"KaTok* to me~" It is a new bye. KaKaoTalk has become the routine for smartphone users. Some people buy smartphones to use this most beloved application among smartphone users. The Sookmyung Times (SMT) met developer of KaKaoTalk and president of KaKao Corp, Lee Je-beom (LEE).
SMT Communication service was rare until the iPhone was sold in Korea. How did you take an interest in that field?
LEE KaKaoTalk attracted 20 million members in a year and a half and developed rapidly. I think it was possible due to the Smartphone revolution. I used to develop web services and accumulated techniques and know-how. In late 2009, I concentrated on smart phone application development, especially on communication service to make a provision for the iPhone’s release in Korea. Since, I believed that communication service would be the biggest market in mobile Internet compared to search engines which created the biggest market in the desktop Internet.
SMT Many people are afraid to take risks. What is a challenge for you?
LEE If no one takes risks, there will be no change and no improvement. A challenging spirit that dares to fail can create novel values and change the world. In the era of the mobile Internet, bold advances toward the global market are needed. The opportunity to enter the global market is more open in the era of the mobile Internet. If a company settles for the domestic market like previous Internet companies, it will be nothing but a babe in the woods. I hope that young people challenge
the global market and make success stories. Now, I long for the time that we as Koreans can
dream a success in the global market.
SMT What is the motto of KaKao ?
LEE The business philosophy of KaKao is “Making a better world together.” We will develop and provide services to make a better world and continue our efforts to foster healthy mobile ecosystems growing together. If we can make the world a better and happier place through our endeavors, I think that is a success for KaKaoTalk.
SMT It seems that application development is in the scientific and engineering fields. What do you think about it? Many students who major in liberal arts will be curious.
LEE Developers with scientific and technical knowledge are essential because applications are made by programs. However, there are few apps or services that are made by a developer on his own. Developers, planners, and designers make them together as a team. It is humans that utilize services. No services can last for long if there is no understanding about humans and society. In that sense, knowledge and interest in humanities play a crucial role to make good services. Considering of the services that people need, inconveniences, and potential needs, and coming up with innovative ideas will be a foundation to make a worthy mobile service.
SMT How do you have insight to read current trends?
LEE I make efforts to keep up with trends at a rapid pace of change and learn new technologies and services. Reading popular blogs in Korea and abroad could be a good way to catch up with current trends. It is also an effective way to receive news and opinions filtered by IT professionals via Twitter.
SMT In the United States, it is a fad to quit school and start a business emulating people like Zuckerberg, and Gates. To reflect this trend many youngsters in Korea dream of being the next Lee Je-beom. Do you have any advice to app developers in the future?
LEE In my opinion, man can achieve as much as he dreams. There is hardly anyone who succeeds at the first go-off. Most of the successful people experienced many failures and learned lessons to finally succeed. Having a big dream and challenging spirit daring to fail are the most important.
LEE If there is no one to take risks, the society would fall behind. The future of Korea is up to SMT Originally, businesses aim to make profits. However, KaKaoTalk is a kind of kindhearted company to users in many ways. What do you think about the social roles of companies and managers? LEE The success of a company is possible through hard work of staff members. However, companies have to be sure to remember that it was possible thanks to the golden opportunities from society. Huge success is a matter of who catches the opportunity that society made first. Thus, companies should be faithful to their social duties and roles. KaKao is in its infancy and has a long way to go, however, I think we have to start the efforts to contribute to society now. For the past ten years, it was the dark ages for venture businesses. Major companies and portal site companies monopolized the market and venture companies could hardly survive. However, with the era of the mobile Internet the opportunities for ventures have opened up. Mobile ecosystem is the keyword for KaKao now. We continue our efforts to contribute to build mobile ecosystems that let ventures and mobile companies grow together. Creating a bigger market and building mobile ecosystems * the abbreviation of KaKaoTalk
SMT Is there any special reason you became interested in inspiring youngsters?
college students and youngsters. If I can share my humble experiences with them and help
them to lower some trials and errors, it will be the most valuable thing for me. Thus, I try to
participate in interviews or lectures from college to talk with them closer.
that enable challenging new ventures to grow together are KaKao’s dream.
