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Weverse

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Weverse
Developer(s)Weverse Company,[a] Hybe Corporation
Initial releaseJune 10, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-06-10)
PlatformAndroid, iOS
Available in
  • English
  • Korean
  • Japanese
  • Hindi
  • Russian
Type
LicenceProprietary software
Website

Weverse (Korean: 위버스; RR: wibeoseu) is a South Korean mobile app and web platform created by South Korean entertainment company Hybe Corporation. The app specializes in hosting multimedia content, the sale of artist-related merchandise, content subscription, and artist-to-fan communications for artists.

Weverse hosts a variety of free and paid content including educational and entertainment videos, Instagram Story-style updates, and artist-to-fan interactions and communities for users to connect with each other. The app is also used to publish official statements by Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) on behalf of artists signed with its labels.[1]

The software was developed by Hybe's technology subsidiary Weverse Company (formerly beNX). As of 2023, Weverse has over 10 million monthly users.[2]

Development

[edit]

The app was developed by Weverse Company (formerly beNX),[3][4][5] a subsidiary technology company of Hybe Corporation (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) specializing in digital platforms and customer service.[6][7] According to Weverse Company then president, Seo Wooseok, the app was developed to offer a platform for K-pop artists to interact with fans "on a deeper level" than that offered by YouTube or Twitter, which emphasize content delivery over communication.[3] Hybe then co-CEO Lenzo Yoon characterized the app as a "one-stop service within the music industry."[6][8]

According to Jenny Zha, CEO of the digital media consultancy firm Infinitize, K-pop "market leaders like BTS", who have amassed significant fan followings, no longer need to focus on being discovered but rather on monetization and ownership of their content. Zha, in an interview with Billboard, explained that "labels want to [...] create an asset they can own and mobilize for other artists and ventures because they know that fans will follow to where the content is. It creates more security for the label for the long term."[3]

Hybe launched the e-commerce platform Weply in June 2019. It later became the app Weverse Shop.[8]

News of the app's development was first announced in October 2019 through an advertisement shown at the beginning of BTS's three-day Love Yourself: Speak Yourself stadium tour in Seoul, South Korea. The advertisement played simultaneously to 130,000 in-person concertgoers, as well as viewers watching via live-stream and in movie theaters.[6][3]

On January 27, 2021, Naver Corporation announced the transfer of their V-Live service to Weverse Company and its integration with the Weverse platform.[9] On January 1, 2023, V-Live service was officially terminated.[10]

Platforms and content

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Weverse is currently available as a website and as an e-commerce, entertainment, and communication-focused app of the same name.[3][11][12] The app is available for free for Android on the Google Play Store, iOS on the Apple App Store and Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV and Apple TV on its respective app stores.[13] The web and app platforms host a variety of free and subscription content including videos, Instagram Story-style updates, and artist-to-fan interactions and communities for users to connect with each other.[7][14] Communities of acts or artists who are no longer active or have disbanded (e.g. GFriend,[15] NU'EST[16]), whether due to contract expiration or other factors, remain open on Weverse and existing content can still be viewed, but features such as creating new posts and editing profiles are disabled.[17]

Subscriptions for individual series hosted on Weverse, as well as fan memberships and merchandise for the various artists that utilize the platform were originally available for purchase via the Weverse Shop app and website.[3][6] Following the integration of all shop features and services with the Weverse app—a dedicated Shop icon was added to the home screen—on May 7, 2024, the Weverse Shop app was discontinued.[12][18]

Artists

[edit]

Tomorrow X Together was the first artist to join the earliest version of Weverse, on June 11, 2019.[3] Labelmate BTS followed afterwards on July 1,[19] as well as GFriend on August 1.[20] Since then various artists signed to companies under Hybe's multi-label system (e.g. Seventeen,[11][7] Boynextdoor, Le Sserafim),[21] including acts formed as part of joint venture projects (e.g. Enhypen),[22] have also joined.

