Cyworld: South Korea

By Kelsey Gillman

History of Cyworld

Launched in 1999 by KAIST graduatesLaunched in 1999 by KAIST graduates

Purchased in 2003 by SK CommunicationsPurchased in 2003 by SK Communications

Became one of the first companies to profit Became one of the first companies to profit from online salesfrom online sales

80% of Cyworld’s income was generated by 80% of Cyworld’s income was generated by the sale of virtual goods in 2006the sale of virtual goods in 2006

Features & Benefits

Upload and share unlimited amount of Upload and share unlimited amount of picturespictures

Create your virtual homepage: “mini-homphy”Create your virtual homepage: “mini-homphy”-Forum, diary, photo album, guestbook, etc…-Forum, diary, photo album, guestbook, etc…

Jukebox- music player with huge libraryJukebox- music player with huge library

Virtual user- “mini-me” Virtual user- “mini-me” -Change hair, clothes, body position, facial -Change hair, clothes, body position, facial expression expression

Mini-homphy

Mini-me

Virtual Income

Daily income ranges from Daily income ranges from 70-103 million Won70-103 million Won

Cyholics buy about 1 million Cyholics buy about 1 million acorns a dayacorns a day

Users feel compelled to buy Users feel compelled to buy and spend acornsand spend acorns