Kim Beom-soo is the Chairman of the Kakao Management Innovation Committee.
After creating and growing the 'nation's messenger' KakaoTalk, he quickly expanded the business into finance, content, and mobility.
Although he once stepped back from frontline management to focus on discovering overseas business opportunities as the head of the Future Initiative Center, he returned to management to address the crisis surrounding Kakao.
He was born on March 8, 1966, in Seoul.
He graduated from Konkuk University High School and Seoul National University with a degree in industrial engineering, and earned a master's degree in industrial engineering from the graduate school at Seoul National University.
He joined Samsung SDS and worked with Lee Hae-jin, Naver's Global Investment Officer (GIO), who was his colleague. He also met Nam-goong Hoon, co-CEO of Kakao Games, at Samsung SDS.
He operated 'Mission Number One,' the largest PC room in the country, in front of Hanyang University. He saved money from the PC room business to establish the gaming company 'Hangame,' attracting 10 million members within a year and a half.
Hangame merged with Navercom, led by Lee Hae-jin, to form NHN. By providing Hangame for free on Naver and selling items within the games, they significantly increased revenue.
After a disagreement with Lee Hae-jin, he left NHN after managing overseas branches and moved to the United States. Despite several business attempts, he did not achieve notable success.
After seeing the iPhone in the United States, he predicted the decline of the PC web era. Returning to Korea to engage in mobile business, he launched the mobile messenger KakaoTalk.
After growing the company with KakaoTalk, he merged with Daum Communications, becoming the largest shareholder and chairman of the board of Daum Kakao. A year after the merger, the company name was changed to Kakao.
He is actively working to build the 'Kakao ecosystem' by supporting startups and engaging in educational activities to help young entrepreneurs.
His personality is bold and humble. He has a gambler's instinct, making quick and decisive decisions.
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