Ghaziabad – In a heart-breaking incident that has shocked the entire country, three minor sisters – aged 16, 14, and 12 – jumped to their deaths from the ninth-floor balcony of their apartment in Bharat City Society early this morning. The girls, identified as Vishika (16), Prachi (14), and Pakhi (12), left behind a suicide note and an eight-page diary that point to a deep obsession with a Korean task-based online game and Korean culture.
Police reached the spot around 2:15 AM after neighbours heard the fall. The sisters were rushed to a nearby hospital in Loni but were declared dead on arrival. Their father, Chetan Kumar, is completely broken. He says the girls had become so addicted to a game called “Korean Lover” that they started believing they were Korean princesses and could not live without it.
How the Night Unfolded
The family was sleeping in their flat in Tower B-1 of Bharat City, Sahibabad area, under Teela Mor police station. The girls woke up quietly, saying they wanted water. They locked the room from inside, climbed on a chair near the balcony railing, and jumped one by one.
An eyewitness living on the 10th floor saw the eldest sister, Vishika, sitting on the ledge and rocking. The middle sister, Prachi, hugged her, and both fell when Vishika toppled backward. The youngest, Pakhi, tried to catch them but also fell. All three died from the impact.
The girls had thrown their mobile phones outside the room before jumping. Police recovered the phones and are examining them.
The Suicide Note and Diary
Police found an eight-page handwritten note in a diary inside the room. It had messages like:
“Sorry Papa… we cannot leave Korea. Korea is our life, and you can’t make us leave it. That’s why we are committing suicide.”
There was also a crying-face drawing and the line: “Read everything written in this diary because all of it is true. Sorry Papa.”
The note showed how much the girls were under the influence of the game. They had even started calling each other by Korean names and thought they were living in Korea.
The Game That Changed Everything – “Korean Lover”
The girls got hooked on a mobile game called “Korean Lover” (also called Korean Love Game) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The game is not available on Google Play or Apple Store. It works through websites or direct downloads.
It has 50 tasks. At first, the tasks are simple and fun – chat with a virtual Korean friend, share photos, stay online at odd hours. Slowly the tasks become personal, then risky, and finally harmful. The final task in such games is often to end one’s life.
The girls played this game together for 2-3 years. They stopped going to school regularly. The eldest was still in Class 4 because she had failed. They did everything together – eating, bathing, sleeping – and followed the game’s tasks as a team. The middle sister Prachi was like the leader in the game.
Their father says, “They often told me they wanted to go to Korea. I never knew the game had such dangerous tasks. If I had known, no father would let his children play it.”
Why the Family Could Not Stop Them
In the last few days, the parents had taken away the phones and scolded the girls for playing too much. This restriction made the girls very upset. Police believe this may have been the final trigger.
Chetan Kumar told reporters, “They did everything together. They even failed in studies and felt shy to go to school. Now I understand how deep the addiction was. Please tell every parent – don’t let your children play these games without knowing what is inside them.”
What is Gaming Addiction?
Doctors say gaming addiction, or Internet Gaming Disorder, is now a recognised mental health problem. The World Health Organization has listed it as a disease. When children play for many hours every day, the brain’s reward system gets affected. They feel happy only when they play and become restless without the phone.
In India, the Economic Survey 2025-26 has warned that excessive gaming and screen time is hurting the mental health of young people. Many teenagers between 15-24 years are suffering from anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and loss of interest in studies because of this.
Forensic psychologist Dr Deepti Puranik says the reward system in the brain goes into overdrive. Children start hiding things from parents, stop meeting friends, and can even think the virtual world is more real than real life.
Similar Cases in the Past
This is not the first time. In 2017, the Blue Whale Challenge (a 50-day task game) led to many suicides in India and other countries. Tasks started easy but ended with self-harm. Many parents did not even know their children were playing it.
The Momo Challenge and other online games have also caused panic. Experts say these games use emotional manipulation. They make children feel special and then trap them.
How Parents Can Protect Their Children
- Talk openly with children about what they are doing on the phone.
- Set screen-time limits – no phone after 9 PM.
- Keep phones out of the bedroom at night.
- Check app downloads together.
- Teach children that virtual friends are not real.
- Spend time with family – play outdoor games, eat meals together.
- If a child becomes secretive or angry when asked to stop using the phone, seek help immediately.
What the Police Are Doing Now
Assistant Commissioner of Police Atul Kumar Singh said the phones are being examined by the cyber cell. The full diary and note are with forensic experts. The entire case is under detailed investigation.
UP DGP Rajeev Krishna has asked all police stations to spread awareness about online addiction and cyber safety.
Reactions Across the Country
The news has gone viral on social media. Many parents are shocked and worried. Teachers say they have seen more children skipping school because of mobile games after COVID.
Mental health experts are calling for stricter rules on online games that target children. They want the government to block such dangerous apps quickly.
What Should You Do If You See Warning Signs?
- Child stays up late on phone
- Gets angry when asked to stop
- Lies about what he/she is doing online
- Stops studying or meeting friends
- Talks about a new “friend” from another country
- Shows sudden sadness or talks about death
Do not ignore these signs. Talk to the child calmly. If needed, take help from a counsellor.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Korean Lover game?
A: It is a task-based online game that uses Korean culture (K-pop, K-dramas) to attract teenagers. It has 50 tasks that start fun but become dangerous. The game is not on normal app stores and is hard for parents to find.
Q2: Were the girls really playing a suicide game?
A: Police have not confirmed that the final task was suicide, but the note clearly shows the girls could not live without the game and Korea. The pattern is similar to other harmful task games.
Q3: How did the addiction start?
A: During COVID-19, schools were closed and classes were online. Many children started using phones a lot. These three sisters got hooked on this Korean game during that time and never stopped.
Q4: What should parents do right now?
A: Check your child’s phone together. Delete unknown apps. Talk every day. Set clear rules. If your child is already addicted, take help from a child psychologist.
Q5: Are there helplines for help?
A: Yes.
- Vandrevala Foundation: 9999 666 555 (24 hours)
- TISS iCall: 022-25521111 (Mon-Sat, 8 AM to 10 PM)
- 1Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
- KIRAN Mental Health Helpline: 1800-5990019
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1800-121-3667 (in many states)
If your child is in immediate danger, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
Q6: Is this the parents’ fault?
A: No parent wants this to happen. Many parents do not know about these hidden dangerous games. This tragedy is a wake-up call for all of us to learn more about what our children are doing online.