BTS Paved the Way... for Game Shows!

The global K-pop supergroup, BTS, has further popularized game shows over the years by completing a mix of seemingly DIY challenges in both ordinary and extraordinary settings.

Readers may read about Noodle Goose's 2026 BTS concert ticket giveaway by clicking here. Read on to learn how BTS paved the way for accessible game shows!

Above: BTS members in 2026 promotional photo. Image source: Big Hit Entertainment 

BTS has appeared on popular Korean shows such as You Quiz on the Block, Na PD's Game Caterers and Running Man. BTS's label, Big Hit Music, has taken this a step further and produced their own in-house game show, Run BTS, which has served as a powerful vehicle to connect with fans. It has been published on multiple platforms, including VLive (now defunct), Weverse, and YouTube. 

Let's dive into how BTS and Big Hit Music harnessed the power of play, game design and game shows to support their growing empire and and what game studios can learn from Run BTS!

A game show that turns fans into gamers and gamers into fans

Here are 5 key ingredients that contribute to Run BTS's success and wide market reach.

1. Translation of subtitles to multiple languages: Officially in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish; unofficially by fans in multiple languages (e.g. Indonesian, Russian, Tagalog)

2. A familiar cast of characters: always the same seven band members  (OT7). 

Pictured above: BTS members in ep. 1 of Run BTS. Source: BANGTANTV, YouTube

Pictured above: BTS members in a special 2022 episode of Run BTS. Source: BANGTANTV, YouTube

3. Game show challenges included well-known childhood/party/icebreaker games, or games that could be easily understood by an international audience. E.g. Werewolf/Mafia, limbo, scavenger hunt, telephone, dominoes, word play games, concentration, rock paper scissors and even peeling boiled quail eggs and cooking kimchi.

Above: BTS members doing the whisper challenge, a variation of the game Telephone. Image source: BANGTANTV, and Run BTS, YouTube

4. Run BTS's game design's simplicity and variety (physical, social, mental) don't overshadow group members and allow the game to showcase the players' personalities, their interactions, and their strengths and weaknesses in a playful setting. The final edited product is extremely entertaining and has fans feeling immersed in group lore and close to the members. 

Above: BTS members playing limbo in Run BTS ep. 113. Image source: BANGTANTV, YouTube

5. The games are well-written with a clear story format and editing style that retains fans and gets them watching longer and more easily able to talk about the show. Game writing is often overlooked and never should be. Games are media, and media is a form of communication. Simply choosing better thumbnail, tagline or instructions can make all the difference in how people receive your game. 

What does this mean for game developers?

-Simple and low-tech games are fun. Even if things get complicated, it helps to at least have a clear theme or format.

-Accessibility, clear storytelling and consistency will expand market reach and retain audiences

-Game design that brings out interesting human behaviour always makes games more compelling.  

Noodle Goose's services include game show design and production for live events. We believe the time constraints for live games means it is important to follow the principals we listed above to ensure the experiences we design are accessible to its players and audience, making it much easier to satisfy event partners and stakeholders.