The viral TikTok challenge inspired by Netflix’s Squid Game (September 2021) where people attempted to carve shapes out of honeycomb candy without breaking it — recreating the show’s deadly game at home.
The Show
Squid Game (released September 17, 2021) became Netflix’s biggest series ever. Episode 3 featured the dalgona candy challenge:
The game: Players receive a thin honeycomb candy with a shape pressed into it (star, umbrella, circle, triangle). They must carve out the shape using only a needle — without cracking the candy. Fail = death (in the show).
The Challenge
Late September 2021: TikTok exploded with people making dalgona candy at home and attempting the challenge.
How to make dalgona (ppopgi):
- Melt sugar in a ladle over heat
- Add a pinch of baking soda (it foams and expands)
- Pour onto parchment paper
- Press a shape into it while hot
- Let it cool and harden
The attempt: Use a needle or toothpick to carve out the shape without breaking the candy.
The Virality
Why it worked:
- Easy to attempt (sugar, baking soda, heat)
- Satisfying to watch (ASMR-ish carving)
- High failure rate (candy breaks = dramatic failure)
- Tie to the show (everyone was watching Squid Game)
Hashtag views: Over 2 billion views by October 2021.
The Variations
Success videos: People perfectly carving out umbrellas and stars
Fail videos: Candy shattering mid-carve (often more entertaining)
Store-bought versions: Korean markets sold pre-made dalgona candy kits
Food content creators: Made gourmet versions (matcha dalgona, chocolate dalgona)
The Cultural Moment
Squid Game dominance: The show was everywhere in fall 2021. The dalgona challenge was just one piece:
- Green tracksuits sold out
- “Red Light, Green Light” TikToks
- Honeycomb shape cookies at bakeries
- Halloween costumes (guards, players)
Korean culture boom: Dalgona introduced people to a nostalgic Korean street snack from the 70s-80s.
The Risks
Burns: Melting sugar is HOT. People burned themselves attempting the challenge.
Dental issues: Biting hard honeycomb candy = cracked teeth.
Fire hazards: Amateur candy-making on stovetops led to kitchen fires.
Safety warnings: Korean authorities and dentists issued PSAs about the risks.
The Legacy
The dalgona challenge was a perfect storm: a viral show, an easy DIY activity, and built-in drama (will it break?).
It also introduced millions of people to Korean street food culture and highlighted how global TikTok challenges could become.
By November 2021, the trend faded — but dalgona candy became a permanent fixture in Korean snack shops and novelty candy stores worldwide.
Sources
- Netflix Squid Game viewership data (September-October 2021)
- TikTok hashtag analytics #DalgonaChallengeSquidGame
- Korean news reports on dalgona challenge injuries
- Food bloggers’ dalgona recipe breakdowns
- Emergency room reports (burns, dental injuries)