SOOP ESG2024

Quarterly revenue

Growth of the Virtual Streamer Category

SOOP is actively expanding its virtual streaming ecosystem by onboarding a growing number of virtual content streamers. These creators broadcast using virtual avatars that mirror their facial expressions and movements in real time, ushering in a new wave in one-person media platforms. Recognizing the unique appeal and technology-driven nature of their content, we see strong potential for virtual streamers to further enrich the diversity and creativity of our platform. To support this, we are implementing a range of initiatives to enhance their creative experience.

First, SOOP is actively supporting the creation of high-quality virtual content, including music videos, fan meetings, showcases and gaming competitions, with an optical motion capture studio and VR mapping support. In the first half of 2025, we introduced Mobile Virtual Mode, which allows streamers to easily broadcast virtual avatars directly from their mobile devices without the need for additional equipment. This quick and simple broadcasting setup empowers creators to produce character-based content anytime and anywhere, removing traditional time and space limitations. We are also actively enhancing content quality for streamers through Virtual Makeover Season 1, a program that supports 3D avatars. In addition to offering cosmetic customization, such as hairstyles, outfits and accessories, the program introduces advanced technical features, such as shaders to add color and texture to avatars, as well as compatibility with various virtual content creation programs.

SOOP continues to expand its community-driven content offerings, particularly those based on VRChat. One notable example is the WAKTAVERSE Baseball Tournament (WBD), a large-scale virtual sports event where numerous virtual streamers participate as players and managers. SOOP helped energize the virtual content ecosystem by sponsoring the prize money for the tournament. The event was a big hit, with the final game drawing more than 40,000 viewers.

Looking ahead, we will continue to expand various technical and institutional support for virtual streamers to further enhance their creative capabilities and strive to create an inclusive and sustainable virtual ecosystem where anyone can easily express their individuality and creativity.

Virtual Content

Metaverse Platform “Freeblox”

Through Freeblox, SOOP’s metaverse-based content platform, we are creating an immersive digital ecosystem where users can freely communicate through avatars and engage in diverse experiences, ranging from broadcasting and chatting to gaming and economic activities. Freeblox consists of Play, a space for themed cafes, performances and exhibitions; Market, where users can customize avatars and operate virtual shops; and Studio, a creative environment where users can create and sell items. Additional features include integrated live streaming, a secondary creation use-map function and a monetization system linked to SOOP’s donation-based economy, all of which promote creativity and user interaction. With Freeblox, SOOP is building a sustainable content environment with the goal of diversifying content, nurturing the growth of the digital creator ecosystem and developing a participatory virtual platform.

Looking ahead, SOOP aims to further enhance the fandom-based community features of Freeblox with the introduction of Fandom Worlds, a dedicated space where virtual streamers can casually interact with fans, create content and engage in interactive activities centered around their fandom communities. Fandom Worlds will feature a reward system, a merchandise market function and a high-performance server environment for fan meetings and virtual concerts. These features are designed to foster a sustainable creative ecosystem based on a core fandom base. The rollout of these features began in 2024 and will continue progressively, serving as a key driver in strengthening the competitiveness of the Freeblox platform.

Freeblox Content

Optimizing Mobile Experiences

As a streaming platform, SOOP has been making strides in technological advancements focused on a more accessible and seamless mobile experience. In 2024, we made a qualitative leap in the mobile viewing experience, including UI/UX improvements, with a focus on feature updates for better user experience. Key developments included the application of resource optimization technology to reduce battery consumption, as well as the introduction of Radio Mode (SLEEP button), which supports voice-only viewing and helps lower data usage. We are also working on the mobile version of Clear Mode, which will reduce data consumption while maintaining high-definition streaming quality and screen clarity.

We have also made significant upgrades to the chat functionality to improve the mobile viewing experience. Users can now flexibly adjust the width of the chat window to better fit their screen size and the nature of the content and enable real-time chat pop-ups to stay engaged with the conversation flow. We have also enhanced features for streamers and introduced specialized tools for lifestyle content. Which include a feature allows streamers to share real-time information on their distance to a destination when broadcasting on the go, and an AR-based fishing measurement function. SOOP plans to continue improving related technologies to deliver a more immersive experience for both users and streamers interacting across various streaming environments.

Updates to VOD and Short-Form Content Services

SOOP is continuously enhancing its VOD and short-form services for better viewing experience. Since start of its customized VOD service in 2019, SOOP has added various features such as user-generated clips and replays, and launched our own short-form service “Catch” in 2022.

In particular, “Catch Story”, which was introduced at the end of 2023, leverages machine learning-based AI technology to automatically select key scenes from a streamer's live broadcast and reorganize them into a story to make replays more convenient and engaging. SOOP has filed a patent for Catch Story in the first half of 2024, laying the foundation to strengthen its competitive edge in both technology and content originality.

In 2024, we accelerated the shift in content consumption paradigms by restructuring the platform UI/UX around short-form content. We integrated full-length video functionality to provide contextual depth to short-form clips and launched user participation–based promotional programs such as challenges and themed quests. Looking ahead, we plan to continue broadening our strategic approach to increase both content engagement and voluntary participation.

Colorful Broadcasts

SOOP is committed to enabling universal access to sports through its coverage of a wide range of events, from traditional sports to eSports. Most notably, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, SOOP was the only Korean platform to offer all 32 sport events for free, making sports more accessible. Hundreds of thousands of users tuned in live for the gold medal games and the streamers with live interactive commentary helped foster the cheering culture.

