TLDRs:
- KakaoTalk will integrate ChatGPT in October, offering AI chats directly within the app.
- Users can access reservations, gifting, and music streaming without leaving KakaoTalk.
- Kakao aims to transform the messenger into a multifunctional AI-powered super app.
- Integration targets increased engagement amid competition from Instagram and YouTube.
KakaoTalk, South Korea’s leading messaging app, is preparing for one of its most significant transformations to date.
Starting October 2025, the platform will integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT, allowing users to access generative AI capabilities directly within a dedicated chat tab. This means no additional downloads or apps are required for users who want AI-powered conversations.
The move comes as part of Kakao’s strategy to evolve its messenger from a simple communication tool into an all-encompassing “super app” that seamlessly incorporates services across its ecosystem. Users will be able to make reservations, send gifts, and stream music via Melon without ever leaving their chat interface.
Embedding AI Into Everyday Life
CEO Chung Shin-a emphasized the importance of this integration during the company’s annual developers conference in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
“If(kakao) 2025 marks a pivotal moment for embedding globally recognized AI capabilities into a platform that nearly every Korean interacts with daily,” Chung said.
Oliver Jay, OpenAI’s international managing director, highlighted the significance of combining global AI technology with local expertise.
“By bringing ChatGPT into KakaoTalk, we are embedding world-class AI into the everyday lives of people across South Korea,” he noted.
Jay added that this partnership is just the beginning, with plans to expand AI integration across Kakao’s broader suite of services.
A Strategic Move Amid Engagement Challenges
Despite having approximately 49.1 million monthly active users in the second quarter, nearly the entire South Korean population, KakaoTalk has faced declining engagement. Mobile Index data shows that average monthly time spent per user fell from 800 minutes in July 2021 to 674 minutes as of August 2025, a 16% decrease.
Industry insiders suggest that AI integration could serve as the “game-changing innovation” Kakao needs to maintain its leadership. By embedding AI agents directly within chats, Kakao can provide personalized interactions, targeted content, and automated services, all without requiring users to scroll, click, or download additional apps.
Redefining Messaging for the AI Era
Kakao is not alone in its pursuit of AI-powered messaging. Japan’s Line is developing AI tools for travel and financial services, while China’s Tencent has integrated its Hunyuan AI model into WeChat, automating hundreds of features.
However, Kakao is taking a unique approach by positioning AI at the heart of its platform. The company envisions a future where everyday activities like shopping, payments and gaming are unified under an intelligent assistant framework.
Still, experts caution that challenges remain. Older users, who make up a large portion of KakaoTalk’s core base, may struggle with interface changes. Analysts like Lee Jun-ho of Hana Securities note that embedding ChatGPT alone may not reverse declining engagement unless the AI experience feels genuinely innovative and goes beyond simple messaging functions.
