From Korea to the world, KakaoTalk is now a major messenger app in the international market. Currently, KakaoTalk has more than 158 million registered members from 196 countries.

In his speech about the evolving digital era the social media networks, US President Barack Obama mentioned KakaoTalk. In 2011, CNET chose KakaoTalk as the Number 1 Free SMS App. It also won the Red Gerring Asia Top 100 Award in 2012 and is nominated as a finalist for the Global Mobile Awards in 2014 for the Most Innovative App Category. The World Economic Forum has named KakaoTalk as a Technology Pioneer.

The KakaoTalk App is available in iOS, Android, and Windows OS. And it is offered in 15 different languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Turkish, German, French, Portuguese, Italian, Vietnamese, Russian, and Arabic.

KakaoTalk, however, is not just a messaging app. It is also a social platform that has digital content, a platform for marketing and commerce, and games.

KakaoTalk entered the Philippine market in 2013 and the Filipinos has given it an overwhelming welcome. It is currently the top free messaging app in both the Google Play Store and in the iOS App Store. Locally, it has partnered with ABS-CBN Mobile so ABS-CBN Mobile subcribers can use all KakaoTalk features for free including calls, text messaging, and group chats.

KakaoTalk is similarly popular in other countries. In Indonesia, for example, KakaoTalk has over 15 million users and has formed a partnership with major brands such as Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and McDonald’s. In the US, KakaoTalk has tapped small and mid-sized developers to create games for KakaoTalk. KakaoTalk users in the US can also make in-app purchases using Chocos, KakaoTalk’s virtual coins.

In Korea, where KakaoTalk started, the app has a mobile commerce feature. The KakaoTalk Gift Store has partnered with third-party suppliers so Korean users can send gifts to their KakaoTalk friends in real time. The Gift Store sells food and beverages, cosmetics and scents, clothes, digital content, and even small electronics. KakaoTalk in Korea also offers seasonal gifts and special offers. You can actually send a birthday cake to your friend through the Gift Store. Through KakaoStyle in Korea, KakaoTalk users can access latest styles, trends, and fashion and they can easily share it with their Kakao friends, as well.

KakaoTalk is a versatile app that takes messaging and online social networking to new levels of awesome. Connect better with your friends and the world via KakaoTalk.

Download the KakaoTalk app at the following links:

• iOS App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id362057947
• Android app at the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kakao.talk&hl=en
• Ovi Store at http://store.ovi.com/content/488373
• Blackberry App at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/76029/?lang=en
• Windows Phone at http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appId=6bb928fe-f012-468f-8f8e-9c42098ee783
• Windows OS for PC at http://app.pc.kakao.com/talk/win32/KakaoTalk_Setup.exe
• iOS for Mac at https://itunes.apple.com/app/kakaotalk-messenger/id869223134?ls=1&mt=12

For more information, check the KakaoTalk site at http://www.kakao.com/talk. You can also check their page at https://www.facebook.com/kakaotalk.