«To know one's steps is to master the Way.
Yet, Cookies shall light the road. Please, decide which marks shall remain.»
Entering the South Korean market: strategic PR & digital marketing
Comprehensive market entry solutions for the Korean market: from strategy development to campaign execution using localized communication channels.
About Mates Asia
Mates Asia is an international marketing and PR agency specializing in helping foreign brands enter the South Korean market. We provide our clients with strategic and creative solutions based on a deep understanding of the local culture, digital platforms, and media landscape.
Our key capabilities:
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Strategic PR & Crisis Communications
Development and implementation of communication strategies, reputation management, and crisis response.
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Digital Marketing & Advertising
SEO and SEM strategies, social media management, content marketing, and targeted advertising.
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Influencer Marketing & KOL Collaboration
Selection and management of opinion leaders, creation and execution of influencer campaigns.
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Brand Development & Creative Production
Brand creation and adaptation, development of creative concepts and assets.
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Global PR Strategies & International Communications
Development and implementation of PR strategies for international markets and global communications management.
Our Services
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Market Research for South Korea
Our experts conduct comprehensive research on the South Korean market to help you understand consumer behavior, the competitive landscape, and current trends.
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Strategy and Media Planning for Korea
We develop tailored strategies, including the selection of optimal channels for brand promotion. South Korea has unique platforms like Naver, Daum, KakaoTalk, and YouTube Korea, which heavily influence user behavior.
Key Platforms in the South Korean Market
Naver
Naver is the largest search engine in Korea, accounting for over 70% of all search traffic. It is the primary channel for SEO in the country. Naver also encompasses several key features like Naver Blogs, Naver Cafe, and Naver Knowledge iN, which serve as essential tools for content marketing.
What we offer:
- Content optimization for Naver’s algorithms
- Creation and management of Naver Blogs
- Link-building and SEO
- Promotion in Naver Cafe popular thematic communities
KakaoTalk
KakaoTalk is the leading messenger app in South Korea, reaching nearly 99% of the country’s internet users. It offers marketing opportunities through KakaoStory, KakaoChannel, and in-app advertising.
What we offer:
- Targeted advertising via KakaoTalk
- Promotion through KakaoStory (brand publications and promotion)
- KakaoChannel management and brand integration
Daum
Daum is one of Korea’s largest search platforms and online service providers, offering news, email, and various internet services. Many Koreans use Daum for news and content.
What We Offer:
- Daum SEO optimization
- Content creation for Daum News
- Audience engagement in Daum Cafe
YouTube Korea
YouTube is a vital marketing platform in Korea, especially for video content and promotional clips. Users actively rely on YouTube for information about new products and services.
What We Offer:
- Developing YouTube-optimized video content
- Collaboration with Korean video bloggers
Instagram и Facebook KoreaWhile Instagram and Facebook are less dominant than local platforms, they remain important for reaching younger demographics and international customers.
What We Offer:
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- Managing Instagram and Facebook accounts with localized content
- Running targeted ads for Korean users
Naver Shopping / Coupang / 11st
These are major e-commerce platforms in Korea where consumers actively search for products. Success hinges on effective store management, ad placement, and product promotion.
What We Offer:
- Creation and optimization of stores on Naver Shopping, Coupang, and 11st
- Product promotion via PPC (pay-per-click) advertising on these platforms
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Social Media Management (SMM)
We help you build an effective presence on Korea’s most popular social networks, like KakaoStory, Instagram, and YouTube, with a focus on localized content and targeted advertising.
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Press Releases & Digital PR
We adapt and distribute press releases considering the specificities of the Korean market. We have direct connections with leading Korean media outlets like Naver News, Daum, and Kakao News.
What We Offer:
- Preparation and adaptation of press releases
- Distribution via Naver News, Kakao News
- Engagement with local media platforms for maximum reach
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Influencers (KOL — Key Opinion Leaders)
Collaborating with Korean influencers requires careful selection of bloggers and KOLs who have the most impact on your target audience. We analyze and match KOLs with the right audience for your brand.
What We Offer:
- Identification and collaboration with local influencers
- Development of joint advertising campaigns
- Campaign performance monitoring and analytics
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Offline Activities
Participating in exhibitions, business events, and conferences in Korea can significantly boost your market presence. We organize and provide full support for such events.
