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tion better than words.
“Emoticons can deliver deli-
cate feelings that words cannot. Plus,
they are very cute,” Kim adds.
Emoticon, or emotion icon,
refers to simple artworks used in on-
line communication. KakaoTalk, an
application used by 46 million Kore-
ans, launched its first official emoticon
‘Kakao Friends’ in November 2012.
According to Adobe’s ‘Report
on Global Emoticon Trend’ published
in July 2021, emoticon usage was 10
per cent higher in South Korea than
the worldwide average. About 76 per
cent of Koreans use emoticons instead
or words in online communication. Cute and simple Ogu emoticons are very popular among young
Moon Jong-beum is the cre- people. (Photo Courtesy of Moon Jong-beum)
ator of the emoticon series ‘Platypus “Ogu was originally designed “I feel so happy because many
Ogu’. He studied pottery and started for a lamp. I thought the platypus tail people love Ogu. And I am happy
designing emoticons since 2017. resembles a lightbulb,” says Moon. too, as there is no cost such as rental
“I started designing emoti- “I turned it into an emoticon, as I spending and material cost when I
cons after reading an article about thought it was cute too,” he says. design emoticons,” says Moon. “All I
emoticon designers making a fortune. need is a tablet PC. The income also
I thought it was worth a try since I makes me feel happy,” he chucles.
studied art in college,” the 31-year-old Moon shares that the hardest
designer says. part of creating emoticons is giving
Ogu is Moon’s most popular them ‘emotions’. “Anger, for example,
emoticon character and one of the can be expressed in so many different
most successful emoticon characters ways. I have to find the right expres-
in KakaoTalk, with at least 30,000 se- sion for each emoticon,” he says.
ries sold monthly. Each series is sold “I want to show something
at 2,500 won (US $2.5). The series is new when I create a new series,” says
very popular among young Koreans Moon. “I have created more than 20
for its cute and simple design. Ogu series now. I do not want to re-
“ use expression that have been used

Emoticons can de- before,” he adds.
Moon recommends his job
liver delicate feel- to people who are patient and enjoy

ings that words can- drawing. “You have to draw the same
picture over and over again, so pa-
not. tience is crucial,” he says. “I draw at
least 100 sketches for one series.”
Before an emoticon is avail-
Each emoticon series has its own able for sale in KakaoTalk Emoticon
” theme, size and even sound in it. Shop, it has to go through rounds