Kakao celebrated the 12th anniversary of emoticons by revealing on the 28th various records created by emoticons over the past 12 years and the emoticons that shone this year.
The total number of individual emoticons released over the past 12 years is approximately 600,000. The cumulative number of sent emoticons has surpassed 260 billion. As of 2023, the average monthly number of emoticon users and the cumulative number of emoticon purchasers were analyzed to be 30 million and 29 million, respectively.
Kakao celebrated the 12th anniversary of emoticons by revealing various records created by emoticons over the past 12 years and the emoticons that shone this year on the 28th. [Image=Kakao]
The number of subscribers to 'Emoticon Plus,' launched in 2021, has exceeded 2 million. 'Emoticon Plus,' a subscription service, allows unlimited use of individual emoticons according to emotions or situations. It enables easy use and rich conversations through automatic recommendations based on keywords.
Kakao emoticons currently provide about 67,000 matching texts, helping users express a variety of emotions and situations. For example, there are over 9,000 emoticons expressing the commonly used word "ne" (yes), including variations like "ne," "neng," and "nep."
Through the '2023 Emoticon Awards,' Kakao also introduced emoticons that received users' love throughout the year. The Emoticon Awards revealed nine emoticons that shone this year by theme, similar to a year-end awards ceremony.
Notably, 'Today's Meme' was selected for the 'Office Worker Empathy Award,' loved by office workers in their 30s and 40s. 'Jjigeureong Duck' won the 'Consistent Popularity Award' for steadily gaining popularity throughout the year with various series releases. The 'Best Couple Award' went to 'Gomdoljjingi and Tokkijjing,' a couple character emoticon loved by many.
The 'Chart Comeback Award,' given to emoticons whose popularity surged after release, was awarded to 'Sukidokine Friends.' 'Tintintinkle' won the 'Popular Goods Award' for receiving great love not only as emoticons but also as merchandise. Among the newly released emoticons in 2022, 'Munyongi, Twaldeok, and Cute Bbojjag Gomdori,' selected as rising stars through voting, were also revealed as popular emoticons.
Kim Ji-hyun, head of Kakao’s Digital Item Team, said, "The emoticon ecosystem was formed based on users' love, and it has been able to sustain continuous growth over 12 years by growing alongside creators. We will strive to support more creators' creative activities and build an emoticon ecosystem that users can enjoy."
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