[IT Cafe] "I Want to Go Back" - KakaoTalk's Overhaul Draws Divided Reactions

Controversy Over Friends Tab Feature
Users Complain of Fatigue
"No Noticeable AI Features Yet"

Jeongsin A, CEO of Kakao, is introducing the revamp of KakaoTalk at the 'If Kakao 2025' event held on the 23rd.

"I updated because it was the first revamp in 15 years, but now I want to go back to the old version."

User reactions are sharply divided over the transformation of KakaoTalk, South Korea's number one messenger with a monthly active user base of 50 million. At the 'If Kakao 2025' event held on the 23rd, Kakao CEO Jeongsin A described the update as "an unprecedented revamp" and emphasized that "we focused on users' voices." However, many users who have completed the update are expressing dissatisfaction.

The most controversial aspect of this update is the 'Friends Tab.' Previously, it simply displayed a list of friends, but the new version introduces a feed-style user interface (UI) that shows friends' profile updates in a timeline format. Many users report that this has increased their sense of fatigue. Kim Sooyoung said, "After updating KakaoTalk, I was startled to see my ex-boyfriend's profile, whom I broke up with two years ago, filling my screen," and added, "I don't want to see real-time updates of friends' profiles that I have no interest in."

Another user commented, "Honestly, KakaoTalk is used a lot for work, so I'm not sure if turning it into a social networking service (SNS) is the right direction," adding, "The size of advertisements within the KakaoTalk application has also increased, and I can't get used to it." Choi Eunmi said, "KakaoTalk is an app focused on conversations, but with the addition of features reminiscent of Instagram, its core identity feels diluted," and evaluated, "It seems to reflect Kakao's concerns about increasing users' time spent in the app." A new function allowing users to watch short-form videos together in chat rooms was added for younger generations, but the response suggests it may not gain much traction.

Although Kakao highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) features as the main characteristic of this update, users are disappointed that the current version does not include any noticeable AI functions. A Kakao representative explained, "At present, AI is only applied to summarizing recorded VoiceTalk calls," and added, "In the future, when features such as Kanana in KakaoTalk, Kanana conversation summary, Kanana search, and ChatGPT are integrated, users will be able to truly experience the combination with AI." The latest model of OpenAI's ChatGPT, 'GPT-5,' will be available for direct use within KakaoTalk starting at the end of next month.

Negative reviews from users who have already updated are also influencing those who have not yet done so. Park Sanghyeong said, "While chatting with friends in a KakaoTalk group chat, complaints from an iPhone user who updated first became a hot topic," and added, "As Galaxy users are now updating, we're questioning whether we even need to update KakaoTalk." On major portal sites and online communities, guides on how to disable automatic app updates in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store are spreading rapidly. However, some features introduced in this update, such as the ability to edit messages within 24 hours of sending and the addition of a recording function to VoiceTalk, are receiving positive feedback.

Despite announcing a major transformation, Kakao is visibly taken aback by the flood of negative responses. A Kakao representative said, "We are closely monitoring users' reactions," and added, "Since the update is not yet complete and AI features will be added with the integration of ChatGPT next month, we will continue to reflect users' feedback in our service."