K-pop icon Jin, a member of the global phenomenon BTS, has officially renewed his partnership with South Korean-Japanese game developer Nexon for a fresh wave of content. The collaboration, announced on Monday (Mar 23), is set to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the long-running online multiplayer game, MapleStory. This marks the second time the singer has professionally collaborated with the title, following his highly popular “internship” project with the Planning Team in 2022.
As part of the 23rd-anniversary festivities, Nexon is releasing a four-episode behind-the-scenes series on MapleStory’s official YouTube channel. The footage documents Jin’s active participation in the development process, ranging from creative brainstorming sessions to formal update pitches.
Fans of the singer will also be able to interact with a special non-playable character (NPC) in-game, which features voice lines personally recorded by Jin for this update.
The new in-game content introduces a magical garden-themed environment where players can engage in unique activities to boost their character levels. By collecting special items such as fertiliser and potions to grow magical flora, players can progress through the event and participate in a dice-rolling mini-game for exclusive prizes. Additionally, a limited-edition character outfit inspired by Jin’s personal style—including designs that incorporate his own handwriting—will be available for purchase until 17 June.
Jin’s involvement with the game stems from a genuine, long-term passion for the franchise, having frequently shared his gameplay experiences with fans over the years. This latest project coincides with a massive resurgence in activity for BTS, following the release of their first album in over three years, titled Arirang, on 20 March. The group recently celebrated their return with a historic livestreamed performance at Gwanghwamun Square, which is now available for global viewing on Netflix.
The collaboration comes amidst a packed international schedule for the superstar group, who recently held an exclusive fan event with Spotify in New York on 23 March. BTS is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 25 and 26 March, followed by the highly anticipated release of their Netflix documentary, BTS: The Return, on Friday (27 March). This multi-platform presence highlights the group’s continued dominance in both the music and digital entertainment sectors.
