This three-way collaboration between LINE FRIENDS, NEXON and Jisoo is the first global project to kick off since LINE FRIENDS concluded a strategic partnership with the global gaming titan NEXON last year in a bid to diversify the global IP business of the popular racing game, KartRider, with 17-year history. The mobile version, titled KartRider Rush+, launched in May of 2020, spawning a viral sensation with the number of worldwide users surpassing the 20 million-mark in cumulative.LINE FRIENDS has been creating new character IP in close collaboration with Jisoo by combining her unique creativity with its expertise in character creation and IP business. Jisoo is known to have actively participated in the entire process, from drawing sketches to detailing the characteristics, preferences and values of the new character.Furthermore, as part of this year’s three-way collaboration, LINE FRIENDS and Jisoo are joining forces to design new in-game items inspired by Jisoo ’s companion animal. As Jisoo is widely known to be an avid fan of KartRider herself, Millennials and Generation Z worldwide are looking forward to the new major update to come on KartRider Rush+ starting March 19.“This collaboration with Jisoo and NEXON comes especially meaningful as we were able to fully embody our unrivaled expertise in IP business and creative design as recognized in our previous collaborative work for BT21(character IP co-created with BTS), WDZY(character IP co-created with ITZY) and TRUZ(character IP co-created with TREASURE), as well as Brawl Stars (3v3 multiplayer and battle royale mobile game developed by SUPERCELL),” says LINE FRIENDS. “Going forward, we will set new grounds in the IP business through our unique set of character IP co-created with Jisoo and strengthen tie with KartRider to enhance our competitiveness in the gaming and entertainment industry-at-large.”The teaser video, which was put on LIVE on February 25, became viral among the Millennials and Generation Z worldwide. From March 4 to 18, LINE FRIENDS and NEXON are further slated to unlock an additional five video clips under the title ‘KartRider Rush+ Queen’ on the official YouTube channel of LINE FRIENDS. In these video episodes-to-come, Jisoo will not only appear to reveal the behind-the-scenes story but also complete a set of trivia quiz and hold a show match with a renowned gaming influencer to prove herself as a true fan of KartRider.
