If you haven’t watched Squid Game yet, then peer pressure clearly has nothing on you.
The hit Korean TV series has pipped Bridgerton to become the most-watched show on Netflix ever – and it seems that most of the country is currently pretty obsessed.
In the show, challenges must be completed in exchange for a huge cash prize – with over 400 debt-ridden contestants taking part in a series of life-or-death childrens’ games / Image: Netflix
In the show, challenges must be completed in exchange for a huge cash prize – with over 400 debt-ridden contestants taking part in a series of life-or-death childrens’ games. Successors pass through to the next round, whilst losers are swiftly ‘eliminated.’
Kids games played by contestants include ‘Red Light, Green LIght’, marbles, glass stepping stones, and a Dalgona honeycomb challenge that requires each player to carve a set shape out of their dish within a set time limit.
The Dalgona honeycomb challenge at A Nice Sip in the Corn Exchange gives you the choice of a circle, triangle, star or umbrella – just like in the Netflix show Squid Game / Image: elsaeats.food
In its third episode, which features the aforementioned sweet toffee treat challenge, contestants are forced to choose between four shapes – then battle against the clock to remove theirs from its tin, unscathed, before time runs out.
This is done by etching through the Dalgona, a nostalgic winter Korean toffee candy made with melted sugar and baking soda. A popular street snack in the 70s and 80s, back then vendors would often challenge their young customers to trim the toffee away from the image using only a pin – as is depicted in the show.
To play the challenge at A Nice Sip, you need to buy two drinks. You can take part throughout October / Image: elsaeats.food
Rewards were often given back in the day, be that free candy, money, or a gift, with common shapes including circles, stars, and triangles. At A Nice Sip, though, your only reward is emerging victorious with a few great drinks in hand.
The challenge itself is more difficult than it looks, especially as the treat cools and becomes more brittle. If you think you’ve got what it takes, though, you can give the challenge a go throughout October at city centre Corn Exchange cafe A Nice Sip.
The entrance to Hong Kong bubble tea cafe A Nice Sip in The Corn Exchange / Image: A Nice Sip
The newly-opened bubble tea spot is running the challenge throughout the month, but don’t worry there won’t be any faceless, red-suited guards with guns watching you.
To have a go, you simply need to purchase two drinks from the cafe – which sells everything from fruit tea to hot chocolate, coffee, and traditional Oolong tea. You can choose to tackle one of the four shapes available in the game, opting for either a circle, triangle, star or umbrella.
Image: A Nice Sip
The Hong Kong cafe also sells a selection of tasty treats, from ice cream and fruit-loaded bubble waffles to matcha macaroons and toffee apple milkshakes.
The trendy bubble cafe first originated in Hong Kong before expanding into Asia, then coming to the UK in July 2018. It specialises in fine tea, which is brewed to exacting specifications on site daily.
You can find A Nice Sip inside Manchester’s iconic Corn Exchange, or the business also has two other sites in the Arndale Market and in Salford. However, the Dalgona challenge is only available at the Corn Exchange site.
To find out more, visit their website or follow them on Instagram here.
Featured Image – A Nice Sip / Netflix
Manchester
Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.
What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.
Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.
Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.
In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.
Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.
It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.
Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…
Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.
Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.
“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!
Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.
Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date
Daisy Jackson
A major act at Co-op Live has cancelled their gig today, just weeks ahead of their scheduled appearance.
Rapper Lil Baby has called off his entire European tour, which included a massive gig here in Manchester.
Fans have been notified via email that the shows will no longer be going ahead.
The Grammy award-winning artist was set to play the Co-op Live on Friday 26 September as part of his WHAM World Tour.
But Lil Baby will no longer be performing in Manchester – along with cancelled shows in London and across Europe – due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
A statement from AXS sent to fans said: “The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that due to unforeseen circumstances, Lil Baby’s performance has now been cancelled.
“We will be automatically refunding your tickets to the method of payment you used to buy your tickets, so you don’t need to do anything further.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Lil Baby has released four chart-topping albums, with his seminal album My Turn going seven-time Platinum.
Fans have been voicing their dismay at the cancellation of the tour, with one writing on X: “All rappers do is cancel SMH. Lilbaby cancelled tour cba.”
Another wrote: “Why the hell has lil baby cancelled his show.”
Someone on TikTok said: “I woke up to this email now my day is ruined cos Wdymm.”
And someone else posted: “I PURPOSELY TOLD MY PEOPLE NOT GOING ON HOLIDAY FOR MY BDAY BECAUSE LIL BABY PERFORMING IN LONDON ON 27 THE NEXT DAY! FOR HIM TO CANNNNCEEELLLLL 2 WEEKS BEFORE.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th October 2021 
