Blockchain: The Link to Going Global
Kwangjung Kim : CEO of Screena
Screeena is a web3 community of movie, tv, anime geeks with ‘Screena Watchparty’ (chrome extension)solution that connects social watching experience with web3 community
1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your company?
I'm Kwangjung Kim, CEO of Screena. Screena operates a watch-party platform that allows users to chat while watching OTT content together. The platform has a module where you can receive NFTs for watching content, and because of this module, we are collaborating with content companies and creators who see the potential of Web3 and want to expand their content business. On the side, we run a study community and YouTube channel to help many people in various fields prepare for the future of Web 3 We also provide blockchain utilization training for companies and creators.
2. Web 3, NFTs, and blockchain still seem to be a bit of a mystery. Is there any reason why startups or individuals should be more interested in this area?
If AI technology brings innovations that dramatically reduce initial production costs, I think blockchain technology is a useful scale-up tool that can generate global revenue. In business, they say, “It’s enough to be good at one thing,” but even if you’re good at something, it’s only when you go global that you see your true potential. I see blockchain as a technology that can help you scale up to the global market.
3. Why do you think the Korean content sector has great potential for future development, especially in conjunction with the metaverse and blockchain technology?
I think Korean content is still undervalued because it has just started to expand to the world. However, it is not easy to change the distribution network that has been established for decades in the content industry, so I think it will take time for the value of Korean content to be properly recognized.
However, I think it will be different if content providers themselves create added value on the global stage by utilizing blockchain, a relatively new technology, rather than the existing distribution network. If they provide fans with relevant experiences not only in the real world but also in the virtual world (the Metaverse) and allow them to own NFTs, such as items and avatars, it is expected that fans will be able to add value with their fandom.
4. Can you tell us about your Metaverse Project of the 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo’
A content creation project is underway on 'The Sandbox' metaverse platform utilizing the IP (copyright) of last year's popular TV series 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' drama, and Screena is participating as an advisor.
The plan is to make it possible for users to experience various locations in the 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' drama in The Sandbox metaverse space and enjoy it as a game, and we are advisors for the parts of the project that require Web3 perspectives and applications.
5. Screena has many followers on Link3, a Web3 social networking platform. Can you tell us a little bit more about this platform?
Recently, I participated in an event called 'Social House' in Japan, and I was a little bit confused when I showed my business card at the event. All of the participants showed their Link3 profiles with QR codes instead of business cards. In addition to the profile feature, Link3 has various social media platform features such as blogs, communities, and projects. The platform currently has about 950,000 users and has organized 8,800 events for these users. Screena has about 5,000 and 6,500 followers on Link3 and Phaver, two of the leading Web 3 social media platforms, respectively. Screena has a top 5.8% follower in link3 and a top 0.5% follower in Phaver.
6. Do you have a strategy for attracting so many followers on Web3 social networks?
Screena has a 'corn character', "Ok-nim," which we airdropped by creating PFPs (Picture for Profile) customized to each person's characteristics. Profile pictures are one of the most common uses of NFTs, so we let people have their own PFP, which was really well-received by users and helped us attract a lot of followers early on.
7. What are the advantages for companies to utilize Web 3 social media platform like Link3?
From a corporate perspective, the blockchain business seems attractive, but it can be burdensome due to sudden price drops and legal issues. However, since Web 3.0 social media platform is an activity that gathers fans and customers first, I think it is a good way for companies to test new businesses or explore new markets without much risk.
If you already have a blockchain-related service or business, the Web 3 social media platform is a great place to promote it. Since all of its users use blockchain wallets and are blockchain-friendly, the efficiency of advertising/promotion is bound to be high.
8. Can I acquire NFTs without having coins?
Recently, there are more and more services that support card or in-app payments, so it is expected that the barrier to access NFTs will be lowered by a lot.
On the other hand, NFTs that can be earned through participation rather than upfront purchases are also becoming more popular, with so-called soulboundtokens (SBTs) increasingly being used to commemorate different forms of participation or as a symbol of qualification.
The custom‘Oknim’ we made for people earlier were PFPs, and the certificate participants received for participating in the study is also an SBT. The characteristic of an SBT is that once you receive it, you cannot sell or give it to others. In other words, since you cannot buy or sell an SBT, it can be utilized as trust information on the blockchain.
9. What are the advantages of utilizing blockchain technology in the content field when going global?
I think blockchain is an advantageous technology for companies related to digital goods to go global and scale up. The advantage of utilizing blockchain technology when doing global business is that digital goods, NFTs, can be delivered to people in any country and can cross the hurdles of different payments in individual countries. For example, overseas fans who want to buy K-pop artists' merchandise may worry a lot about the receipt method and reliability before purchasing products. However, by utilizing blockchain technology, digital goods such as items and avatars issued as NFTs can be easily transacted as long as the addresses of the buyer and seller are accurately known and the process is transparent.
10. You are conducting a study group on blockchain. Please tell us why you are running the study group and who will be helpful in participating in this study group in the future.
Currently, there are many people who create video content such as movies, dramas, webtoons, and animations, as well as people involved in the metaverse. In addition to this, there are also members of the public who want to know about blockchain. I believe that Web 3.0 has a lot of potential to create more added value, but Web 3.0 is difficult to access if you are not familiar with the ecosystem and principles of blockchain. In this regard, we are running an online study to prepare for the future by sharing basic knowledge about blockchain and success stories of events utilizing Web 3. We look forward to your interest and participation.