{"id":44470,"date":"2025-06-05T20:42:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T11:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/?post_type=brands&p=44470"},"modified":"2025-07-24T14:50:51","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T05:50:51","slug":"kaleidoscope-14","status":"publish","type":"brands","link":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/brands\/kakao\/","title":{"rendered":"Kakao"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kakao began to grow rapidly in 2010 when it launched its mobile messenger KakaoTalk. At a time when smartphones were rapidly spreading, Kakao gained huge popularity by introducing KakaoTalk, which offered free real-time messaging and various functions instead of existing text messages (SMS) and calls. In particular, KakaoTalk\u2019s \u201cchat rooms\u201d and \u201cemoticons\u201d provided users with new ways to communicate, and it quickly grew to millions of users. In addition, considering the scalability of the platform, KakaoTalk added various services such as games, shopping, finance, and music, expanding its influence across all aspects of users\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2014, Kakao was reorganized into a company called \u201cKakao\u201d that operates various services centered around KakaoTalk, and has since launched various subsidiaries such as an advertising platform that supports mobile marketing for companies, Kakao Games, Kakao Pay, and Kakao Bank. Kakao has positioned itself as a \u201clife-integrated platform\u201d that integrates all services in daily life, such as payment services, remittance services, and shopping services through KakaoTalk. In addition, Kakao has diversified its revenue model by expanding its advertising business by utilizing the strong user base and big data based on KakaoTalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 2020s, Kakao is growing by focusing more on technology-based businesses such as Kakao Mobility (Kakao T) and Kakao Enterprise (AI, cloud, etc.). Kakao is leading digital innovation by expanding into various fields such as AI, fintech, mobility, and content, and is also continuously making efforts to strengthen its competitiveness in the global market. Currently, Kakao is a representative tech company in Korea and is continuously growing while exerting influence in various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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visual identity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The name 'Kakao' was taken from the cacao fruit, hoping to create a service that anyone can easily access and enjoy. Kakao's representative color, yellow, was a color that distinguished it from Naver (green), Nate (red), Daum (blue), Facebook (blue), and Twitter (sky blue). The bright yellow color, combined with the small and cute emoticons that represent Kakao, gives a light and friendly impression. Instead of revealing the individuality of the Kakao brand, the service uses round and comfortable shapes and simple lines to a minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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yellow speech bubble<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the advent of the smartphone era, free chatting became possible. Existing mobile phones were similar to emails, and looked like documents. KakaoTalk designed a UI suitable for real-time conversation. At that time, yellow was used to distinguish between what I was saying and what the other person was saying. This soon came to symbolize free communication through the Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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emoticon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

KakaoTalk focused on communication using images. At first, it created emoticons using illustrations by famous webtoon artists at the time, such as Kang Full, Lee Mal-nyeon, Bbaeng, and Norangumi. Later, in 2012, the seven Kakao Friends designed by illustrator Hojo appeared and became a nationwide hit. Each character has their own story and complex. In 2016, 'Ryan' was newly added and became very popular, and in 2020, 'Chun-sik', who goes around with Ryan, became another hit and continued its popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Product Impact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kakao is a messenger. It offers various services, but the core experience is 'chat'. It is important for users to connect comfortably, communicate happily, and use useful tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because network effects are important, it\u2019s important that everyone uses the product, and dwell time and revisit rates need to increase to increase opportunities to link to other Kakao services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since chat is provided for free, it generates revenue by linking to other Kakao services. Kakao has been providing services for free and has not made any revenue for a long time, but it started generating revenue by adding a social login function to the game and distributing the game under the name of 'for Kakao'.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the revenue model has expanded to include selling content such as emoticons, selling products through the shopping tab, and recently added advertising banners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Easy and convenient communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The important thing about messenger services is the network effect, where the more people around you use them, the more you have no choice but to use them. Kakao quickly took over the market when mobile messengers were growing, and became a service that everyone uses. So you don\u2019t have to worry about whether the other person has KakaoTalk installed or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost any kind of communication can be done quickly and smoothly. You can communicate with almost any form of information that can be exchanged in a digital environment, including not only text, but also emoticons, images, and videos. Communication becomes more convenient with useful tools such as schedules and polls added around the chat window. You can also create rooms for individuals, groups, or anyone can join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Strong linkage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We provide various services centered around the messenger KakaoTalk that we use every day. You can start the service by simply linking without having to create an account. We provide various life-related services such as \u2018Kakao Games\u2019 that you can enjoy with friends, \u2018Kakao T\u2019 that is useful for catching a taxi centered around KakaoTalk, \u2018Kakao Pay\u2019 