V Live
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Type of site | Video streaming |
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Available in | Korean, English, Thai, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Indonesian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese |
Dissolved | December 31, 2022 |
Owner |
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URL | vlive |
Commercial | Yes |
Registration | Optional |
Launched | August 2015 |
V Live(stylized asVLIVE), sometimes referred to asV App,was a South Koreanlive video streaming servicethat allowed celebrities based in the country to broadcast live videos such as live chat sessions with fans, performances, reality shows and award shows on the internet. The service was available for streaming via web browsers onWindows,macOS,andLinux,as well as apps oniOSandAndroiddevices.[1]The company was launched byNaver Corporationin late August 2015,[2]and transferred toWeverse Companyon March 2, 2022. It was shut down after merging with Weverse on December 31, 2022.
History
[edit]In 2007, Naver Corporation launched its video platform channel, but availability was highly restricted and unavailable in many countries.[3]
In early August 2015,Naver Corporationreleased the live streaming app, V Live. The application was originally available only on theGoogle Play StoreforAndroid,but later launched onApp Storefor iOS. The app was aimed at reaching international fan bases, particularly those in Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.[2]Therefore, there were no region restrictions and the website had a variety of language options, such as English, Chinese and Japanese.
V Live provided beta service on August 1, 2015, and the official service started on September 1, 2015.[4]
V Live released the full Android version on September 2, 2015, and the full iOS version was released in mid-September 2015.[5]
According to Sensor Tower, the application had 200,000 downloads and earned $600,000 in Aug 2017; by May 2018, the V Live app had over 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store and iTunes.[6]
On January 27, 2021, it was announced thatNaver Corporation,would transfer their V Live service toHybe Corporation's technology subsidiary, Weverse Company Inc. (formerly known as beNX Inc.).[7]The transfer started on March 2, 2022, starting with transfer of users information and change of management company leading to the gradual phase out of the service in favor of a consolidated service.[8][9]
Services and features
[edit]V Live had over 1,450 channels associated with differentK-popstars, includingBTS,Big Bang,Blackpink,Winner,iKon,Exo,Red Velvet,Got7,Gfriend,TXT,Ateez,Treasure,Monsta X,BtoB,Astro,Apink,T-ara,NCT,Twice,Stray Kids,Itzy,Iz*One,Infinite,Mamamoo,Rocket Punch,Golden Child,Enhypen,Oneus,Victon,Seventeen,Shinhwa,Super Junior,Double S 301,Heo Young-saeng,andJessica Jung.It also hosted channels for various actors and actresses, includingLee Jong-suk,Lee Dong-wook,andPark Bo-young.[10]V Live broadcast programs that ranged from live performances and chat sessions with fans, to reality and award shows.
V Live also made it easy for fans to interact with the website. Users were alerted when a channel they followed began a live stream or uploaded new content.[11]They could comment or send hearts on videos, which were visible to the idol or celebrity in real time. Aspecial effectscongratulatory message appeared on screen whenever the heart count exceeded 1, 10, or 100 million hearts.[12]Every interaction contributed to the user's "chemi-beat", which tracked the users chemistry with a celebrity. Users could increase their chemi-beat by regularly engaging with a channel, turning on push notifications, and sharing videos.[13]Having a high chemi-beat increased users chances of winning an event hosted by an idol.[3]
V Live+ (Plus)
[edit]V Live+ referred to paid content types that offer unreleased, downloadable, and fan catered content.[14]V Live+ content could be purchased with V coins, which roughly amounted to 50 for US$1,[15]or redeemed using a code presented with an external purchase, such as an album.[16]
CH+ (Channel+)
[edit]Some idols also offered CH+, a premium channel accessible only via subscription. CH+ channels could be purchased with V coins on a 30-day, 3 month, 6 month, or yearly basis.[17]CH+ channels differed from regular channels in that they provided hidden broadcasts, videos, and posts.[18]Behind-the-scenesfootage of V Live-exclusive dramas, for example:Welcome to Heal InnandWe See Winter,both featuringFromis 9,was also available.[citation needed]
Reality shows that aired exclusively on V Live CH+ includedReal GOT7andBTS: Bon Voyage.[citation needed]
V COIN
[edit]'V COIN' referred to the electronic currency within 'service' to purchase 'paid product'. 'Paid product' means various products (viewing rights to certain 'content', and/or download rights, specific features within 'service', etc.) that the 'member' can purchase within the 'service'. 'V COIN' could be purchased/recharged through and by app market purchase, credit card, cell phone, bank transfer, and other payment methods set by the company within the service platform. However, if 'member' selected the payment method with an independent operator, the 'member' must follow the payment procedures set by the relevant operator to continue with purchase (iOS only).[19]
