Kakao announced on the 11th that it has released emoticons and goods in collaboration with senior artists.
Kakao has launched new emoticons featuring a total of four senior artists: 90-year-old drawing artist Yoo Jae-soon, the first-generation romance comic artist Min Aeni, 70-year-old colored pencil watercolor artist Kim Sung-il, and the expressionist artist Geum Dong-won, who captures warm colors. Users can find the new emoticons by entering the artist's name in the Kakao emoticon shop.
Kakao will hold a planned exhibition titled 'A New Challenge for Senior Artists' at Kakao Makers until the 19th. It will showcase a total of eight products designed using the artworks of senior artists, including phone cases, key rings, blankets, handkerchiefs, and multi-purpose cleaners. The revenue from the sold goods will be entirely donated, and users can express their support for the artists by clicking 'like' within the exhibition.
Kakao emoticons were first introduced on KakaoTalk in November 2011. In particular, the emoticon ecosystem created by Kakao has given rise to the new profession of 'emoticon artist' and has provided many people with the opportunity to challenge their creativity.
This collaboration was established to enhance the perception that Kakao emoticons are a platform enjoyed by all ages and a digital culture that everyone can enjoy. In the future, Kakao aims to continuously expand the joy of using emoticons for users and opportunities for ecosystem expansion for creators.
Kim Ji-hyun, the Kakao emoticon leader, said, 'We have collaborated with senior artists to support more creative activities in the emoticon creation ecosystem' and added, 'We will continue to make various efforts so that both creators and users can have a rich experience with emoticons.'