Comments on: Korean social-networking site hopes to nab U.S. fans

Hugely popular in its home country of South Korea, Cyworld is determined to bring its success to the United States.

[Dead Soulman]

It seems interesting

Cyworld seems interesting. But, it's a bit cartoony, which I can see why it has worked well in Asia. Having lived in Japan for a few years, I noticed their high use of cartoon-like pictures and characters in lots of their advertisements.
Cyworld follows this format too.

Would it work in the U.S.? Hard to say. It does offer a number of features not found on mySpace or Friendster. So, if people can pass the cartoony feeling, then Cyworld may do well in the U.S.

[roawoo]

Well

I dont noe about it being Cartoonish.
Those characters in the video are called Avatars
They are just...there for some reasons;;just to make Cyworld interesting proving that Cyworld is a Cyber-World
They are not very important, so I am curious why they come on video so many times

[andhrizz]

A Natural Extension

In my view asian social networking sites could beat any american social networking sites in the long run. It is not the technology it the way asians behave in their societies. Once the technology is given Asians spend more time communication with their kith and kin than any other people in the west. Please note that I am not culturally biased. It is my personal observation for several years.

[koralex90]

Not as Cartoonish.

I read another article about cyworld entering the US and they stated that they are trying to remove all the cutesy stuff they can to suit the american market better. I just hope they do a good job. :p

[koralex90]

Not as Cartoonish.

I read another article about cyworld entering the US and they stated that they are trying to remove all the cutesy stuff they can to suit the american market better. I just hope they do a good job. :p

[krustykanuck]

Depends on how well they adapt to North American culture

There is a difference in the way cultures interact in either Korea or North America and I am sure that will translate in the social networks such as MySpace and CyWorld. Many of the web pages I see young adults interacting with in the MANY cybercafes of South Korea are cartoonish and cutsie. You see Koreans wholed up in little cubicles that have computers with web access and cameras attached as young men and women switch cameras on each other and pass messages along (if they are not busy playing Warcraft, Starcraft or some variant). In the Americas young adults and teens would most frequent their MySpace at home or at school. Korean society seems a little segregated between men and women too. Having been to their factories several times I notice in their work environment males would go to work in one building and females in another. Whereas Men and Women in North America tend to work in the same fields and positions along side each other - and often socialize after work or school at house parties or other activities. In other words the social needs between Koreans and North Americans may be somewhat different.

[roawoo]

As an user, it is so useful

I am Korean and I find Cyworld so useful
I was able to find my long lost friend by just searching his name on Cyworld and using process of elminations by age and gender. It is true that 30% of population uses Cyworld even some Korean celebrities. I do not know if it is similar to MySpace but I am just happy that I was able to find many friends of mine dating back to Elementary and Middle School.

[kemi6]

hi,
i just registered on cyworld USA because i thought i could find my old korean friends too...
but i can't find their profiles...
as i don't read korean i thought that registering with us.cyworld would allow me to see their profils...
i'm so disappointed...
does anyone of you have a solution for this problem or so?
thanks a lot! ;)

[roawoo]

As an user, it is so useful

I am Korean and I find Cyworld so useful
I was able to find my long lost friend by just searching his name on Cyworld and using process of elminations by age and gender. It is true that 30% of population uses Cyworld even some Korean celebrities. I do not know if it is similar to MySpace but I am just happy that I was able to find many friends of mine dating back to Elementary and Middle School.

[dfichtner]

Why do they block you from adding Koreans?

Why do they block the two Cyworlds from adding each other as friends, although they are able to track you if you try to open an ID in both Korea and the USA? If I am wrong about what I've heard here, please correct me. I live in South Korea, and enjoy Cyworld. Yes, it's huge here, but I also experience the racism and xenophobia Korea has against non-Koreans. For example, sometimes I walk down the street with my Korean girlfriend, and people swear at me or her in Korean. Foreigners here are discussing why Korea will not allow the two Cyworlds to interact with each other, and wonder if racism and xenophobia have something to do with it. Again, correct me if something is incorrect here.

[PleaseSaveDave]

Please Save Dave

Cyworld has a very compotent business model.

My latest idea.
http://www.pleasesavedave.com

[asiankid2007]

Ahdeee New Asian Network

There is also a new korean social networking website coming to america name Ahdeee

http://www.ahdeee.com/