Artists from YG Entertainment, including Blackpink,[23] Winner,[24] and Treasure,[25] began joining the platform in 2021 following Big Hit's investment in YG Plus.[26] International artists under Universal Music Group (e.g. Gracie Abrams, New Hope Club,[27] Alexander 23,[28] Jeremy Zucker)[29] also utilize the platform per a formal partnership with Hybe established that same year.[30]

Artists from SM Entertainment joined the platform on September 12, 2023, transferring from the label's own platform Kwangya Club, as a part of an agreement between SM, Hybe, and Kakao Entertainment in early 2023 after the dispute on the right on management over SM Entertainment.[31][32]

Japanese artists on the platform include XG,[33] Yurina Hirate,[34] AKB48,[35] and Yoasobi.[36]

Concerts

[edit]

Weverse Concerts

[edit]
List of concerts and live performances organized/produced solely by or in conjunction with Weverse
Date Title Venue Organizer(s) Attendance Lineup Ref.
December 31, 2020 2021 New Year's Eve Live Presented by Weverse Weverse (online) Hybe Labels, Weverse —
[37]
December 31, 2021 2022 Weverse Con: New Era KINTEX Hall 4 (offline)
Weverse, Venewlive (online) 		—
[38]
October 15, 2022 BTS Yet to Come in Busan Busan Asiad Main Stadium (offline)
Weverse (online) 		Hybe, Big Hit Music, Weverse 50,000 (offline)
49.07 million (online)
  • BTS
 [39]
June 10–11, 2023 2023 Weverse Con Festival KSPO Dome (offline)
Weverse (online) 		Hybe, Weverse —
[40]
June 15–16, 2024 2024 Weverse Con Festival Inspire Entertainment Resort (offline)
Weverse (online) 		22,000 (offline)
18,000 (online)
[41]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ formerly beNX

