Kakao Friends

Name

Kakao Friends

Website

https://store.kakaofriends.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Short description

Kakao Friends is a South Korea-based character brand owned by Kakao that sells character-branded merchandise through its online store (Kakao Friends Shop) and extends into themed hospitality experiences via branded hotel partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Character Merchandise

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Retail-Miscellaneous Shopping Goods Stores (5940)

akta.pro primary industry

Traditional Toy Stores (CRALAFAA)

Keywords

• Character merchandise
• Branded lifestyle products
• Character licensing
• Themed collaboration experiences
• Online character retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Yeoksamdong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Distribution channels2 records

Core offering

Kakao Friends is a character brand business that designs, produces, and sells character-branded merchandise — including plush toys, accessories, and lifestyle goods — through its official online store, the Kakao Friends Shop. The company also extends its character IP through licensing deals and branded collaboration experiences with hospitality and retail partners, such as the Andaz Bali themed stay package.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kakao Friends Shop (카카오 프렌즈샵) The official direct-to-consumer online store selling Kakao Friends character-branded merchandise and lifestyle products (such as plush toys, accessories, and themed goods) to fans of the character brand globally, with worldwide shipping available.
• Kakao Friends Themed Stay Experience at Andaz Bali A limited-time hospitality experience package where Kakao Friends licenses its character IP to Andaz Bali (Hyatt) to deliver character-themed villa accommodations, amenities, and guest services. Targeted at travelers and Kakao Friends fans seeking premium, IP-driven hospitality experiences in Southeast Asia.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Andaz Bali (Hyatt)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2026Andaz Bali, a Hyatt hotel, has launched a Kakao Friends-themed stay experience, becoming the first hotel in Southeast Asia to offer this collaboration featuring the popular character brand. The limited-time offer includes two Kakao Friends-inspired Garden Pool Villas with themed amenities, personalized butler service, complimentary minibar, VIP airport transfers, a $100 resort credit, and spa treatments.

Broad incumbents

• Disney Consumer Products: The merchandise and licensing arm of The Walt Disney Company. Operates a much broader character IP portfolio across toys, apparel, and themed experiences, but competes directly for the same character-licensing shelf space and hospitality collaboration deals.

Direct peers

• Line Friends: Korean-Japanese character brand created by Line Corporation, featuring Brown, Cony, and Sally. The most direct competitor to Kakao Friends, offering identical character merchandise, themed cafés, and hotel collaborations across Asia and globally.
• Miniso: Chinese-affiliated variety retailer selling lifestyle products, toys, and character-licensed goods at value price points globally. Overlaps with Kakao Friends on affordable character merchandise retail and licensing.
• HYBE (BTS & artist IP merchandise): Korean entertainment company that monetizes K-pop artist IP through merchandise, photocard drops, and global pop-up retail. Comparable as a Korean-origin IP licensing business reaching global youth consumers through character/figure merchandise.
• Sanrio: Japanese character brand company behind Hello Kitty and a deep portfolio of character IPs. Comparable in operating a character merchandise licensing business with global retail and hospitality partnerships.
• Pop Mart: Chinese designer toy and collectible character company operating a global retail chain. Directly comparable as a character-IP-to-merchandise business targeting similar Asian and international consumer demographics.

Emerging players

• Mighty Jaxx: Singapore-based designer toy and collectible company operating across Asia. Comparable as an emerging Asian character/collectible IP business expanding into retail and licensing, though with a designer-artist focus rather than corporate mascot branding.

Regional players

• Miffy / Mercis: Dutch character brand (Miffy/Nijntje) with strong licensing operations in Europe and Asia. Comparable as a heritage character brand extending into hospitality, retail, and cross-category licensing partnerships.

Market position

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kakao Friends