When things get tight, the Korean entertainment industry performs well. Idols practice for hours, record music, travel the world, and perform in front of many people all the time. But many of them relax by playing online games, which are well known to millions of fans. Gaming has long been a part of Korean pop culture, so it’s no surprise that many K-pop stars log on to play games and live stream them.This crossover shows fans a more laid-back side of the idol. Instead of a polished performance on stage, the audience sees the competitive instinct, playful trash talk and genuine excitement of the game. Some idols even live stream regularly, making the game a second community for music fans and gamers to meet. These five K-pop stars have had successful careers in both chart and live streaming gaming.
Five Korean pop stars also live streamed the game at the same time
1. Hong Seok (Pentagon )
Yang Hongxi, who comes from the Pentagon, has a reputation among fans as a serious gamer. The singer loves fast-paced shooter games and often plays Sudden Attack. The Korean game is often compared to CS:GO. His love for gaming led to unforgettable moments for fans when he hosted virtual fan signing events in the gaming lobby. He even sang the Pentagon song “Dr. Babe” for his teammates during the meeting. Fans can sometimes see Hongseok playing games on the group’s official YouTube channel.
2. Miryo (Brown Eyed Girl)
Jo “Miryo” Mi-hye is known for her edgy raps, but she also loves playing video games. She started live streaming in 2019 and has tried multiple platforms such as Twitch, AfreecaTV and YouTube. Miryo enjoys many games, including League of Legends, PUBG, Dead by Daylight, and Overwatch. Sometimes she plays casual games with Sun Ga-in, another member of Brown Eyed Girls. She loves Overwatch so much that she even uses makeup to make Ashe look like her on stream.
3. EXO members
Some members of EXO have become household names in the gaming world through SM Entertainment’s streaming series Super Idol League. Park Chan-yeol plays “Honor of Kings”, while Byun Baek-hyun and Oh Se-hun participate in “League of Legends” and “PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds”. The show features idols chatting with fans while playing popular games. It also features other SM artists such as Super Junior’s Kim Heechul and Girls’ Generation’s Sunny and Taeyeon.
4. Seraphim’s Sakura
It’s no secret that Miyawaki Sakura likes to play games. The Japanese idol owns gaming systems such as PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Her gaming videos, especially those of battle royale games like Fortnite, sometimes appear on her personal YouTube channel. Fans often praise her skill level, which shows she’s more than just a casual gamer.
5. Soyeon(G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE leader Jeon Soyeon blends music and gaming culture in an effective way. She played Akali in the mid lane during a League of Legends livestream while showing off K/DA merchandise. She has a deeper connection to the game. Two other members of K/DA, Soyeon and Miyeon, performed the hit song “POP/STARS” at the 2018 League of Legends World Championship. This brings virtual characters to life on stage.For fans, it’s now hard to tell the difference between a pop star and a gamer. When an idol picks up a controller, they completely transform. Just another player trying to win on the screen.
