'WATHING', a new concept relationship-based SNS that the MZ generation is hooked on, is drawing attention. “The moment you say ‘WA~’, the relationship is recorded”

 

'WATHING', a new concept relationship-based SNS that the MZ generation is hooked on, is drawing attention.

“The moment you say ‘WA~’, the relationship is recorded”

"Aren't you too tired of social media these days?"

Amidst the MZ generation, who are exhausted by ostentation, advertising, and algorithmic competition, a new social platform centered on "sharing daily life with truly close people" is gaining attention. This is the WATHING app .

WATHING is a new concept relational SNS that combines “WA (a ‘wow’ moment)” and “THING (everyday stories).” Users naturally connect with friends, clubs, schools, and local communities through short-form videos and photos.

Recently, South Korea's MZ generation has shown a trend of preferring platforms based on real relationships and interests over social media centered on simple followers. In particular, analysis suggests that consumption centered on short videos and the growth of local and interest-based communities are increasing rapidly.

Amidst this trend, WATHING is promoting a differentiation strategy centered on a “people-centered feed.” 

 

Instead of complex algorithms:

• real friends
• Local-based connections
• Sports, Church, and School Communities
• Short and intuitive short-form content

The platform was designed centering on [this].

 

In particular, it is characterized by simultaneously targeting the core consumption patterns of the MZ generation: “short and fast content consumption” and “orientation toward genuine relationships.” Survey results showing a surge in Instagram and short-form content usage time in Korea also demonstrate this trend.

The industry is paying attention to the potential for WATHING to evolve beyond a simple social network into a “relationship-based community platform.” In fact, global platforms are also rapidly shifting toward structures centered on fandoms, regions, and communities.

 

A WATHING official stated...

“I wanted to create a platform for sharing real daily life with close people, rather than social media for show,”
they stated, adding, “We will provide a new social experience through an AI-based recommendation system and connections with local communities.”

Also, in the future:

• AI recommendation system
• Live Community
• Sports, Church, and University Student Groups
•  

We plan to build a new digital ecosystem centered on the MZ generation by linking these elements.

Experts are paying attention to the recent phenomenon in which the MZ generation is shifting to “real-life relationship-based platforms” due to fatigue with existing social media.

An IT industry insider

"The MZ generation now spends more time on 'services that connect with people around them' than on platforms simply for watching celebrities,"
they assessed, adding that "a structure combining locality, community, and short-form content has significant growth potential."

Currently, WATHING is preparing to expand its user base across various sectors, including university students, sports clubs, and local communities, with a focus on Korea's MZ generation.