Kakao is preparing an integrated membership programme centred on KakaoTalk that links affiliate services and user benefits. It is seen as an effort to connect KakaoTalk users to multiple Kakao services and expand touchpoints between platforms within the group.

Industry sources said on Tuesday that Kakao is reviewing a membership that spans key services including shopping and commerce, mobility, content and entertainment, and finance and payments. One option under discussion is for major affiliates to participate under the new KakaoAI entity.

The plan under review is to link services from major affiliates such as Kakao Mobility, Kakao Entertainment, Kakao Pay, KakaoBank and Kakao Style. The idea is to bundle everyday services used by customers, such as KakaoTalk and Melon and Kakao Webtoon, Kakao T and Kakao Pay, into a single membership.

Specific benefits and fees have not yet been decided. Possible benefits being discussed include subscription perks for Melon or Kakao Webtoon, Kakao T discounts and expanded point accrual when paying with Kakao Pay. The membership price is expected to be set based on the services provided and the mix of benefits.

Kakao is also said to be reviewing a plan to link not only its affiliates but also services from external businesses to the membership. The aim is to broaden the scope of collaboration with external platforms based on KakaoTalk's user base and expand the services users can choose.

Kakao is preparing a service with Coupang Eats that will allow users to order and pay for food within a KakaoTalk chat window. The possibility has been raised that such cooperation linking external services into KakaoTalk could also be applied to the membership.

A Kakao official said, "We are preparing a membership that links Kakao's various services and benefits," adding, "The launch timing and specific details have not yet been decided."