The deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad’s Bharat City Society have triggered alarm over a disturbing category of online, task-based games known as the “Korean Love Game.” Investigators recovered a suicide note referring to the game, prompting concerns about how such platforms emotionally manipulate children and adolescents.
The sisters—aged 12, 14 and 16—were reportedly inseparable and had shown drastic behavioural changes since the Covid-19 pandemic, withdrawing from school and spending most of their time on mobile phones. Family members told police the girls were deeply addicted to an online game, and despite attempts to confiscate their devices, the addiction had already taken hold.
Experts say the so-called “Korean Love Game” is loosely linked to online romantic role-play inspired by K-pop culture and virtual dating themes. These platforms often begin with seemingly harmless tasks such as constant chatting or sharing messages, but can gradually escalate to extreme and harmful challenges, raising serious concerns about child safety and online regulation.
