Namgung Hoon, Who Shouted "Turn 180 Degrees," Emerges as Kakao's Innovation Man [Buaeri's Game Dictionary]

Namgung Hoon, Kakao CEO Nominee

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] "Organizations and work have inertia, so you have to turn 180 degrees and run to change them." This is what Namgung Hun, the newly appointed CEO of Kakao, emphasized to employees since his time as CEO of Wemade. As he becomes the new leader of Kakao, which is facing a crisis due to controversy over executives selling their shares and fleeing, the industry is paying close attention to whether Kakao can change 180 degrees.

According to Kakao on the 22nd, Namgung will be appointed as the sole CEO of Kakao after the shareholders' meeting and board of directors in March. Namgung is a figure with considerable strength in the gaming industry, having served as CEO of Wemade and Kakao Games. Known as a close aide to Kim Beom-su, chairman of Kakao, he joined Samsung SDS in 1997 and formed a connection with Chairman Kim. After founding 'Hangame' with Chairman Kim in 1999, his life has been dedicated solely to games. After Hangame merged with Naver to become NHN, Namgung served as head of business divisions and head of Korean games. Later, he served as CEO of Wemade Entertainment and acquired Engine, the predecessor of Kakao Games. In December 2015, the game company Engine, led by Namgung, merged with Daum Games, leading to the birth of Kakao Games in 2016.

Colleagues who worked with him in the gaming industry evaluated him as a person who catches 'change' well. In 2012, Namgung seized the opportunity to lead the mobile era at Wemade. At that time, when PC games were dominant in the domestic game market, he foresaw the opening of the mobile era. Namgung laid the foundation for Wemade to remain solid by successfully launching titles like 'Windrunner' and 'Candy Pang'. At that time, Wemade had no significant achievements other than the success of 'Mir'. A gaming industry insider who worked closely with Namgung described him as "charismatic, but sometimes playful and hearty in personality."

His ability to spot opportunities in crises continued at Kakao Games. At the end of 2015, when game companies contracted with Kakao began to announce their own services in a 'de-Kakao' phenomenon, Namgung appeared as a savior. He was also the person who secured a contract renewal with Netmarble at that time. Subsequently, the merger of Engine, the game company he led, and Daum Games led to the birth of Kakao Games in 2016. Namgung successfully led Kakao Games' listing and spearheaded the hit of the new title 'Odin: Valhalla Rising', creating the era of the emerging force '2K (Kakao Games and Krafton)' in the gaming industry dominated by the 3N (NCSoft, Nexon, Netmarble).

As the new leader of Kakao, attention is focused on whether he will seize opportunities from crises once again. Kakao, having experienced internal strife, now bears the heavy burden of finding future growth engines along with leadership innovation. Namgung has set his sights on the metaverse. He said, "I will open the era of metaforming to pioneer the boundless land of the metaverse," adding, "Though the responsibility is heavy, I will focus on discovering new lands through the metaverse, expanding into the global market, and making Kakao a company loved by the people and growing."

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