[12.26.25] K‑pop and Korean identity and promotion on social media (in-game and RL)

[GDfromRivendell]

I really hope that inZOI Team will do K‑pop in the best possible way.

I really valued the Korean identity of the game from the moment it was announced, with its distinctive cultural features and a rapidly world‑conquering industry.

As written on Discord:

If the US has GTA, Japan has Ryu ga Gotoku, then Korea has inZOI.

I miss the time when they used to post shorts with in-game Saja Boys on X and record tracks with Andrew Choi. Back then I was so happy for them, since they managed to ride a bit on the crazy hype train of Kpop Demon Hunters, and considering that Krafton brought in aespa for a PUBG collab, and Kjun, as he writes, went to K-pop concerts (and maybe pretty chummy with someone, huh?, atm Jimin, Jennie x Rosé, Babymonster, Twice, and Itzy are trending, right? …

… there should be solid confidence in the update and the promo campaign – up to actual K‑pop performers recording tracks for stage shows, radio stations in smartphone app, venues and cars… and social media, followers, Starlight index, top charts, fan events, billboards, news, idol awards…

Importance of Social media / Bubbly social network

Discord:

Maybe the western artist don’t really need to use social media, but as someone who is a kpop fan, social media is an important feature to the kpop idol life.

A k‑pop idol’s (j‑pop, a-pop) career is unsustainable without social media. The popular animated film released this year puts significant emphasis on the dynamics of promotion. Contemporary Eastern industry exploits these mechanisms to the fullest, and btw, inZOI’s RL social networks are oriented toward Japan and Thailand, while the West… Although before we also used to get published in X, but now it’s over.

Reference: Kpop Demon Hunters

Rhythm & Glory (From Streets to Arenas: Bands, DJ Lineups, Nightlife, Motors; K‑Pop, Dance, Idol Industry; URBZ-inspired)

There is work here on a potential DLC, but also on how to equally reflect the cultures/music and other subcultures of South Korea and the United States (Los Angeles):

Rhythm & Glory DLC (From Streets to Arenas: Bands, DJ Lineups, Nightlife, Motors; K‑Pop, Dance, Idol Industry; URBZ-inspired)

Why This Matters inZOI is more than a life simulator — it’s a canvas for identity, emotion, and urban storytelling. Introducing a DLC inspired by would unlock a new layer of expression: music, movement, and social energy. Emotional depth: Movement and music as non‑verbal languages, enabling players to channel joy, rebellion, romance, or conflict through performance. Urban immersion: From street‑level battles and pop‑up shows to high‑end venues, luxury events, and the city…

[GDfromRivendell]

Traditional Eastern Asian cultures

Pop culture often touches on:
• native Korean mythical beings Gumiho, Dokkaebi, Imugi (K-Dramas like “Tale of the Nine-Tailed”, “Kpop Demon Hunters”)

• “subtle matters” – like the “threads of fate” and “time entanglements” in Makoto Shinkai’s works (“Your Name”), and “Weathering With You” with its theme of controlling the weather

To compensate for United States (LA):

• far South legends (“South of Midnight” game)
• urban legends from LA (Gravity Hill, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hills and Secret Occult Circles / Dark Academia UCLA / USC Campus, Thunderbird), Alien Church in LA 2025 and so on.

[LittleBrownBiscuit]

I’m 100% with you. Love the way inZOI can play like a K-drama. These zois keep you on your toes. Being able to experience more of Korea’s culture, pop and other sectors, would enrich the game.

[GDfromRivendell]

WW I agree. I was among the first to sign up for K‑pop in the game and passionately upvoted anything that could boost it. Fortunately, even despite the strong shift of the active audience by the end of the year toward americanization/Sims, our voices were taken into account, and now it’s just a matter of constantly supporting and reminding them that we still need this.

For me, authenticity in this game still matters more than just sticking to genre patterns.