Kakao Talk was initially released by the same company that was responsible for the creation of Kakao Story. Kakao Story is a photo-sharing application that was developed as an alternative to Instagram. If the previous app was designed to be Korea's answer to Whatsapp, then Kakao Story is an alternative to Instagram.

Kakao Story has more users than Facebook in South Korea, although Instagram remains one of the most popular social media networks.

Kakao Story, which competes with apps like Tiktok and Instagram Reels, has recognized the success of Tiktok and Instagram Reels and has responded by integrating a new feature called "stories" into its app.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://story.kakao.com

Cyworld (싸이월드) is a microblog platform that was first introduced in the year 1999. Imagine it as the equivalent of MySpace in Korea!

In the middle to late 2000s, this social networking service was South Korea's dominant force, helping to shape the country's internet culture in a way that was both iconic and unequaled.

You were provided with a “미니홈피 (minihompy)” on Cyworld, often known as a "mini home page," which you could personalize and use as a blog or journal. Does this ring a bell?

When it came to presenting themselves online in the past, Koreans put a lot of effort into customizing not just their minihompy but also their minime (avatar) and BGM (background music). People paid for them using Cyworld's own currency, called acorn (도토리 or dotori), and referred to their followers and friends as “ilchon (일촌).” How adorable!

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://cyworld.com/

KakaoTalk, or KaTalk, is a popular mobile messaging app operated by Kakao Corporation in South Korea. Since its launch in March 2010, it has gained significant traction and is now available on both mobile and desktop platforms.

As of August 2022, KakaoTalk boasts 53 million monthly active users, with 47 million residing in Korea. The app supports 15 languages and is utilized by 93% of smartphone owners in South Korea, making it the country's most widely used messaging app for smartphones and personal computers. KakaoTalk's prominence surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as it became a valuable tool in the fight against the virus, with cooperation from the South Korean government.

The app offers free calling and messaging services, allowing users to easily share photos, videos, voice messages, locations, web links, and contact information. It facilitates one-on-one conversations and group chats with an unlimited number of participants. KakaoTalk enables users to synchronize their contact lists, helping them connect with friends who also use the service. Contact search is possible using KakaoTalk IDs without requiring phone numbers. Users can export and save their messages, providing a convenient backup option.

While initially a messenger service, KakaoTalk has evolved into a platform that supports distributing third-party content and apps. It offers a wide range of downloadable games that users can play with friends directly through the messaging platform. The "Plus Friend" feature enables users to follow brands, media outlets, and celebrities to receive exclusive messages, coupons, and real-time information within KakaoTalk chatrooms. Moreover, the app's "Gifting" platform facilitates the purchase of real-life goods.

In January 2021, KakaoTalk introduced the "Emoticon Plus" service, which allows users to access an unlimited collection of emoticons for a monthly fixed rate of ₩3,900. Users can subscribe to "KakaoTalk Wallet" and purchase Emoticon Plus through the wallet platform, streamlining the payment process.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://www.kakaocorp.com/page/service/service/KakaoTalk?lang=en

Line (라인) is a mobile messenger that was created in 2011 by LINE Corporation (which was originally known as Naver Japan).

You don't need a working phone number to sign up; all you need is a valid ID or a Facebook account. The primary feature consists of endearing character representations of emotions, which were previously overlooked in other chat applications (up until the time that KakaoTalk debuted Kakao Friends).

The majority of Koreans rely on KakaoTalk as their primary messenger app, while Line serves as their secondary option. Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand are the three countries with the largest active Line user bases.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://line.me/ko

Naver Cafe is often known as an online community and forum that is based in South Korea. The beginning of the service was in December 1999. It is currently one of the most influential and successful online forums in Korea, and its reach and influence are enormous. Naver developed their very own translation app, and it's actually pretty good.

To view all of the information that you are interested in, you will need to sign up for a Naver ID and join (also referred to as leveling up).

Naver Cafe is a social networking platform that, unlike photo and video-sharing apps, gives users the ability to create their own online communities based on the interests that they share with other users.

In May 2017, almost 10.5 million cafes were known to be running on Naver. It also doesn’t let you limit your interests as you can create up to 300 cafes on one account.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://m.cafe.naver.com/

Now, Daum is a little bit unique in comparison to any other social media app in Korea. Sharing films, and images, or engaging in instant messaging are not the primary focuses of this service. Instead, it does this through assisting individuals in connecting with others who share their interests through the use of several "cafes."

This software is extremely well-liked among young people since it allows them to communicate with their preferred public figures.

You will be required to have a KakaoTalk account in order to sign up for Daum, but after you have done so, you will be able to choose from a variety of cafés to join based on your particular areas of interest.

BTS is known for having established a "BANGTAN fancafe" on Daum as a means of communicating with their followers.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://cafe.daum.net/_app

BAND is a mobile community app that promotes group communication. The service, developed by Naver Corporation, is available on iOS, Android, and PC.

Depending on the purpose of the groups, users can create various places for chatting with members of those groups. Existing groups, such as sports teams, marching bands, campus groups, church groups, teams, friends, and family, as well as interest-based groups, such as those for hobbyists, gamers, and fans, are searchable within the app. BAND is a prominent social app in Korea, with more monthly active users than Facebook by June 2014.

Secret Bands are typically formed by members of pre-existing offline organizations that want to stay connected, plan, and interact with one another via mobile. Such groups include sports teams, clubs, courses, work teams, church groups, organizations, and extended families. After creating a group on the BAND app, a member can invite others by sending a Band URL via SMS, messenger applications, or email. Members can then use the URL to sign up for the BAND app and join the group.

Interest-based groups, such as people who share common life experiences or hobbies, gamers, fans, and so on, form closed and public bands.

In April 2014, BAND introduced a gaming platform that allowed players to play games and compete against one another. BAND has become an official communication medium in the Republic of Korea Army in South Korea.

Users can change their notification choices to choose how and when to receive mobile notifications. Band's "read by" function lets the group's leader know which members have viewed the post, allowing users to track group member engagement conveniently.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: https://band.us/en

In spite of its reputation as an Asian nation that upholds traditional family values and the importance of community ties, South Korea is becoming an increasingly isolating place for adults who are in the workforce.

Somoim is a social networking app that lets people get to know their neighbors and connects them with one another.

The gist is that it is an app for location-based social networking that notifies you if any meetings, gatherings, parties, or events are taking place in your general vicinity.

Participating in the formation of a group that routinely gets together to engage in more social pursuits such as touring, drinking, dining, and other activities is something you can do.

It is intended to assist those who are lonely in connecting with others in a way that has no strings attached...but with kind people.

Available on iOS and Android

Website: http://www.friendscube.com/