Kakao released a set of emoticons featuring celebrity baby Choo Sarang, with all proceeds going to benefit children from multicultural families. Choo, one of the biggest child TV stars in Korea, is herself a member of such a family, as her father, global MMA superstar Choo Sunghoon is a native Korean and her mother is Japanese.
All proceeds from the emoticons, along with matching funds from Kakao, will be donated to We Friends, an organization run by the Migrant Health Association in Korea. The donation will be used to support the 12th Annual We Friends Rainbow Festival as well as emotional support programs for children from multicultural families. Sunghoon will be volunteering at the event along with Kakao Krew (employees).
The Rainbow Festival is one of the largest events for multicultural families in Korea, and it is part of the We Friends’ efforts to promote diversity and establish a strong support system for immigrants.The eventpromotes harmony between Korean and non-Korean cultures,with the goal of broadening understanding of different nationalities and reducing prejudices that stem from cultural misconceptions.
Sirgoo Lee, the Co-CEO of Kakao, said, “We expect to raise awareness of multicultural families in Korean society through this event. We will try to provide various ways to encourage open communication and participation through our platform.”
The Choo Sarang emoticons will be a first instance of users engaging in a charitable activity through one of Kakao’s platforms. Kakao hopes to develop more mobile-based CSR programs for various communities in need.
Kakao formed a CSR Team last May with the objective of organizing charitable activities involving users, partners and Kakao employees. Kakao’s past CSR activities include the first mobile game competition for people with disabilities and a relay campaign with Seoul Metropolitan Government promoting healthy minds.
ChooSarang emoticons from KakaoTalk’s Item Store - sold in early 2014
All proceeds from the emoticons, along with matching funds from Kakao, will be donated to We Friends, an organization run by the Migrant Health Association in Korea. The donation will be used to support the 12th Annual We Friends Rainbow Festival as well as emotional support programs for children from multicultural families. Sunghoon will be volunteering at the event along with Kakao Krew (employees).
Photos from the 2014 We Friends Rainbow Festival
The Rainbow Festival is one of the largest events for multicultural families in Korea, and it is part of the We Friends’ efforts to promote diversity and establish a strong support system for immigrants.The eventpromotes harmony between Korean and non-Korean cultures,with the goal of broadening understanding of different nationalities and reducing prejudices that stem from cultural misconceptions.
Sirgoo Lee, the Co-CEO of Kakao, said, “We expect to raise awareness of multicultural families in Korean society through this event. We will try to provide various ways to encourage open communication and participation through our platform.”
The Choo Sarang emoticons will be a first instance of users engaging in a charitable activity through one of Kakao’s platforms. Kakao hopes to develop more mobile-based CSR programs for various communities in need.
Kakao formed a CSR Team last May with the objective of organizing charitable activities involving users, partners and Kakao employees. Kakao’s past CSR activities include the first mobile game competition for people with disabilities and a relay campaign with Seoul Metropolitan Government promoting healthy minds.