Korean Traditional Game : Sullae Japgi

🍂 Korean Traditional Game Series 25

Sullae Japgi

(술래잡기 · Korean Tag Game)

🕰️ 1. Introduction

Sullae Japgi (술래잡기), or Korean tag, is one of the most beloved and enduring traditional games in Korea.
Played by children in every generation, it captures the essence of movement, laughter, and community.

The word sullae means “it” or “seeker,” referring to the person who chases others, and japgi means “to catch.”
The game’s goal is simple — run, hide, and avoid being caught by the sullae — yet it never fails to fill the air with excitement and joy.

 

🪄 2. How to Play

• One player is chosen as the sullae (seeker or tagger).
• The rest scatter and hide or run within the agreed play area.
• The sullae must chase and tag another player, who then becomes the next seeker.
• In some variations, a “safe zone” is drawn on the ground, where players can rest without being tagged.
• The game continues until everyone has had a turn as the sullae, or until the players decide to end the round.

👀 3. Example from Life

At dusk, the sound of children’s laughter echoes through the alleys as shadows stretch across the ground.
Barefoot or in slippers, they dart behind trees, fences, and stone walls, giggling as the seeker calls out,
“I see you!” before giving chase.

Sullae Japgi was more than running — it was connection, freedom, and the feeling of being alive in the company of friends.

 

🌏 4. Similar Games Around the World

• Western countries: Tag or Hide-and-Seek, where one player chases others or searches for hidden friends.
• Japan: Onigokko, a tag game with similar chase-and-catch rules.
• Philippines: Taya-Tayaan, a traditional game of tag among children in villages.

✨ Sullae Japgi shows that joy transcends time and culture — reminding us that play, at its heart, is about togetherness and laughter.

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💌 Closing Words

Sullae Japgi is more than a chase; it’s a shared rhythm of friendship and freedom.
It teaches teamwork, awareness, and the simple happiness of running side by side.
Through this timeless game, generations of Korean children learned the beauty of play and connection.

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📌 Note
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