Children’s Games featured in the Hit Netflix Show, Squid Game: Jegi Chagi

Think you have fast reflexes? Good balance? The ability to keep a small object in the air using just your feet? Then you might have what it takes to master Jegi Chagi
(제기차기), a traditional game in Korea that closely resembles the well-known hacky sack!  

Originally, Jegi Chagi wasn’t just a fun pastime; it was a training exercise for soldiers, helping them develop agility and foot coordination. This centuries-old game is all about kicking a Jegi (제기) into the air and keeping it from hitting the ground. It’s simple, fun, and can be played solo or with friends. Jegi Chagi is especially popular in the winter, particularly during Lunar New Year (Seollal), when people challenge each other to see who can keep the Jegi in the air the longest.

 U.S. Navy crew playing Jegi Chagi with Korean students. Wikipedia

Anyway, let’s get into the rules!

 The rules are super simple, but don’t be fooled—it takes serious practice and skill to keep the Jegi bouncing! Here are the rules of different variations of Jegi.

I. Solo Play

The goal is straightforward: keep the Jegi in the air for as long as possible using only your foot.

Rules:

 1. Hold the Jegi in one hand and drop it.

 2. Kick it up using the inside of your foot (usually near the arch or ankle).

 3. Kick it back up once it comes down towards your feet before it touches the floor, then repeat!

 4. Count each successful kick—whoever gets the highest number wins.

II. Multiplayer Battle (Play with a group of friends)

 1. Players stand in a circle.

 2. The first player kicks the Jegi into the air and then passes it to the next player.

 3. If a player fails to keep it in the air or drops it, they lose a point.

 4. The game continues until only one player remains or until a set number of rounds is completed.

III. 1 vs 1 (A competitive version often played in Korean schoolyards.)

Rules:

 1. Two players face off.

 2. Each player takes a turn kicking the Jegi to themself as many times as possible without dropping it.

 3. If a player drops it, their turn ends.

 4. The player with the highest number of successful kicks in a single turn wins.

 Now you’re ready to play! Next time you’re looking for a fun challenge, grab a Jegi, gather some friends, and see who can keep it in the air the longest. Who knows? You might just be a natural!

Next month’s article will feature Paengi Chigi!