Dong Dong Dongdaemun
Also known as 동, 동, 동대문 (Dong Dong Dongdaemun), Open the Great Gate
Children file through a sung arch until the gates crash shut, trapping whoever is inside at the last note.
How to play
Two players face each other and raise joined hands overhead to form a gate (representing Seoul's ancient city gates).
The rest form a single-file line and pass through the gate repeatedly while everyone sings: 'Dong, Dong, Dongdaemun, open the East Gate! Nam, Nam, Namdaemun, open the South Gate! When the clock strikes twelve, the gates are CLOSED!' On 'closed,' the gatekeepers drop their arms. The caught player becomes a new gatekeeper.
Play continues until only two players are left, and then everyone swaps roles.
Keep it fair
The catch counts only if the player's body is fully inside the gate when arms drop, not just their foot. State this rule clearly at the start.
