Other traditional sports included "gungsi" or "gungsul," which means archery, and "gisa," which is the sport of shooting arrows from a running horse. "Toin" was a routine physical exercise in which all the body parts, from fingers to toes, are stimulated to boost one's spirit, or gi. "Tugi," or physical fighting, is still being played in modified form. "Seokjeon" is a group competition between people of neighboring villages. "Geune," or swining, "jegichagi," or shuttlecock, "neolttwigi," or jumping on the see-saw are still popular during folk festivals. "Ssireum," similar to wrestling, and "subak," or taekwondo are the two traditional sports that have very large followings today.

Following are other traditional sports and games that are still popular among Koreans:

Kite Flying

Kite flying is a popular traditional sport during the winter season when strong winds are present. According to historical records, kite flying originated from the ancient Silla Kingdom.

The kites used are of various shapes and colors. Traditionally, New Year's Day was a day set aside for flying kites. Villagers would write Chinese characters naming various bad omens on the kites and when they reached the sky, the strings of the kite would be cut in order to drive all the bad spirits away from the village for the coming new year.

A popular traditional kite game involves a contest between kite flyers who try to cut their opponents' kite strings. In preparation for the contest, the kitesmen paste a mixture of ground up stone and glass powder on their kite strings; by maneuvering the strings to criss-cross the strings of other kites, they initiate a series of cutting movements until one of the kite strings gives way.

Tug of War

The tug of war game is a popular folk game which involves a large group of people. It is usually played over a period of three days. Since ancient times, all members of the village participated in the tug of war game. The game requires a good deal of cooperation. When tug of war is played, village bands play folk music and cheer their team to victory.

The tug of war is a large-scale game and the period needed to prepare for it is considerable. Villages must collect rice straw from each member of the village and make a long thick rope. This consists of a male rope (sutjul) and a female rope (amjul). Members of each team pull at the ropes which are bound tightly together. Because of a belief that the winning side shall have a good harvest, each side strives hard to pull its opponent to its side, yelling and shouting as they do so.

Chajeonnori

Also known as "dongchae ssaum," this game was said to have originated after Wang Geon's victory against Gyeon Hwon during the battle of Andong in 935. To make dongchae two 10-meter logs are crossed in a trapezoid, with the upper part tied firmly with straw rope. A plank is fixed on the inside of the trapezoid. Getting onto the plank, each one of general-in-command is chosen among the members at the two teams, east and west, and leads the fight.

When the fight begins, the horizontal dongchae is raised up vertically, with the heads of both dongchae striking against each other. The commander holds the plank in his left hand and command members of his team with his right. Those who do not hold the dongchae on their shoulder also participate in the ritualized battle; they fight hand to hand with their teammates holding the dongchae by helping them to advance forward.

Victory or defeat is settled when the dongchae of either team is forced to the ground. The winners then express their joy by throwing their straw sandals up to the sky in a gesture of victory.

Gossaum

The term "gossaum" has its origins in the compound words "go" (the round, tied knot called otgoreum, or coat string, which is attached to the Korean traditional dress, or hanbok), and "ssaum," meaning a fight. This game is played between two teams: the east team and the west team. The huge "go" used in the game is made of rice straw.

When the "go" is ready, the participating villagers perform a ritual exorcism, praying for victory for their respective team. They then select a julpaejang or general who will lead the fight. The julpaejang climbs on head of the his team's "go" and from there commands his team to maneuver away or to trample down the opponent's "go" The game ends when one team's "go" is shoved to the ground.

Gossaum is a cooperative sport between villages and it possess the same principles as the tug of war game. It requires a great deal of labor and thus takes several days to prepare for. This game is still popular among the Korean people during traditional festive occasions.