Creative studio LINE FRIENDS is set to unveil a new character IP co-designed by none other than BLACKPINK member Jisoo, to debut on the hit NEXON mobile game, KartRider Rush+.
The LINE FRIENDS X KartRider Rush+ is a strategic partnership between the featured characters franchise and the Korean mobile game developer in a bid to diversify the intellectual property base of the popular multiplayer racing game that boasts a 17-year history. Now, the three-way team-up between LINE FRIENDS, NEXON, and BLACKPINK Jisoo will be marked by a new and fun character appearing in the hit mobile game.
LINE FRIENDS, which creates cute featured character stickers from messaging app Line, will be creating a new character inspired by the BLACKPINK member. In a teaser video uploaded on the LINE FRIENDS YouTube channel, February 25, Jisoo was seen visiting the featured characters' flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea. The 42-second teaser shows the 26-year-old artist working with LINE FRIENDS designers as well as flexing her driving skills in KartRider Rush+.
Additionally, LINE FRIENDS and NEXON will be releasing five more video clips as a part of the "KartRider Rush+ Queen." The teaser videos will feature Jisoo in an exclusive behind-the-scenes view of the conceptualization and creation of her very own racing avatar nicknamed "Turtle Rabbit Kim."
As Jisoo is known to be a fan of NEXON's KartRider Rush, gamers worldwide are now looking forward to the major update, set to release on March 19.
"This collaboration with Jisoo and NEXON comes especially meaningful as we were able to fully embody our unrivaled expertise in IP business and creative design as recognized in our previous collaborative work," LINE FRIENDS said in a statement. Its previous projects include collaborations with other K-pop artists such as the BT21 with BTS, WDZY with ITZY, and TRUZ with Treasure. They have also created character IPs for the SUPERCELL multiplayer battle royale game Brawl Stars.
One of their IPs, BT21, is the widely successful set of eight distinct characters designed by the seven members of BTS. From Jimin's cool puppy in yellow overalls, Chimmy, to Jungkook's "rabbit with attitude," Cooky, the cute and widely distinct characters recently celebrated its third anniversary with the BT21 Festival.
About KartRider Rush+
Based on the hit KartRider game - which ran from 2004 in South Korea to 2008 in other parts of the globe - KartRider Rush+ is a free-to-play multiplayer kart racing game available on both Android and iOS devices. With impressive and colorful 3D graphics, the game offers a variety of playing options mostly based on racing across different race tracks spiced up with traps and power-ups players can use to gain an advantage.
About LINE FRIENDS
The global character brand traces its origins to BROWN & FRIENDS, who designed character stickers for the mobile messaging app LINE, catering to 200 million active users worldwide. Aside from K-Pop artists and video game developers, LINE FRIENDS has also collaborated with international brands such as audio equipment manufacturer Bang & Olufsen, footwear titan Converse, writing equipment LAMY, and camera company LEICA.