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Delgado, Sara (February 28, 2020). "BTS and ARMY Donate to Coronavirus Relief After Big Hit Cancels Seoul Concerts". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  2. ^ "WEVERSE COMPANY | About the Company". en.weverse.co. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Benjamin, Jeff (March 16, 2020). "K-Pop Content Creators Are Leaving YouTube for Startups". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Choi, Ji-won (January 31, 2021). "Big Hit partnership with Naver, YG Plus a win-win for entertainment industry". The Korean Herald. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "Big Hit Entertainment: Who We Are section". Big Hit Corporation. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Mehta, Stephanie (March 10, 2020). "Millions of BTS fans use these 2 apps to connect and shop. No tech startups needed". Fast Company. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Benjamin, Jeff (March 22, 2020). "'Learn Korean With BTS' Aims To Break Down Language Barrier & Further Connect Global Fans". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "The 10 most innovative music companies of 2020". Fast Company. March 10, 2020. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  9. ^ Jeon, A-ram (January 27, 2021). 빅히트·네이버 협업, 팬 커뮤니티 플랫폼 강화 [공식입장]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  10. ^ "Notice". www.vlive.tv. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Herman, Tamar (February 5, 2020). "BTS Label Big Hit Entertainment Announces Profit, Plans & New Acts". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Weverse + Weverse Shop App Integration (May 7, 2024)". weverse.io. April 1, 2024. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  13. ^ "[Notice] Weverse Fire TV App Now Available". weverse.io. October 20, 2023. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Devoe, Noelle (July 1, 2019). "What Is Weverse? BTS & TXT's New Official Fan Community App Is A Game-Changer". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (July 29, 2019). 빅히트 측 "쏘스뮤직 인수 계약→자회사 편입, 독립성 유지"(공식) [Big Hit's "Source Music Acquisition Agreement → Incorporation into a subsidiary, maintaining independence" (Official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Hwang, Ji-young (September 8, 2020). '빅히트 레이블' 뉴이스트, 위버스 커뮤니티 오픈 ['Big Hit Label' NU'EST Opens Weverse Community]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Weverse GFRIEND Community Modification Announcement". weverse.io. July 1, 2021. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "How to use Weverse Shop on Weverse (April 16, 2024)". weverse.io. April 16, 2024. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  19. ^ "BTS community opens on Weverse". JoongAng Ilbo. July 2019. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  20. ^ "비엔엑스, 걸그룹 '여자친구' 공식 팬 커뮤니티 위버스 오픈". 글로벌이코노믹 (in Korean). July 31, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "[브레이크뉴스] 사쿠라·김채원 '하이브 최초 걸그룹' 르세라핌, 위버스 커뮤니티 오픈 '관심↑'". Break News (in Korean). March 28, 2022. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  22. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 4, 2020). "Meet ENHYPEN: Belift Lab's New K-Pop Boy Band Shares Goals & What You Didn't See On TV". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Kim Soo-jin (July 14, 2021). "블랙핑크, 오는 8월 2일 위버스 합류 [공식]" [Blackpink to join Weverse on August 2nd [Official]]. Naver (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  24. ^ Park, Jeong-sun. "완전체 활동 앞둔 위너, 위버스 합류…팬 소통 강화". n.news.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  25. ^ Ji, Min-kyung. "YG 대형 신인 트레저, 위버스 합류..글로벌 인기 이어간다 [공식]". OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Frater, Patrick (January 27, 2021). "BTS Agency Big Hit Entertainment to Invest $63 Million in Rival YG". Variety. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  27. ^ Hwang, Ji-young (February 1, 2021). 뉴 호프 클럽, 1일 위버스 커뮤니티 오픈…해외 아티스트로는 2번째 [New Hope Club opens Weverse Community on the 1st… 2nd overseas artist]. Ilsan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  28. ^ Hwang, Ji-young (February 15, 2021). 미국 가수 알렉산더 23, 위버스로 팬과 소통 [American singer Alexander 23 communicates with fans through Weverse]. Ilsan Sports. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  29. ^ Choi, Hee-jae (April 19, 2021). 美 팝스타 제레미 주커, 위버스 합류…글로벌 영향력 확대 [공식입장] [US pop star Jeremy Zucker joins Weverse...Expanding Global Influence [Official]]. X Sports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021 – via Naver.
  30. ^ Perez, Lexy; Sun, Rebecca (February 17, 2021). "Universal Music Group and Big Hit Records Partnering to Debut New Boy Group". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  31. ^ Oh Seo-rin (August 29, 2023). "엑소→에스파, SM 소속 아티스트들 9월부터 위버스 합류" [EXO → Aespa, artists from SM join Weverse from September]. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Peoples, Glenn (September 5, 2023). "NCT 127, Aespa & More SM Entertainment Artists Are Joining HYBE's Weverse". Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  33. ^ XG、コミュニティープラットフォーム『Weverse』に参加 デビューシングルの数量限定CD＆アナログレコードも予約販売開始 [XG joins community platform "Weverse", limited quantity of their debut single CD & analog vinyl will also be available for pre-order]. Real Sound (in Japanese). March 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  34. ^ Yim, Seung-hye (December 21, 2022). "HYBE launches new Japanese label called Naeco". JoongAng Ilbo. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  35. ^ Cho, Yong-jun (April 25, 2023). "Japanese girl group AKB48 to join HYBE's Weverse DM". JoongAng Ilbo. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  36. ^ "YOASOBI、6月11日にWeverseの公式コミュニティがオープン！ファンとの親密な交流を予告". Kstyle (in Japanese). April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  37. ^ Mamo, Heran (December 30, 2020). "How to Watch BTS, Halsey, Lauv & More on Big Hit Labels' 2021 New Year's Eve Live". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  38. ^ 2022 Weverse Con:
  39. ^ Ji, Min-Kyung (October 16, 2022). "방탄소년단, 부산을 대통합의 장으로..전세계 229개 국가+지역서 함께". Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  40. ^ Choi, Ji-won. "K-pop fans connect at 2023 Weverse Con Festival". Korea Herald. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  41. ^
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