What is Korean 'Love Game' linked to Ghaziabad sisters' suicides
What's the story
Three minor sisters in Ghaziabad died after allegedly jumping from their ninth-floor apartment balcony. The police are now investigating the role of a Korean online "love game" in this tragic incident. The girls, Nishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), had reportedly been addicted to this game since the COVID-19 pandemic. Their father, Chetan Kumar, revealed that they had become extremely attached to it and refused to stop playing despite objections.
Family impact
'Korean is our life'
The girls had also stopped going to school and spent all their time playing the game together. Their father said they were so addicted that they told him, "Papa, we cannot leave Korean. Korean is our life. Korean is everything to us." DCP Trans-Hindon, Nimish Patel, said that they found no mention of a particular app in their suicide note but it was clear that they were heavily influenced by Korean culture.
Obsession
They were highly obsessed with the game
In the days leading up to the suicides, the girls were reportedly restricted from using the phone. "The girls were troubled by this, and because of that, they took this decision," said Patel. "They were highly obsessed with the game and thought that they were not Indians, but Koreans. They also portrayed themselves as Korean princesses under the influence of the game," Atul Kumar Singh, assistant police commissioner (ACP), Ghaziabad, told the Hindustan Times.
Game details
What is this Korean game?
The Korean "love game" is an online, task-based interactive game that revolves around virtual characters and emotional storytelling. Players complete tasks and make choices to progress in the story. Love and friendship are common themes in the games, which can also include Korean learning or romantic conversations. There are dozens of Korea-themed games in the Google Play Store, like 'K-Pop Dating Game' and 'Korean Games: Infinite.' Unlike casual games, these platforms can blur the line between entertainment and emotional attachment.
Impact on children
Impact of such games on children
Experts warn that young users are particularly vulnerable, as their sense of identity and decision-making skills are still developing. Prolonged and unsupervised gaming can lead to isolation, poor sleep, declining academic performance, and emotional distress in children. Psychologists warn that sudden restrictions or conflicts around such games without proper communication or emotional support can further increase stress in vulnerable children. Speaking to India Today, their father said there were 50 tasks in the gaming app and Tuesday's was the final.
Ongoing investigation
Suicide note recovered
Police received information about the incident around 2:15am. The sisters were found critically injured on the ground floor and were declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. A suicide note was recovered from the scene. It read, "A true life story. Is diary mein jo kuch bhi likha hain, woh sab padh lo, kyunki ye sab sach hain. I am really sorry, sorry papa." One of them had also written on the wall, "My life is very very alone."