Squid Game sparks massive resurgence of Korean dalgona candy

A particularly tense episode of Squid Game featuring a traditional Korean candy has sent demand for the sweet treat through the roof.

The maker of a Korean candy that features in an episode of Squid Game says he’s struggling to keep up with demand as the sweet treat finds massive new popularity in the wake of the Netflix hit.

The thriller series, which has become Netflix’s most watched original TV show of all time, centres on desperate, debt-ridden contestants who must win a series of children’s games in order to win a massive cash prize of more than $50 million — and escape death.

In one game, the contestants are forced to carefully carve a shape out of a brittle piece of dalgona, a classic Korean toffee candy similar to honeycomb, without snapping it.

In the series, the contestants must carve shapes out of a piece of dalgona without snapping it. Picture: Netflix

The episode has sent the popularity of dalgona through the roof — and An Yong-hui, the dalgona maker for Squid Game, told Reuters he was so swamped keeping up with orders he didn’t go home for a week.

The busy candy man sold about 200 dalgona candies a day before Squid Game debuted on September 17, Reuters reports.

Now, he’s selling more than 500 a day, priced at about $2 each.

Customers have been keen to replicate the traditional Korean children’s game featured in the episode by using a sewing needle to carve shapes — such as a star, circle and umbrella — out of the brittle candy, which is made from sugar and baking soda.

The aim is to carve out the shape without snapping the dalgona.

Tensions are high as contestants complete the dalgona challenge on Squid Game. Picture: Netflix

On TikTok, #dalgonachallenge is trending with millions of views on videos showing people attempting the game themselves.

Dalgona candy isn’t the only thing that’s seen a massive resurgence in popularity on the back of the Squid Game phenomenon.

British online retailer Sole Supplier says sales for white Vans sneakers have skyrocketed 7800 per cent since the series premiered.

The humble sneaker is part of the outfit Squid Game contestants are forced to wear, along with a green tracksuit.