0
Participants play the traditional Korean game ddakji during the “K-Game Day with the Pink Guards from Squid Game” event hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization in Seoul. / Source: Korea Tourism Organization

Eighty-two foreign tourists donned green tracksuits and took part in Squid Game-style missions across central Seoul on Wednesday, as part of a special K-culture tourism event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

Titled “K-Game Day with the Pink Guards from Squid Game,” the event invited participants to complete group challenges such as ddakji (paper tile flipping) while guided by staff dressed as the show’s pink-uniformed guards.

The experience was inspired by KTO’s global promotional video series Escape to Korea – BETTER RUN, which drew strong international response by reimagining scenes from Netflix’s worldwide hit Squid Game. In the video, a traveler receives an “Imagine Your Korea” invitation marked with the number 82 — Korea’s international dialing code — to enter a playful version of the game.

Fittingly, 82 participants were selected from more than 4,000 applicants across 33 countries to take part in the real-life event. Wearing the signature green costumes, they roamed locations such as Hiker Ground and the Han River, completing missions throughout Seoul’s city center.

Participants also enjoyed traditional Korean meals, made instant noodles by the Han River, and learned K-pop choreography — a program designed to highlight both everyday Korean culture and the country’s modern creative appeal.

“I discovered Korea through the Imagine Your Korea YouTube channel,” said Christina, a participant from the United States. “I’m thrilled to finally experience the country I had only imagined — Korea is even more captivating than I expected, and I definitely want to come back.”

Han Yeo-ok, head of KTO’s Brand Content Team, said, “The campaign’s message, ‘Escape to Korea,’ represents an invitation to experience the country. By linking globally popular K-content with Korean tourism, we aim to convert global interest into actual visits.”

Since their release beginning July 3, KTO’s six tourism-themed advertisements — including Escape to Korea – BETTER RUN — have collectively surpassed 370 million views worldwide.