Aju Business Daily

SEOUL -- The operator of ZEPETO, a 3D avatar creator platform in South Korea, forged a strategic partnership with DIA TV, a multichannel network for online content creators, to produce augmented reality content. ZEPETO is a popular smartphone app that allows users to interact with others and offers a variety of clothing and accessories for decoration.

Naver Z said that ZEPETO would produce AR content with DIA TV's creators and release items emphasizing their individuality. "We will provide various content experiences to ZEPETO's main users, Millennials and Generation Z, and strengthen the synergy between content," said Naver Z CEO Kim Dae-wook.

In October, ZEPETO attracted investment from the agencies of K-pop bands BTS and BLACKPINK, saying it would expand a business model through indirect participation by artists to provide an extended fan experience in a virtual environment. Big Hit and YG would create value in the global market using their intellectual property rights and ZEPETO's avatar service.

BLACKPINK has collaborated with ZEPETO to provide characterized models. Through a 3D character creation studio app, users can take selfies with BLACKPINK members using AR technology.