Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (2024)

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Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (1)

  • Since 'Squid Game' was released, TikTokers have been rushing to replicate the show's dalgona candy.
  • The tag #dalgonacandy has nearly a billion views on TikTok.
  • TikTok has also introduced a virtual effect based on the game.

Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (2)

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Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (3)

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Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (4)

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Dalgona has taken over TikTok's For You Page with a little help from breakout Netflix show "Squid Game."

The candy, which is made from sugar and baking soda, has been sold by street vendors in South Korea for decades, and was especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s, according to the South China Morning Post. It's also known as "honeycomb toffee" due to its taste and consistency.

The dalgona candy challenge appears in the third episode of "Squid Game." Before the clock ran out, players needed to use a needle to carve the shapes that are stamped into the candy. If players broke the dalgona and were unable to cut the complete shape out of the brittle candy, they were killed.

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With "Squid Game" continuing to soar in popularity, TikTokers all over the world are paying homage to dalgona candy. In the weeks since the Korean-language series dropped, the #dalgona tag on TikTok has surpassed a billion views, while #dalgonacandy is fast approaching the benchmark with over 990 million views at the time of writing.

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Several TikTok recipes for dalgona, such as those by user Michelle (who shared her mother's recipe) and food vlogger Bakersmann Cookies, have been watched by over 20 million people each.

There are also those who don't just want to try the cookies, but undertake the challenge too — without the deadly consequences, of course. Posting under tags like #dalgonachallenge, #dalgonacandychallenge, and #honeycombchallenge (which have nearly 100 million views combined), thousands of TikTokers are challenging themselves to see whether they'd survive "Squid Game."

To do this, users are arming themselves with toothpicks, needles, and pins to carve shapes like umbrellas and stars out of the candy with varying degrees of success. A lot of these TikToks add to the atmosphere and pay homage to "Squid Game" by featuring now-viral audio from the show's "Red Light, Green Light" challenge.

Some TikTokers' efforts, such as those of user @erictriesit, have become massively viral — with Eric's failed attempt not only amassing over 80 million views, but also garnering a comment from TikTok's official account, whichasked, "If the cookies don't survive what chance do you have?"

For TikTokers who prefer to not get their hands dirty, the app has introduced its own effect based on the fictional challenge — complete with audio from the show. The effect, entitled "Toffee Game," asks creators to use their heads to carve a shape out of the (digital) candy. Since launching, the effect has been used in over 60,000 TikToks.

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"Squid Game," which premiered last month, charts the journey of a group of cash-strapped people who, in their desperation, decide to compete in a competition to win the $38 million jackpot. The competition is comprised of six challenges, all of which are based on traditional children's games. The penalty for losing is death.

As the dalgona challenge continues to make its mark on social media, the craze hasn't gone unnoticed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator and director of "Squid Game." Talking to The Korea Times, Hwang said, "The production crew and I would joke about our series starting a dalgona craze, like how Netflix's Kingdom did with the gat ― a traditional Korean hat ― but I'm astounded that it actually happened."

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Watch: How the famous dalgona candy from 'Squid Game' is made

Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (5)

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Dalgona candy has taken over TikTok because of 'Squid Game' (2024)

FAQs

Is dalgona in Squid Game? ›

As fans of the original Squid Game series are well aware, looks can be deceiving when it comes to dalgona, the traditional South Korean sweet treat at the center of the show's iconic second game.

What is the squid game Dalgona Candy Challenge? ›

Now the Squid Game challenge or Dalgona challenge is to remove the inner shape from the outer part without the inner shape cracking at all. In the Squid Game series, the participants are given a needle to do this.

Why is Dalgona candy so popular? ›

Dalgona appeared in an episode of the Netflix series Squid Game, with a deadly version of the dalgona challenge being the second game played in the series. The success and international popularity of the show led to a revival of the candy's popularity in South Korea along with the rising prevalence around the world.

Why is everyone talking about Dalgona candy? ›

Social media has shepherded its leap to worldwide fame, introducing the candy to people outside South Korea. The name dalgona became more familiar to Americans in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic because of the popularity of the whipped coffee also known as dalgona.

Is Squid Game a real game in Korea? ›

Squid, also known as ojingŏ (Korean: 오징어), is a children's game played in South Korea. The game is named as such because the shape of the playing field drawn on the ground resembles that of a squid.

What is dalgona in Korean? ›

Dalgona or ppopgi is a Korean candy made with melted sugar and baking soda. It was a popular street snack in the 1970s and 1980s, and is still eaten as a retro food.

What happens if you break the Dalgona? ›

At the center of the dalgona is an indentation of the player's chosen shape. With only 10 minutes on the clock, the players must extricate their shape with the needle without breaking the candy. If the clock runs out or they break the candy, they are eliminated (ie. they are killed).

How do you cut dalgona candy? ›

Wait until the dalgona candy is becoming tacky — not molten — before pressing your cookie cutter into it. If you flattened your candy, wait 15–20 seconds. If you didn't, wait 25–30 seconds. Gently press your cookie cutter into the candy until it almost touches the bottom, then carefully remove it.

What does dalgona taste like? ›

What does dalgona coffee taste like? Because it's made up of equal parts water, coffee and sugar, dalgona coffee tastes like a sweet cup of coffee. The whip has a very smooth texture, almost like a meringue!

Can dalgona be eaten? ›

It's slightly bitter, but has a sweet aftertaste. Its main appeal is the velvety and soft texture – you could be eating coffee-flavoured cream. Mmmmmmm. While it's smooth enough to sip at, you can of course mix the foamy mixture into the hot milk you've topped – once you've delighted in your success, that is.

Is Dalgona candy healthy? ›

According to the expert, being loaded with sugar could make this candy packed with energy and can give an energy boost during low blood sugar scenarios. However, consuming refined sugar is not recommended for health and fitness purposes.

Is dalgona a cookie or candy? ›

Dalgona or ppopgi is a nostalgic Korean honeycomb sugar candy that's made with sugar and baking soda.

Why does my Dalgona candy burn? ›

Do not sure the flame up too high. As the sugar starts melting, it will burn very quickly, especially on high heat. So, keep it at medium heat and a close eye on it. If you don't let the dalgona candy rest for a couple of seconds before pressing the cookie cutter in, it will get stuck.

Why is dalgona called dalgona? ›

After the drink spread to South Korea, it was renamed "dalgona coffee" which is derived from dalgona, a Korean sugar candy, due to the resemblance in taste and appearance, though most dalgona coffee does not actually contain dalgona.

Does Dalgona candy taste good? ›

Dalgona candy is an old school Korean honeycomb candy that's similar to seafoam or honeycomb toffee or the inside of a Crunchie bar. It's sweet and crunchy and delicious.

What are they licking in the squid game? ›

There are two ways to win the game regardless of the shape of the Sugar Honeycomb. The first method is to use a lighter to heat up the needle to make it easier to carve the outside layer of the shape of the honeycomb. The second method is to lick the honeycomb to soften the sugar honeycomb to make it easier to carve.

Why do they lick dalgona? ›

With time rapidly running out, Gi-hun realises licking the back of the dalgona and holding it up to the warm light melts the honeycomb and allows him to remove the shape faster. It turns out his method was a simple yet cunning way for Korean children to beat their friends at the sticky competition.

What is the name of the candy in Squid Game? ›

It's actually known as Dalgona Candy and it's easy to make. Here's the recipe. Honeycomb toffee, also known as Dalgona Candy, is everywhere right now thanks to the hit Netflix show Squid Game.

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