Face, Space... the Korea Race!

Last week, a new version of MySpace was launched in South Korea. After making various changes and additions to the original form, MySpace execs are now biting their nails to see whether their new product is going to sink or swim.


Korean version

It matters little that despite the growing shadow of Facebook, MySpace is still America's most popular social-networking site. South Korea is in its own technological world. It has its own programs, including the ever-present Cyworld as well as the many Naver and Daum blogs available.










South Korea may be a small East Asian nation, but even Google has failed to make inroads there.



In fact, AP says it is one of the few countries where google is not the dominant search engine. Though South Korea has opened itself up to anything and everything foreign in the past ten years, it is still a country that likes to keep to itself. And this is especially true with regard to social networking and other internet sites.
To attract Korea's blogging community, it has added such functions as the "minilog," allowing users to jot down thoughts, sort of like a blog or diary. They will also cater to what I call Korea's "passion for the pretty" and offer skins in different designs.
But there are still obstacles to be overcome. First of course is the aforementioned intense competition. Next is the language barrier. Though English is increasingly becoming mainstream in Korea, the lack of a translation option might prove to be a turn-off for those who choose to keep their English use inside the classroom or tutoring sessions.
MySpace has also launched its Indian service this week.


Indian version

So we will all wait to see whether or not the ambitions of the MySpace creators will pay off.