Virtual K-pop group PLAVE promotes PNC with PUBG Esports collaboration

PUBG Esports has partnered with virtual K-pop group PLAVE ahead of the 2025 PUBG Nations Cup (PNC).

The K-pop group has been featured in several content pieces published on social media and video platforms. PLAVE also announced a special edition helmet for the PNC tournament as well as a PNC-focused weapon skin.

PLAVE (플레이브) is a virtual boy group under music label VLAST, consisting of five members: Yejun, Noah, Bamby, Eunho and Hamin. Debuting in 2023 in South Korea, the group recently made its debut in Japan last month. 

The 2025 PUBG Nations Cup, which kicks off today on July 23th, will see the best players from a total of 24 countries compete for a share of the $500,000 (~£369,674) prize pool. The winning team will take home $150,000 (~£110,902). Despite having the big prize pool, the PUBG Nations Cup doesn’t form part of the title’s path to the Global Championship. 

This is the first time the PNC implements a 24-team tournament, with previous editions only hosting 16 squads. South Korea won the two previous editions and will be looking to compete for the third consecutive title in front of its home fans.

Due to the event being held in South Korea, PUBG Esports has been working in close contact with several K-pop groups. Aside from PLAVE, the PNC will see K-pop girl group aespa perform their new single, ‘Dark Arts,’ a promotional single, for the first time during the finals on July 27th. This is part of a wider collaboration between the music group and the game title.

In 2021, PUBG also collaborated with Blackpink, releasing limited-edition items featuring elements of the K-pop group. Similarly, the mobile version of PUBG also had a collaboration with another popular K-pop group, BABYMONSTER, earlier in May, although it wasn’t an esports-focused activation.