"Surprised by the Hand Gesture Holding a Knife"... A Toy That Worried Elementary School Parents

Popularity Spreads Through SNS Like TikTok and YouTube
Some Education Offices and Schools Issue 'Danggeunkal Ban'

Recently, 'Danggeunkal' has become wildly popular among elementary and middle school students, raising concerns among parents and education authorities. Danggeunkal is a jackknife-style kidult toy designed as a model pocket knife with a blade-like part that can be folded into a sheath.

Although Danggeunkal has only been introduced for about a month, it has quickly become a popular item among elementary and middle school students through SNS platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

It is easy to find videos on SNS, YouTube, and TikTok showing 'cool ways to manipulate Danggeunkal,' and the trend has even extended to games mimicking stabbing motions on people’s bodies.

The carrot knife, which has gained popularity through SNS platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, has only been introduced for a month but has become a popular item among elementary and middle school students.
[Photo source=YouTube search for 'Danggeun Knife']

Some voices express concern about the imitation of 'knife crime.' Danggeunkal is a plastic knife model toy. It earned the nickname 'Danggeunkal' because its appearance resembles a carrot. It operates like a folding pocket knife, or so-called 'jackknife,' where the blade connected to the sheath folds and unfolds.

What sets Danggeunkal apart from other plastic or rubber knife model toys is the crisp sound it makes during manipulation. Its bright fluorescent colors are also considered factors that attract elementary and middle school students. The price is also affordable, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 won.

Searching for Danggeunkal on SNS and YouTube brings up related keywords such as 'Danggeunkal techniques' and 'how to spin Danggeunkal coolly.' Especially on TikTok, a platform heavily used by teenagers, videos related to Danggeunkal are gaining huge popularity.

The allowed purchase age is 14, but anyone can actually buy it

When searching for "Danggeun Knife" on SNS and YouTube, related keywords such as "Danggeun Knife technique" and "How to spin the Danggeun Knife stylishly" are listed.
[Photo by MBC News]

The permitted age to purchase Danggeunkal is 14 years and older. However, it is being sold without age restrictions at unmanned convenience stores and secondhand trading websites.

On internet 'mom cafes,' concerns about the side effects of Danggeunkal play continue to be voiced. A parent of an elementary school son wrote, "My child bought a toy knife in the neighborhood and was playing with it, and I was shocked by his hand movements. No matter how much it is a toy, is it okay for this to become so popular? I worry that children might get so used to the toy that they casually play with real knives."

As the controversy spreads, some education offices and schools have issued 'Danggeunkal bans.'

The Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education recently sent an official letter to elementary and middle schools in the district, urging caution regarding possession of Danggeunkal. The letter stated, "To prevent incidents and accidents caused by weapons that have become social issues and the culture of imitating knife attacks, which could lead to a disregard for life, parental interest and guidance are necessary."