Kakao Talk, the chat platform almost all Koreans use, was cited as the best innovation from the country in the 21st century.

According to an online survey carried out by the Korea Invention Promotion Association in cooperation with Maeil Business Newspaper, Kakao Talk won the best invention title, earning 1,157 votes from 2,429 respondents.

Launched in 2010 by Kakao Corp., the mobile messenger grew rapidly with the advent of smartphone technology. The number of Kakao Talk users exceeded one million in just six months after the service was introduced and hit 100 million in 2013. It also contributed to the expansion of mobile ecosystem through collaboration with Kakao Gift and Kakao Taxi.

5G smartphone came second. Korea was first to launch commercialized 5G services, with Samsung Electronics’ rollout of Galaxy S10 5G smartphone in 2019. According to market researcher Strategy Analytics, Samsung Electronics shipped 17 million 5G smartphones in the first quarter of this year alone.

Drive-thru coronavirus testing center, which was first introduced by Kyungbook University Hospital in Daegu, ranked as the third-top invention. The drive-thru system has played an effective role in containing the spread of Covid-19 by minimizing contact at testing sites. A similar walk-thru system testing booth has ranked 10th on the list.

Innovative home appliances which have made Korean brands dominant in the global market have also made the top 10 list.

Steam clothing care appliance ‘Styler’ came fourth, followed by ice-making water purifiers amid home café boom in the years of pandemic.

Rollable TVs launched in 2019 was No. 6 and foldable smartphones No. 8.

Buldak Spicy Chicken Noodle with a seasoning that has now become synonymous with Korea hot recipe was No. 9.

By Lee Sae-bom and Lee Soo-min

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]