Behind the glittering stages and pulsating beats of K-Pop's global domination lies a quieter, more personal passion shared by many of its brightest stars. When the spotlights dim and the crowds disperse, these idols often trade their microphones for controllers, exchanging choreography for quests. It's a side of them fans rarely see—the focused gaze on a screen rather than a camera, the triumphant smile after a virtual victory rather than a chart-topping hit. Who would've thought, right? These global superstars, with their meticulously crafted images, are just like us when they unwind, seeking adventure in digital worlds far removed from the pressures of fame.

🎮 The All-Around Ace: ENHYPEN's Heeseung

For Heeseung, known as ENHYPEN's ace for his performance skills, gaming isn't just a hobby—it's a core part of his identity. He famously declared, "gaming is my life," a sentiment echoed in his daily routines. His gaming sessions are a blend of nostalgic speed and strategic depth, often starting his day with the kart-racing frenzy of KartRider before diving into the complex battlegrounds of League of Legends as a mid-laner. It's more than play; it's a parallel discipline where focus and quick thinking reign supreme. His passion is so well-known that fans feel comfortable asking him profound questions about it during live streams, bridging the gap between idol and community through shared digital experiences.

🕹️ The Unexpected Strategist: BLACKPINK's Jennie

BLACKPINK's Jennie shatters expectations, proving that fierce stage presence can coexist with a love for tactical gameplay. Far from the glamorous image, she's been spotted, chuckling to herself, playing the relaxing puzzle game Gardenscapes while waiting backstage—a relatable moment of using games to pass time. Her tastes, however, are versatile. She's a confessed fan of team-based shooters, primarily wielding the mech-suit clad D.Va in Overwatch. She's even participated in official collaborations, like playing PUBG Mobile with her bandmates, showing how gaming can be both a personal escape and a professional crossover. Talk about a power move!

🌍 The Open-World Wanderer: Stray Kids' Felix

With a voice that commands attention in rap and a presence that captivates on stage, Felix finds a different kind of expression in the vast, beautiful world of Genshin Impact. He immerses himself in its lore and team-building mechanics, happily sharing his character roster—featuring the likes of Baal and Ayaka—with fans. It's a creative outlet that mirrors his artistic side. Though his forays into League of Legends with his bandmates often end in playful chaos (maybe some things are best left to the pros), his dedication to Teyvat is unwavering, offering fans a glimpse into the imaginative spaces he explores off-duty.

🏰 The Evolved Gamer: TWICE's Mina

Mina's journey as a gamer is a testament to the evolution of play itself. From the humble, pixelated companionship of a Tamagotchi and the handheld adventures on a Nintendo DS, she has graduated to a full-fledged gaming PC setup. This quiet and introverted member of TWICE becomes notably vocal when discussing games like Elsword, Overwatch, or the boundless creativity of Minecraft. Her gaming history is a nostalgic trip through digital eras, and her current setup represents the serious commitment of a true enthusiast. Fans hold onto hope that one day she might stream her sessions, turning a private passion into a shared adventure.

Idol	Group	Known For Playing	Gaming Style
Heeseung	ENHYPEN	League of Legends, KartRider	Strategic & Passionate
Jennie	BLACKPINK	Overwatch, Gardenscapes	Versatile & Casual
Felix	Stray Kids	Genshin Impact	Immersive & Creative
Mina	TWICE	Minecraft, Elsword	Evolved & Dedicated

✈️ The Committed Professional: EXO's Baekhyun

Baekhyun embodies the ultimate fusion of idol life and gamer dedication. His commitment is legendary—packing a full gaming setup in a special suitcase for international tours ensures no downtime is wasted. This isn't casual play; it's a practiced skill. His prowess in League of Legends and PUBG has drawn acknowledgment from professional gamers, placing him in a unique tier where celebrity and genuine skill intersect. By streaming his gameplay, he offers more than entertainment; he provides a masterclass, inviting fans to learn from his strategic moves and quick reflexes. It's a side career built on pure, unadulterated passion.

🏹 The Golden Player: BTS's Jungkook

BTS's Jungkook, the multi-talented "golden maknae," extends his excellence into the gaming arena. A hardcore Overwatch fan, he has showcased stunning skill, particularly with the precision-based sniper Widowmaker, pulling off game-winning plays that would make any esports athlete proud. His gaming journey includes the dream scenario of playing alongside the legendary LoL player Faker. It begs the question: if he weren't a global music icon, could he have climbed the ranks of competitive gaming? His ability to master complex characters and mechanics suggests a parallel universe where his name is chanted in stadiums for digital, rather than musical, triumphs.

🏝️ The Dedicated Islander: BLACKPINK's Jisoo

Jisoo completes BLACKPINK's gaming representation not just as a player, but as a community leader. Her love for the tranquil, creative life-simulation of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is so profound that fellow idol Jeon Somi noted seeing her online daily until dawn. This passion culminated in an official collaboration, creating a BLACKPINK-themed island—a meta-experience where her virtual and real-world roles beautifully collided. Beyond peaceful islands, she thrives in the social structures of MMORPGs, even earning the respected role of a guild leader. Her dedication in gaming mirrors her professional ethos: committed, involved, and deeply passionate.

👑 The Ultimate Enthusiast: Super Junior's Heechul

Heechul stands as the undisputed patriarch of K-Pop gaming. His devotion transcends hobbyism, entering the realm of lifestyle. His revelation of spending over $30,000 on mobile games alone speaks of a collector's spirit, the guy who definitely has all the coolest skins. He is critically recognized for his skill, particularly in League of Legends, where he has held his own in show matches against top-tier esports teams like T1. Heechul blurs the lines so effectively that his career identity becomes a delightful puzzle. Is he a veteran K-Pop idol who games, or a pro gamer who sings? In 2026, the answer is simply: he is both, a pioneer who legitimized the gamer-idol hybrid long before it became a common narrative.

In the end, these stories reveal a beautiful contradiction. The very idols who perform under the most scrutinizing lights find solace and challenge in the glow of a monitor. Their gaming lives are not mere distractions but extensions of their personalities—strategic, creative, communal, and fiercely passionate. They remind us that behind every flawless performance is a person who, like millions around the world, finds joy, connection, and a sense of self in the boundless universes of video games. It's a shared language, spoken in the quiet moments between world tours and comebacks, connecting star and fan in the most unexpectedly ordinary way.

Data referenced from NPD Group helps contextualize why so many K-pop idols gravitate toward endlessly replayable hits like shooters, MOBAs, and open-world titles: market research consistently shows that player time and engagement concentrate around durable, frequently updated “live” games. That same long-tail design—seasonal content, ranked ladders, social squads, and daily quests—maps neatly onto the idols in the blog above, whether it’s Heeseung’s competitive LoL grind, Baekhyun’s travel-ready setup for consistent practice, or Jisoo’s nightly Animal Crossing routine built around community and progression.