"Memories Anew," "Embarrassing Past"… The Return of Cyworld Sparks Daily Buzz

Preview Feature Supported Ahead of Official Service Launch
Find ID, Check Post Count, etc.
"Brings Back Memories," "Dark History Might Be Exposed" Trending in Online Spaces

Cyworld, which launched its first service in 1999, grew based on microblog content called 'Minihompy'. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "My old ID is still there.", "I didn't realize I uploaded so many photos."

Millions of netizens flocked to the news of the reopening of the domestic native social networking service (SNS) 'Cyworld'. Ahead of the official service launch, Cyworld currently supports simple functions such as finding IDs and checking the number of photos, videos, and posts. Netizens from the MZ generation, familiar with using Cyworld, expressed their anticipation to quickly find photos and posts filled with past memories. On the other hand, some voiced concerns about their childhood 'dark history' being exposed.

Before the official service resumed on the 4th, Cyworld introduced a preview service. The 'preview service' allows users to check their old Cyworld IDs and the number of photos, videos, and posts uploaded after a simple real-name verification process. However, it prioritizes members who have visited Cyworld at least once since January 1, 2015 (estimated about 18 million members).

As the 'preview service' opened, hundreds of netizens rushed to Cyworld, causing connection delays. According to the developer 'Cyworld Z', the website exceeded 4 million visitors in one day, and about 2.18 million visitors successfully found their IDs and completed real-name verification.

Cyworld official website supporting preview services such as ID recovery / Photo by Cyworld capture

Young adults in their 20s and 30s, familiar with Cyworld, shared their post information and recalled memories related to Cyworld.

A 20-something, A, who succeeded in real-name verification, said, "I found out I uploaded over 1,000 photos while using Cyworld. Looking at them brings back vivid memories," adding, "Before moving to Instagram or Facebook, I think I was really crazy about it, but somehow I had completely forgotten."

There were also voices worried about childhood 'dark history' being exposed. B (29), who used Cyworld during elementary and middle school, said, "What if someone searches my ID and digs up all my past dark history photos? It's terrifying," and added, "Once it opens, I will immediately log in and delete everything."

Cyworld is a 'native' SNS that first launched its service on August 1, 1999. It supported a service style where users uploaded photos, posts, and BGM (background music) mainly on microblogs called 'Minihompy'.

It was reported that over 4 million users visited in just one day on the 4th. / Photo by Cyworld homepage capture

Cyworld gained popularity in the early 2000s when high-speed internet began to spread domestically, becoming a large platform with a total of 32 million members by 2011. However, it could not avoid a decline as foreign SNS such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram entered the market.

In 2016, Cyworld attracted an investment of 5 billion KRW from Samsung Venture Investment and attempted various initiatives such as launching news services and issuing virtual currencies to differentiate itself from other SNS, but it could not overcome management difficulties. Eventually, it ceased service in October 2019.

Regarding this, former Cyworld CEO Jeon Jae-wan expressed confidence on the 2nd, saying, "We will regain our former glory." In a statement posted under his name on the official website that day, he said, "The Cyworld service has gone through many ups and downs over the past 20 years but has not died and has endured to this day," adding, "The precious memories of each of the 32 million members are the greatest strength that has allowed us to endure this long and difficult journey."