KPOP and video games seem to be intermingling more and more, with a number of hit collaborations over the last few years. League of Legends band K/DA, featuring members of G-IDLE, hit number one on Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart with POP/STARS. Suga hopped on Halsey’s remix of Lilith for the launch of Diablo 4. Le Sserafim’s Perfect Night collaboration for Overwatch 2 was catchy and didn’t leave my head for weeks. The most recent example being BIBI‘s song for Stellar Blade, which launches this week.
That’s just a few examples of songs that were genuinely fantastic, crossing over into gaming that felt organic in a lot of ways. Here are 6 more KPOP and gaming collaborations that need to happen.
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STRAY KIDS X DRAGON BALL
Stray Kids brand of KPOP, dubbed as Noise Music by fans, is constantly loud and in your face. The raps are quick and punchy, the choruses are massive, and different genres can pop out of nowhere in the middle of a song. With Dragon Ball fighting games making a comeback over the last few years, and with Sparking! ZERO on the horizon, this collaboration would just work.
The chaotic arrangements would feel right at place in a fighting game, amping up every battle. Dragon Ball’s fast fights and massive Ki blasts are just asking for Changbin’s rapid-fire wordplay, Felix’s baritone voice, and 3RACHA’s production. Can you imagine Goku vs Vegeta warping around, kamehamas and galick guns charging up, with something akin to “Megaverse” blasting in the background? Sign me up.
G-IDLE X LIKE A DRAGON
G-Idle is no stranger to gaming collaborations, with both Soyeon and Miyeon moonlighting in K/DA. This time, both need to be front and center with the other members. Their tongue-in-cheek writing, choreography, and playfulness give away quickly to badass imagery and a no-holds-barred attitude. This duality would work perfectly with Like A Dragon, famously known for its melodramatic main stories and ridiculous side quests.
Letting Soyeon go off on a series that very much supports breaking barriers and supporting commonly ignored and misunderstood communities would be a match made in heaven. G-IDLE break down walls constantly, playing with common standards for women in KPOP and doing it solely in the way they want to. Sounds a lot like Like A Dragon, which has challenged themes of toxic masculinity and acceptance for years. I can already picture Ichiban shaking it to “My Bag”.
SEVENTEEN X SONIC
I know, I know, Seventeen and Sonic may seem like a team up out of left field, but that’s exactly why it’d work perfectly. The boys in Seventeen pretty much exemplify the gotta go fast mentality (go watch their The Game Caterers specials on Youtube). They’re constantly bouncing off the walls, positive and bright like a lot of their music. “Snapshoot” seems like it’d work in the Green Hill Zone, while “Super” would fit right in with a gigantic boss battle in Sonic Frontiers.
Sonic’s cheeky nature would work well with Seventeen’s antics, creating a fun synergy of chaos and good vibes. Plus, Seventeen’s spin off BSS could get their own song in this mix, with “Fighting” being the perfect track for a new Sonic City Escape level in a potential Sonic Adventure 3. Please give us Sonic Adventure 3, Sega.
EPIK HIGH X KIND WORDS
Epik High are downright legends in KPOP, celebrating 20 years in the industry last year. They’re your favorites’ favorites, with RM and Suga from BTS regularly calling out their music as huge inspiration. Epik High’s lofi chill hop brand is unique in the space, with tracks like “Rain Song” and “Eternal Sunshine” being perfect for an introspective afternoon at a cafe. Tablo is one of the best lyricists out there, citing his mental health struggles often over their discography.
The Kind Words games have an Epik High sized-hole that only Tablo, Mithra, and DJ Tukutz could fill. The vibe is perfect, allowing folks to send off letters into the abyss that is the world wide web, while reading and replying to other people who may be looking for comfort or acknowledgment. Tablo himself has been part of a massive and unwarranted hate campaign online, so being able to use his music to spread messages of positivity in Kind Words feels like a natural fit.
ITZY X HADES
Itzy is a group that’s just exploding with talent, with awesome visuals and incredibly catchy music. They’re no strangers to collaborations, working with the likes of Pokémon and other mobile titles. Can you imagine them, a group that can easily carry a theme, married with the world of Hades? The concept for “Born To Be” feels directly linked to Hades, as the huge chorus and grungy visuals going hand in hand with Melinoe’s quest for revenge. Between Yeji’s powerful voice, Ryujin and Yuna’s raps, and Chaeryoung’s dancing ability, this feels less like a want, and more like a need. They already end enough songs wearing a crown, let them take on the Greek pantheon next and take the throne.
BTS X PERSONA
BTS have been the reigning kings of KPOP internationally for the last few years, but it wasn’t always like this. The underdogs for a large part of their career, they fought tooth and nail for their spot, coming from a smaller company outside of the then Big 3. They were everything that KPOP wasn’t at the time. With lyrics discussing societal expectations, mental health, and trying to find and love yourself, they were constantly at odds with the larger industry. Persona would be the right home for a BTS collaboration, as every entry already feels like it’d fit with BTS’s messaging.
Persona 3 feels like an extension of Interlude: Shadow, with it’s heavy themes of mental health. Persona 4 is all about accepting one’s true nature – an easy fit for the entire Love Yourself era. Persona 5 goes up against society’s expectations, trying to change the hearts of those with power and responsibility. “Silver Spoon” and “N.O” deal a lot with the pressure of growing up and pushing back against those trying to fit you into a mold.
BTS is on a hiatus now as they serve their military service, Persona 6 is in development, what’s a better way for both to comeback than a collaboration? My wallet hurts already from the merch I’ll inevitably buy.
The world’s of KPOP and video games crossover well, giving fans a new way to interact with artists and properties they care about. When done well, they feel organic and are a lot of fun to engage with. BIBI’s crossover with Stellar Blade works so well exactly because of this, it makes sense for both. Fingers crossed for more awesome collaborations to come…I seriously need that Persona and BTS team up.