What we offer:
- Organization of and participation in events, exhibitions, and conferences
- On-the-ground support, including interpreters and technical assistance
Benefits of partnering with us
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Deep Understanding of Local Platforms
We know how to apply localized approaches to each channel, be it Naver, KakaoTalk, or others.
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Expertise in SEO for Naver and Daum.
We understand how to adapt content for these search engines’ specifics, ensuring steady growth in your brand’s visibility.
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Local Culture & Consumer Preferences.
Our experts are well-versed in Korean audience behavior and know how to build marketing campaigns that resonate with them.
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End-to-End Process Management.
We guide you through every stage, from market research and strategy development to results monitoring and optimization.
Our Process
Market research: We analyze the market, audience, and competitors to build an effective strategy.
Strategy development: We create a customized strategy and media plan tailored to the Korean market’s specifics.
Campaign launch: We execute the strategy using all relevant local channels: SEO, SMM, PR, and KOL collaboration.
Monitoring & optimization: We evaluate performance and adjust campaigns for continuous improvement based on data.
FAQ
What is the typical timeline for seeing initial results in the Korean market?
Initial results are typically visible within 1-2 months after launch. However, the timeline depends on the chosen strategy and target audience.
How do we approach SEO for the Naver platform effectively?
SEO on Naver requires creating content within its ecosystem, including Blogs, Cafe, and other resources. We work across these platforms to maximize your brand’s visibility.
What guarantees can you provide on the results?
We work with a KPI-based model, ensuring all goals and results are transparent and measurable.
Got a question?
We will help you to promote your business in South Korea.
Apply now and get a free consultation!
Apply now and get a free consultation!
Case Studies
Royal Tennis Club
- Growth & Performance Highlights Follower growth of 95% (+113 new followers) driven by organic promotion.
- 182% increase in views (reaching 6K+) and 219% increase in watch time.
- Engagement boost: Likes grew by 319%, and post saves increased by 35%.
- Services Provided: LITTLE RED BOOK (Xiaohongshu/RED)
What we did:
View case
- Little Red Book
DR.SEA
- Brand Launch from Scratch: Complete registration and verification on WeChat and Douyin in one month.
- Viral Content Success: The Labubu video achieved high organic reach and subscriber growth without an advertising budget.
- Localized Content: Four localized WeChat articles published, demonstrating high readership and engagement.
- Strategic Foundation: A comprehensive Douyin video promotion strategy developed based on competitor and trend analysis.
What we did:
View case
- Douyin
UTLC
- Analysis of the current state of the B2B logistics market on the China-Europe route.
- Identification of key market players and their market share.
- Analysis of target audience needs, preferences, and behavioral specifics.
- Turnkey WeChat Management.
- Baidu PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising Launch and Lead Generation.
What we did:
View case
- Market Research in China
- Baidu
Positive Technologies
- The Baidu advertising campaign generated 34 leads in the first month, 6 of which were qualified.
- The CTR (Click-Through Rate) exceeded planned targets by 44%.
- The CPL (Cost Per Lead) was 83.5% below the planned cost, which allowed for budget optimization and increased profitability (ROI).
What we did:
View case
- Baidu
Sila Sveta
- Tencent Ad Account Setup: Successfully established the advertising account within the Tencent ecosystem.
- Account Verification: WeChat and Douyin official account verification successfully obtained.
- Reach Achievement: Exceeded 3 million in total reach across WeChat & Douyin within the first three months.
- Follower Growth: Achieved over 5,000 followers from a standing start within six months.
- High Engagement Rate (ER): Maintained an average engagement rate (ER) of 9.11% on the newly launched accounts.
- Services Provided: WECHAT, DOUYIN
What we did:
View case
- Douyin
ST Group
- Account Creation: STglob official accounts established on the Baidu and WeChat platforms.
- Content Localization: Content developed with close attention to the cultural and linguistic nuances of the Chinese market to effectively attract the target audience.
- Strategic Planning: Comprehensive market research and competitive analysis conducted to build a long-term strategy for the Chinese market.
- Services Provided: WECHAT, DOUYIN
What we did:
View case
- Douyin