I was originally using Naver Pay, but I learned about the app and wallet function here for the first time today. It was convenient to confirm everything from the entrance to tournament information and desired player locations through the Naver Pay app.
On the morning of the 9th, at the Suwon Country Club in Yongin, the KLPGA regular tour event '2025 NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship' opened. Despite the heavy rain, fans of professional golfers watched with bated breath, donning raincoats and holding banners and cheering tools. Park Ji-woong (49), who installed and used the Naver Pay application for the first time that day, noted, "It wasn't as difficult as I thought, and I think I will use it well at the next game."
Naver Pay and the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Tour (KLPGT) signed a business agreement in March for the establishment of a ticket sales service and integrated payment system for the KLPGA regular tour. This tournament is the first to offer bookings and easy entry based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), along with information and exclusive attractions for spectators through the Naver Pay app.
Typically, spectators enter the game by registering as members on the website of the corporation hosting the event, making a payment, and receiving tickets via KakaoTalk or text message. However, this year, the KLPGA regular tour has changed entry procedures by utilizing Naver Pay's non-custodial digital asset wallet, 'Npay Wallet.'
Reservations are made through the Naver Reservation page, eliminating the need for separate registration or carrying text tickets. Instead, upon arrival at the venue, spectators can open the Npay Wallet at the dedicated Naver entrance, where staff will verify the ticket QR code before allowing immediate entry. There was also no need to carry a summary map of the stadium before entering. The Npay Wallet is linked to the official KLPGA app, allowing users to check the map through the app and input the name of their desired player to find their real-time location.
Access to the VIP lounge was exceptional. Just like the general round, entry can be expedited by purchasing a ticket and using the artificial intelligence (AI)-based facial authentication service 'FaceSign.' This is the first external application of FaceSign since Naver Pay started operating it at the Kyunghee University Seoul campus's restaurants and cafes last year. The facial recognition capability was impressively quick and efficient. The moment I approached the device for FaceSign, the authentication was completed, and my name along with the entry time appeared on the screen.
The entry ticket through Naver Pay is an NFT. It is not just a paper or text ticket that is discarded after one use; it becomes a unique NFT saved automatically in the Npay Wallet for each round from the first to the final round, serving as a special keepsake that can be cherished even after the game. The Npay Wallet was implemented on the Chiliz chain, and NFTs are issued through the Chiliz network.
Moreover, Naver Pay explained that it can accurately tally the number of spectators that had not been properly counted before. Previously, physical and text tickets for golf games often led to discrepancies as many holders did not show up, making it difficult to know how many visitors came each day. However, with the introduction of QR entry in golf games, accurate crowd counts are now possible, just like at concerts or baseball stadiums.
Following the signing of the agreement with KLPGT, Naver Pay also prepared various NFT-based experiences. At booths, spectators can draw random balls, and by tagging their mobile phones, they receive player photo card art as NFTs. Additionally, each photo card randomly includes Npay points that can be used like cash, up to a maximum of 2,000 won.
On this day, the card received by the reporter was a photo card of player Jeong Yoon-ji along with 1,000 points. Due to the nature of NFTs, once issued to an individual, they belong to that individual, so they cannot be exchanged or sold for another player's NFT. Naver Pay stated, "NFTs are souvenirs in themselves, but we are also considering practical uses," adding, "We are exploring various promotional methods using NFTs, such as offering discount promotions for previous game galleries when booking for the next game."
Additionally, QR code banners for the Npay Wallet were hidden throughout the golf course during the game. This was a simple treasure hunt designed for spectators who had to walk around the golf course all day. If they collected all five NFT art pieces while watching players and walking the course, they could exchange them for prizes at the Npay Wallet booth.
Starting with the '2025 NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship,' Npay Wallet plans to expand services into various sectors including entertainment and sports. Discussions are underway to introduce ticket services utilizing Npay Wallet not only in KLPGA but also with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and the professional soccer K League.
Kang Kyu-beom, leader of Naver Pay who is responsible for the Npay Wallet service, said, "In the future, all galleries watching KLPGA tournaments will be able to enter and enjoy the games more conveniently with Npay Wallet, and we plan to expand the service in cooperation with KLPGT," adding, "We will also seek to expand the services to other sports such as baseball and soccer."