In the eSports arena, SOOP secured broadcasting rights for major events including the Saudi Esports World Cup (EWC) and the Hangzhou Asian Games and provided live coverage of Key matches of League of Legends and Tekken 8, including championship-winning moments. The EWC finals, in particular, attracted an impressive peak of 400,000 concurrent viewers, despite being held in the early morning hours.

SOOP also produces content in various formats such as viewing parties, one-sided commentaries and streamer-hosted coverage, strengthening interactive communication with viewers. Also, through amateur sports such as national championships and youth soccer tournaments, we strive to broaden the foundation of sports content. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance the accessibility of various content including sports and eSports that users can enjoy together.

eSports broadcasting

SOOP is strengthening the content competitiveness of its platform by showcasing original live and VOD content, produced and edited in-house, in a variety of categories, across gaming, entertainment, music, sports and subcultures.

In 2024, we launched a vertical content strategy aimed at enthusiast audiences, which has resulted in a notable increase in fandom-driven content and user engagement time. One key example is SOOP's original content brand “Cinety”, which curates and provides highlights from live broadcasts. Cinety recorded a 120% year-on-year increase in page views. More importantly, Cinety continues to attract fandom audiences by focusing on subculture-oriented content such as V Summit, Virtual Sting Operation Team and Underground Idol Project. To date, it has curated more than 50 signature titles, reinforcing its reputation as a go-to destination for must-see content.

In the sports category, we are expanding our reach through free broadcasts of multi-sports events, such as the Olympics, martial arts, soccer, billiards and go, as well as hosting original competitions. Key programs include X2: SOOP DANCE BATTLE, Go-Playing Streamers, Road FC Collaborative Fighting Content and exclusive coverage of King's World Cup 2025. Notably, the addition of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), which appeals to a dedicated fan base, resulted in a 155% increase in VOD views in the sports category.

SOOP is also actively leveraging its robust content production infrastructure, including Sangam Colosseum, Jamsil DN Colosseum and, Freecup Studio to plan and produce original content of various genres. In gaming, we are revitalizing the gaming content ecosystem by managing professional eSports teams and hosting our own eSports leagues. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen our competitiveness as an original content platform by expanding fandom-centered content and enhancing the production and curation of sports and subculture content.

Freec UP Studio

eSports League

Quarterly revenue

Platform Advertisements

SOOP's platform offers advertising services across mobile apps and PC pages, utilizing a variety of ad formats. These include standardized options such as display ads (banner, in-stream video ads) and keyword search ads, as well as unique offerings that integrate the platform’s donation-based culture, such as the ad-ballon. In 2021, we launched an open ad platform with a real-time bidding system and effective ad analytics, which is helping to drive steady growth in platform ad revenue.

SOOP Ad Management Platform Features

Branded Content Ads

SOOP’s content ads are designed to boost user engagement by delivering campaigns that reflect the shared interests of its community. On SOOP, ad formats fall into two main categories: gaming and non-gaming. In the gaming category, we leverage the platform’s strong game traffic by hosting popular events such as amateur leagues and streamer battles, which not only enhance a game’s popularity but also extend its lifecycle through continuous content exposure. In the non-gaming category, we stand out through our strong community-driven, two-way communication that enables natural brand exposure during long broadcasts while fostering real-time interaction and immediate user feedback.

We aim to achieve both marketing success and viewer satisfaction through diverse formats including live branded content created through real-time online interaction, branded videos produced in collaboration with popular streamers, and viral content designed to promote brands across communities. Leveraging SOOP’s unique strengths, we are expanding our offerings to meet diverse advertiser needs from esports league production to live commerce, thereby building a strong foundation for future growth.

Live Commerce

Live commerce combines live streaming with e-commerce, enabling real-time sales through online broadcasts. Defined by interactive, two-way communication between sellers and viewers, it allows for the immediate exchange of product information and direct engagement with consumers. As digital transformation accelerates and contactless consumption becomes more prevalent, this business model continues to grow in the online shopping sector.

SOOP officially entered the live commerce market in 2022. Leveraging its nature as an interactive media platform, users do not just make one-time visits to purchase products but actively engage in shopping experiences connected to their favorite streamers. This has become a unique strength of SOOP, setting it apart from other live commerce platforms.

In 2024, SOOP continued to revitalize the local economy and host donation activities in collaboration with local organizations and businesses. In the third season of its “Nong-gononglag”¹⁾ live commerce, SOOP created opportunities for farmers to expand their sales channels and facilitated direct communication between farmers and consumers, providing seasonal produce and hosting user participation events. We also launched the FUNATION(Fun-donation) initiative, donating proceeds from charity bazaars held at Seoul Forest and on our Metaverse platform Freeblox to support medical expenses for children and adolescents. SOOP also continued to support the environment and the underprivileged through its Give U commerce donation, where we sold our own private-label products, “Deu-Ril²⁾ Dumplings” and “Deu-Ril x Yukdaejang Yukgaejang”, and essential daily goods.

We placed particular focus on expanding the virtual ecosystem, launching custom merchandise featuring virtual streamer IPs and building a new commerce model that combines fandom culture among teens and people in their 20s. Notable collaborations included the "MoonChip Choco Sandwich X Bunnae New Town Edition" with the "Bunnae New Town" crew and the "MoonChip Choco Sandwich X Virtual White Day Edition" with 11 virtual streamers. On Freeblox, we created original content tailored to the metaverse space, such as the “Deu-Ril Daejang” virtual tavern live commerce event and a 3D virtual cafe selling products of small businesses, which provided an immersive shopping experience that merged reality and the virtual world. We also continue to provide scholarships as part of our outreach to younger generations, engage in various social contribution activities and promote social value through a new business model that combines donation and commerce.

Live commerce contents