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On April 25th, Min Hee-Jin, the CEO of Ador, leading the popular new K-Pop group NewJeans, held a live press conference that stirred considerable attention across South Korea. This event was a public stance by Min against the accusations from HYBE, her company’s parent company.
The Press Conference That Shook South Korea
The press conference was truly unprecedented. Min Hee-Jin appeared in an unusual outfit and confidently presented her arguments for over two hours, using informal language. This was all broadcast live on YouTube, streaming her unfiltered appearance and speech to the nation.
The press conference left much to talk. The hat and clothes worn by Min Hee-Jin quickly sold out, and numerous programs parodied her speech. The conference effectively shifted some of the unfavorable public opinion in her favor. However, unexpectedly, the real beneficiary of the conference was a traditional Korean dessert company called 'Myeonggadaondang Yakkwa.'
Image source: Namu Wiki, 'Yakkwa is a traditional Korean sweet pastry, deep-fried and soaked in honey.
The Real Winner of the Press Conference
During Min's speech, the company’s owner used YouTube's Super Chat to donate 5,000 won (around $3.7 USD) and posted a message in the chat window:
“Ms. Hee-Jin, feeling low? Try 'Myeonggadaondang Yakkwa' for a tasty boost!"
Image source: FM Korea
This message was pinned to the top and displayed to over 80,000 live viewers, greatly increasing the brand’s visibility. It went viral across various online communities, all for the cost of just a cup of coffee.
The Intersection of Real-Time Communication Media and Gifting
As the co-founder of SodaGift, a global gifting service, I have witnessed the powerful impact that combining real-time communication media with gifting can have. The owner of 'Myeonggadaondang Yakkwa' leveraged the context of the moment to send a gift, which effectively boosted brand awareness through viral marketing.
Imagine the possibilities if similar opportunities were available on other communication platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Zoom. The quality and enjoyment of communication could transform completely if gifts could be sent contextually during real-time interactions.
Challenges in Real-Time Gifting
Currently, platforms like YouTube or Facebook primarily allow the sending of money as gifts, which represents a significant limitation. Imagine the potential if it were possible to send various e-gifts and physical gifts in real-time. Such capabilities would enable far more diverse and engaging interactions, unrestricted by geographical boundaries.
The absence of viable solutions for sending real gifts instantly can be attributed to several factors: insufficient attention to this issue, technological challenges in developing the necessary systems, and difficulties in building a robust network infrastructure. These issues together make it difficult to start using better and quicker ways to send gifts.
The Vision of SodaGift
SodaGift is actively developing to realize this potential. We aim to create a global environment where anyone can express their emotions in real-time, offering a platform for sharing genuine gifts during significant moments. We envision a day soon when real-time gifting functionalities will be integrated with communication media, enhancing how we connect with each other. We are open to collaboration and welcome inquiries from potential partners. SodaGift is always looking forward to exploring collaborative opportunities.
This blog post was authored by Daniel Lee, the co-founder and CEO of the SodaGift team. A heartfelt thank you to all the contributors who have enriched our team blog with their writing.