What Are Task-Based Korean Love Games, and Why Are They Dangerous for Children?

The heartbreaking deaths of three minor sisters in Ghaziabad have sent shockwaves across the country and sparked urgent discussions about a disturbing digital threat quietly targeting young minds, task-based online games commonly referred to as ‘ Korean Love Games ’. Unlike violent or action-heavy games, these platforms work on emotions, slowly creating deep psychological dependence that can turn deadly if left unchecked.

A tragedy that raised alarming questions

The sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, allegedly jumped from the ninth floor of their apartment after becoming deeply involved in one such game. According to their father, Chetan Kumar, the girls were unwilling to quit the game despite repeated requests. They reportedly told him that “Korean” was their life and that they could not be separated from it. A suicide note recovered from their room mentioned the game by name and apologised to their parents, making the emotional grip of the game impossible to ignore.

The girls told him: “Korean is our life. You cannot separate us from it. Korean is everything to us. We will give up our lives.”

This single incident has forced parents, police officials, and cyber experts to ask a crucial question: what exactly are these games, and how can technology, especially artificial intelligence, be misused to emotionally manipulate children?

What are ‘Korean Love Games’?

The term ‘Korean Love Game’ does not refer to one specific app. Instead, it is a collective name used for a category of online, task-based games inspired by Korean pop culture, including K-dramas, K-pop music, and romantic fantasy themes. These games often introduce users to a virtual lover or partner who communicates through text, voice notes, or AI-powered chatbots.

The virtual character speaks in a caring, affectionate manner, offering constant attention and emotional support. Over time, the player begins to treat this digital character as a real relationship rather than a game.

How task-based games slowly tighten their grip

The danger lies in the task-based structure. Initially, tasks seem harmless, late-night chats, sharing feelings, staying online for longer hours, or completing daily “love challenges.” Each completed task is rewarded with praise and emotional validation, making the child feel special and understood.

Gradually, tasks become more personal and emotionally intense. In some cases, players are instructed to keep their activities secret from parents and friends. Experts say this secrecy is one of the strongest warning signs of manipulation. Once emotional dependence sets in, children may feel extreme pressure to complete every task to prove loyalty or love.

Why children fall into the trap

Children and teenagers are still developing emotional judgement and coping skills. Romantic, attention-driven games appeal to them because they promise understanding, affection, and escape from real-life stress. Loneliness, academic pressure, or lack of open communication at home can increase vulnerability.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged screen time and reduced social interaction further exposed children to online addiction. Many parents remain unaware of the true nature of such apps, assuming their children are playing simple or harmless games.

Concerns over dangerous final challenges

Police sources investigating the Ghaziabad case are examining claims that the game involved multiple levels, possibly around 50 tasks, with the final challenge believed to be extremely dangerous. While authorities have not officially confirmed that the game directly ordered the girls to take their lives, the emotional control exercised by the game has drawn comparisons to earlier cases like the “Blue Whale” challenge.

The pattern of emotional grooming followed by high-risk tasks has raised serious red flags among cybercrime experts.

The role of AI and chatbots

One of the most worrying aspects is the use of artificial intelligence. Modern AI chatbots can mimic human emotions, remember conversations, and respond with empathy. For a child, this can feel like real love or friendship.

However, AI lacks moral awareness and cannot understand consequences. If designed without strict safeguards, such systems can reinforce harmful behaviour, pushing vulnerable users toward risky decisions. Experts stress the urgent need for regulation and child safety controls in AI-driven applications.

Warning signs parents and schools must notice

Experts advise parents to watch for sudden behavioural changes such as staying awake late at night, emotional mood swings, withdrawal from family or school, hiding phone screens, and obsession with online characters. Open conversations about online safety, screen time limits, and regular monitoring of app usage are essential.

Schools also play a key role. Digital safety education must go beyond textbooks and address real-world online risks children face daily.

A wake-up call for society

The Ghaziabad tragedy is not just about one family or one game, it is a powerful warning about the dangerous intersection of technology, emotional manipulation, and lack of awareness. Authorities are now examining the digital trail left behind to identify the game and its creators, while calls grow louder for stricter monitoring of online content aimed at minors.

As technology advances, protecting young minds must become a shared responsibility, before more innocent lives are lost.