Cyworld
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|---|---|
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| social network | |
| languages | Chinese , German , English , Japanese , Korean , Spanish , Vietnamese |
| operator | SK Communications |
| Registration | Yes |
| On-line | 1999 (currently offline) |
| http://global.cyworld.com/ | |
Cyworld ( 싸이 월드 ) is a social network operated by SK Communications . The "Cy" in Cyworld stands for "Cyber" as well as for i sai 'relationship'.
On Cyworld every user has a miniHome (also minihompy ) on which a small website can be created. The page can be decorated with characters, music, etc.
history
Cyworld was started in 1999 and taken over by SK Communications in 2003. The social network quickly became popular in South Korea , reaching up to 33 million users.
In 2006 Cyworld launched both an American and a German version of the service. The German website was started in a joint venture with T-Online . In 2008 the site was closed due to low usage. In 2010 Cyworld also withdrew from the USA.
In 2011, Cyworld launched a global version of the service in seven different languages. However, the number of visitors so far has been disappointing. In August 2011, Facebook overtook Cyworld in terms of visitor numbers.
In January 2014, Cyword announced that the global version would be discontinued on February 10, 2014.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Evolution of Social Network Service into Media -Cyworld Case- October 2008 , posted on ica-it.org , A SK Communications slide-show presentation from 42nd International Council for Information Technology in Government Administration Conference in South Korea in 2008.
- ^ Song Jung-a: Korean site tackles might of MySpace. In: Financial Times . August 31, 2006, accessed April 24, 2012 .
- ↑ Cho Jin-seo: Cyworld Opens German Site Last Week. In: Korea Times . October 18, 2007, accessed April 24, 2012 .
- ^ SK Communications Decides to Close European Unit. In: Korea Times. March 7, 2008, accessed April 24, 2012 .
- ↑ Lee Ji-yoon: SK struggles to revive ailing Cyworld service. In: Korea Herald . April 9, 2012, accessed April 24, 2012 .
- ↑ Cyworld's global ambitions are over. In: Korea JoongAng Daily . January 11, 2014, accessed January 11, 2014 .