Social-networking, Korean-style

Could this be the future of US social-networking? I'm referring to South Korea-based Cyworld, as described in Business Week. At 15 million users (nearly a third of South Korea's population), it's proportionately even bigger than MySpace. Business Week says 90% of Koreans in their late teens and early 20s are hooked on Cyworld. So what is it? It's basically a social-networking site where people create their own home pages that are like rooms and "can accommodate an unlimited numbers of photos, documents, and other goodies." What makes it even more addictive, BW says, is little "extra twists" like the way users can decorate their "rooms" with digital furniture and art, and enhance the visitor's experience with music and videos (a virtual couch costs about $.60 in real money – Cyworld makes money selling these virtual goods). Everyone has his/her own avatar. "Since avatars stop by, the idea is to make your space as cool as possible." Users can access Cyworld by mobile phone as well, which is something MySpace is working on (see "Phone as fashion statement?", in my 2/24 issue). "One feature that has helped Cyworld take off is 'wave riding.' It works like this: When you're reading posts on bulletin boards or looking at photo files, you can click on the name of someone who has added a remark or photo you find interesting and you'll be transported to that person's digital room. If you like the art or music, you can introduce yourself and put in a request to become a 'cybuddy.' If accepted, you can use your buddy's goodies - from art to photos - on your own page." People with similar tastes turn into virtual and real-world clubs and communities. [BTW, MySpace, at about 64 million members now, only needs about 35 million more to reach Cyworld's one-third-of-its-country-level of membership.]