that allows you to easily make payments and transfer money, and \u2018Kakao Bank\u2019, an internet bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kakao Map<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Introduction of AI-based services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We've made restaurant search much more convenient by incorporating AI functions. With the 'AI restaurant search function', users can input desired conditions such as region, preferred menu, price, and whether or not to bring a pet as if they were having a conversation, and receive recommendations for restaurants that match their tastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, 'AI Mate Local' not only recommends places, but also helps you check summarized store information, blog summary information, AI recommended menus, etc. by asking AI questions about places (e.g., availability of parking, availability of high chairs, availability of corkage). This AI function is available in Kakao Map app version 6.4.0 or higher, and is currently limited to the restaurant category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of the AI restaurant search function shows that Kakao Map is evolving beyond simple information provision into an 'intelligent service' that understands user intent and proactively suggests 'customized solutions'. The 'conversational search' interface provides users with a more intuitive and convenient experience and reduces the complexity of searches. This strengthens the role of the map app as a search engine and helps users find the information they want more quickly and accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expert Profile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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By the end of 2024, Kakao Map will make it easy to find and reserve local experts (repair, interior design, hobby classes, etc.) on Kakao Map. Only experts with official certifications such as licenses or business registration certificates can register, ensuring reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When users enter a keyword (e.g. air conditioner repair) in the Kakao Map search bar, a list of nearby experts will be displayed, and each profile contains information such as the area of activity, qualifications, service description, and photos. Real-time consultation and reservations are also possible via Kakao Talk through the 'Chat Consultation' button in the profile. Registered expert profiles are linked to the Kakao Talk 'Make a Reservation' tab to improve accessibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expanding indoor map services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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On January 31, 2024, we introduced an indoor map service to about 100 major domestic complex commercial facilities, including department stores, outlets, and large shopping malls. This service was developed in collaboration with AI spatial information technology company Davio. After the app version 5.15.0 update, users can view detailed store information and locations by floor, and can also receive information on convenience facilities such as restrooms, elevators, escalators, and stairs. Kakao plans to reflect new store opening and closing information in real time and expand it to provide indoor navigation functions and parking information in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 25, 2025, the airport indoor map service was expanded to 15 airports including Jeju, Muan, Yangyang, Ulsan, Yeosu, Gimhae, Daegu, Cheongju, and Gwangju in preparation for the summer vacation season. Starting with Incheon and Gimpo Airports, we have been providing the floor-by-floor locations and operating hours of passenger convenience facilities (restrooms, elevators), duty-free shops, and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indoor map services go beyond simply finding directions and are directly connected to various consumer activities such as shopping, dining, and leisure activities in indoor spaces. This suggests that Kakao Map can promote the digitalization of offline commercial areas and ultimately lay the foundation for creating new business models such as location-based advertising, reservations, and payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Precision public transportation boarding and disembarkation notifications and real-time information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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On November 12, 2018, the mobile map app 'Kakao Map' updated its public transportation boarding and disembarking notification feature. This feature provides travel-related information based on the user's location and real-time public transportation operation information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After running the route search, clicking the bell-shaped icon will activate the notification, and you will receive a boarding notification when approaching the boarding location, and an alighting notification when approaching the alighting point. On Android smartphones, you can check real-time information on the lock screen and top notification bar without opening the app, and voice guidance is also provided when earphones are connected. Kakao Map emphasizes that it provides the fastest route with the latest information updated within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boarding\/disembarking notification feature is an essential feature for users who use public transportation in unfamiliar places or engage in other activities while moving, and it greatly improves user convenience by eliminating the anxiety of missing the disembarkation point. This is a key feature enhancement that takes into account the characteristics of Korea, where public transportation usage is high. In particular, it has established itself as a 'must-have' feature for users with repetitive movement patterns, such as commuting to and from work.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":31497,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"industry":[2256,2258,2264,2274,2223,2225,2240,2228],"class_list":["post-44470","brands","type-brands","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","industry-2256","industry-2258","industry-2264","industry-2274","industry-2223","industry-2225","industry-ai","industry-sns"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/brands\/44470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/brands"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/brands"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/brands\/44470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/designcompass.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=44470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}