From high fashion to movies, K-pop is making its mark practically everywhere. Recently, it seems that the global video gaming industry is the latest to get bit by the K-pop bug. With a worldwide valuation of over $246 billion, the video game sector is fast becoming one of the most successful industries to date. Among the leading video game titles today is Valorant, which has also led the charge in K-pop collabs. In April, an official press statement announced that the global girl group XG would be releasing a collaboration single in time for the upcoming Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific Stage.
Valorant's K-Pop Connection
But what is Valorant? Described in a Valorant betting guide as a groundbreaking first-person shooter (FPS), this video game is extremely popular in the esports scene. Considering that it was developed by Riot Games, which is also the creator of other big esports titles like League of Legends (LoL), it's no wonder that Valorant became a success. Launched in 2019, Valorant is known for its exciting five-versus-five matchups that feature playable "Agents." Despite its huge following, Valorant continues to be free to play, which is why Dexerto estimates that around four million players log on daily. Since 2020, Riot Games has held the VCT in line with Valorant's impact on the competitive gaming sector. As part of their marketing, Valorant has partnered with many big names to create promotional materials like musical singles. This brings us to our K-pop connection.
XG's single is titled UNDEFEATED, which is meant to signify the confidence that the girl group is known for, along with the courageous spirit that Valorant players possess. While many fans are excited to see XG seal their first video game collab, Valorant has already secured many K-pop collabs in the past. If you look at past VCTs, Valorant, and Riot Games regularly onboard a K-pop act during each leg.
Last year, (G)-IDLE's Minnie collaborated with Don Diablo for the Champions Tour Pacific. Lending her pop-jazz vocals to the track Making Waves. Allegedly, the song is inspired by the diverse cultures that Valorant players come from and the collaboration that the game inspires, much like how waves crash together to form a powerful wave. Later that year, Minnie's fellow Thai K-pop idol Sorn also recorded a song for VCT. Aside from being featured in the official music video, the former CLC member also performed the song U Already Know, live at the opening of the Ascension Pacific Grand Finals. Overall, these partnerships prove how far-reaching K-pop's influence has become, and even gamers can now listen to their vocals. It's also a smart move for Riot Games, given the millions of K-pop fans worldwide.
K-Pop in Other Esports Circles
Of course, Valorant isn't the only title to embrace K-pop. In 2023, Hybe's LE SSERAFIM released Perfect Night in partnership with Overwatch 2. Aside from an official music video, the collaboration also included a limited-time event wherein players could use themed cosmetics. In the same year, Riot's LoL also had its own Hybe deal. With the single GODS, the massively popular girl group New Jeans moved away from their trademark breathy pop tunes towards a more synth-heavy track befitting the LoL image. Outside of official singles, K-pop's influence has also been felt in other aspects of video games and esports, in particular.
In 2020, Riot Games introduced their virtual K-pop girl group K/DA. Featuring four themed variations of already existing LoL characters (Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai'Sa), K/DA is voiced by multiple voice actors and singers. Notably, though, the current voices of Ahri and Akali are provided by (G)-IDLE's Miyeon and Soyeon. Interestingly, even esports stars are getting in on the action. Fnatic's Boaster is one such gaming icon who has been known to love K-pop. According to a Valorant player profile, Boaster is a British esports athlete who has repeatedly gone viral for his impressive performances. In-game, he dominates matches as Fnatic's leader. Outside of the virtual world, though, he's become popular for using K-pop songs during his entrances to esports arenas. Some of the songs he's walked out to include OMG by New Jeans and Pop! by Nayeon. On social media, there are also clips of him reviewing replays of their team performance with Twice's Fancy playing in the background. In his free time, Boaster has even covered K-pop dances, including BTS' Butter.
In conclusion, with the VCT currently ongoing, K-pop and esports fans can expect that another fun partnership is in the works. Although what this will entail is not sure, the fact that esports and K-pop are rooted in connecting people, there's no doubt it will be another viral hit.
