Social Media Skyrockets in South Korea

We often talk about the growing number of apps, like Kakao Talk and Pudding, and smartphones in Korea.

Social media (often referred to as SNS, or social networking services, in Korea) has also been making headlines, as it goes hand-in-hand with the two mentioned above.

As such, some experts are seeing 2012 as a “breakout” year for social media marketing in Korea.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have seen exponential growth locally. Brands in Korea have proven that they can draw large numbers of social media fans by engaging people directly and offering something of value – whether that’s improved customer service, access to offline events, interesting information or a sense of community.

Korea’s top brands, like Kia and Hyundai,  as well as cultural icons, like SM Town, are the top three companies on Facebook in Korea.

There are also a growing number of Korea-specific apps that tap into social media or, in the case of the near-ubiquitous Kakao Talk messenger app, replicate many of the features of a social network on a mobile-only platform. More than half of all Koreans now carry smartphones, making mobile apps, websites and advertising as competitive as they are relevant.

Have a look at the infographic below for more insight on the social media landscape in Korea.

Which platforms are your favorites? Which are the most popular in your country? Let us know in the comments!