more than 142-million member households during its first four weeks from launch.
For those who want to experience the thrill of the locations, Squid Game’s four main filming locations in South Korea were Daejeon, Central South Korea; Seongapdo Island (off Incheon); Ssangmun-dong, Seoul; Incheon International Airport and there are mentions of Jeju Island, DMZ and the neighbourhood of Daehakro in Seoul.
- The cinematography may lead you to think Squid Games used CGI to create the unique locations, but they are actually filmed in real-life sets in the city of Daejeon. Daejeon in central South Korea is the fifth largest metropolis and a major transport hub. Super fans may have noticed that many of the series’ cast have posted behind the scenes and geo-tagged Daejeon.
Daejeon is considered an important science and research centre as home to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) known as the ‘MIT of South Korea’, so science-lovers will feel at home here. The National Science Museum will round out the trip taking a whole day to enjoy but will keep the kids entertained. After a long day on your feet, rest them in Yuseong Hot Springs where you can soak in a free outdoor 39 degree, springwater, foot bath, thought to cure everything from skin concerns to arthritis.
Looking for more? Daejeon O-World is a vibrant theme park built around the former Daejeon Zoo. It combines Flower Land, a large complex of beautiful gardens, Zoo Land – home to more than 600 animals and Joy Land geared toward kids, with rides, all-season sledging, and a water park.
- The Red Light, Green Light game featured in the nail-biting premier episode takes place on an island. The island of Seongapdo featured, is however semi-uninhabited, with only four people living there. Shaped like a crescent it doesn’t have regular boats ferrying passengers to and from, so plan ahead if you’re considering visiting. There are many other islands off the coast of Incheon including Deokjeokdo, which is one of the prettiest and most relaxed. Ideal for beach side lazing and hiking, you can visit as a day trip from Incheon or stay overnight.
- The Gganbu (Kkanbu) episode, which some consider the most heart wrenching, has the Game set-up in a small neighbourhood likened to Ssangmun-dong in Dobong-gu district in Seoul. Ssangmun-dong is also where the protagonist, Gi-hun is from and the seafood shop of Sang-woo’s mother is also located in Baekwoon Market, also found in Ssangmun-dong. The neighbourhood is renowned for its snack bars offering classic Korean street food such as tteokbokki and Korean fried chicken and is well worth exploring.
- In Squid Game’s final episode, we see Gi-hun at the airport with the Game’s calling card in his hand after having snatched it away earlier. This was filmed at Incheon International Airport – it’s South Korea’s largest and the main gateway for tourists. Relax at one of the airport’s Luxe Lounges either before heading into Incheon or before your flight – there are eight lounges to choose from.
A number of other locations are mentioned in Squid Game. In the Gganbu episode, the North Korean defector Sae-byeok says she has always dreamed of visiting Jeju Island – a UNESCO Natural Heritage Listed island. Known for its pristine and scenic landscapes it is best explored by food on the Jeju Olle Trail that takes you around the circumference of the island or by bike. Take some time to explore the Cheonjeyeonpokpo Falls, extinct volcano (Hallasan Mountain), the coastline and the Geomunoreum Lava Tube.
If you’re keen to understand the history between North and South Korea and why one of the main characters chose to defect from North Korea, you can head to South Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Learn about the history of Korean War and the Cold War, visit the Joint Security Area, Observation Decks or the Peace Park.
If you’re looking for a Squid Games sugar thrill after watching episode three, you could try making Dalgona candy, a traditional Korean sugar candy tasting of honeycomb toffee, made with sugar and baking soda. Alternatively head to Daehakro, one of Seoul’s trendiest neighbourhoods where street vendors have been making and selling the candy known as ‘ppopgi’ since the 1960s. The neighbourhood of Daehakro is also known as Korea’s ‘Broadway’ and has all kinds of cultural and performing arts such as musicals, plays and non-verbal performances.
For more information on South Korea go to visitkorea.org.au
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