Stickers
[edit]Stickers were image items that could be used in V Live chat. Some sticker packs were restricted to particular channels and could only be used in these channel's chats.[20]Stickers could be purchased in the STORE using V coins. Most sticker packs were either free or 100 coins (US$1.99).[21]
The stickers ceased sales on December 1, 2021.[22]
V Lightstick
[edit]V Lightstick (stylized inall caps) was a digital item that acted as a special "heart" icon. The V Lightstick provided the user with double the "hearts" when tapped, a special on-screen effect when heart milestones were hit and a 3 dimensional interactive object representing the lightstick.[23]1-day and 30-day passes were available for purchase in the STORE for 50 coins and 150 coins respectively.[24]V Lightstick was only able to be used on the mobile app.[25]
V Lightstick was introduced on December 7, 2018, and was originally only available forBTS,GOT7,Red Velvet,Monsta X,NU'EST W,andTwice.On December 27, 2018, V Live announced the expansion of V Lightstick to includeBlackpink,iKon,Seventeen,WinnerandCosmic Girls.[26]
The V Lightstick ceased sales on December 1, 2021.[22]
V Fansubs
[edit]V Fansubs referred to the subtitling service that allowed users to submit their own foreign-language subtitle translations for V Live videos. These subtitles were reviewed by a team from V Fansubs before they were uploaded onto V Live.[27]This subtitling feature had been a significant aspect of V Live's growth, attracting a large international fanbase outside of South Korea.
Chemi-beat
[edit]Chemi-beat referred to the level of "chemistry and beat" a user has with a certain channel.[28]This corresponded to the amounts of interaction a user has with a certain channel. There were seven levels of Chemi-beat which a user could obtain. In addition, all users of each channel were ranked based on their Chemi-beat. These ranks were updated daily and the TOP 100 users were displayed on each channel's home page.[29]
Beyond LIVE
[edit]In April 2020, it was announced South Korean largest entertainment companySM Entertainmentand Naver had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the purpose to expand the reach of concerts to global audience. The joint efforts lead to the creation of "Beyond LIVE",a series of online live concerts which - according to SM representative - combine" SM's content development capabilities with Naver's platform technology ".[30]The concerts were hosted on Vlive app.
Awards
[edit]The platform held yearly awards, colloquially called the V Live Awards, to honor the most popular people and content on the website. The primary awards, the Global Top 10 and Rookie Top 5, were awarded to the top ten most popular V Live channels, the latter specifically for new artists.[31][32]Additional popularity awards were selected via online voting.[33]Initially, the fifteen channels held an individual broadcast where they received the award,[33]however, starting in 2019, V Live began presenting the awards at a ceremony entitled V Heartbeat.[34]
Influence on Hallyu
[edit]V Live was a medium in which Korean celebrities could reach a global audience and has allowed non-Korean speaking fans worldwide to intimately interact with their favorite Hallyu idols. There was an online community on V Live for fan translators who created foreign subtitles so that more people could enjoy the content worldwide. Translators were ranked by the number of lines that they have translated.[35]The subtitling process was made user-friendly so that fans did not need any specific technical skills.[11]Contests and events were held to encourage fan-subbing. For example, fan translators in the past had won V coins[36]and video calls with their favorite idols.[37]Because of fan translators, some videos had as many as 17 subtitle options.[38]
V Live had collaborated with RBW Entertainment Vietnam (a subsidiary ofthe Korean entertainment company) to produce a lot of Vietnamese-based shows. Moreover, V Live launched special mini-concerts called "V Heartbeat" to connect K-pop and V-pop stars. For their opening show they invited Winner to perform in Vietnam.[39]
Notes
[edit]- ^V-Live was transferred to Weverse Company, a subsidiary of HYBE Corporation. Weverse Company is owned in a 51% by HYBE Corp. and 49% by Naver Corp.
References
[edit]- ^"About V LIVE".Archivedfrom the original on March 8, 2018.RetrievedMarch 7,2018.
- ^abHerald, The Korea (July 29, 2015)."Naver to launch global streaming app for K-pop".Archivedfrom the original on July 31, 2015.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^ab"Linking You to Hallyu: The V Live Broadcasting App".seoulbeats.September 7, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2018.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^"네이버, 라이브스트리밍 동영상 서비스 'V' 출시…빅뱅 등 셀럽 참여".Archivedfrom the original on June 26, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2020.
- ^"네이버 'V(브이)'…" 안드로이드 정식 버전 출시하며 빅뱅 'V LIVE' 시작 "".September 2, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on June 25, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2020.
- ^Tower, Sensor."Sensor Tower - Mobile App Store Marketing Intelligence".Sensor Tower.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2013.RetrievedMay 1,2018.
- ^"빅히트·네이버 협업, 팬 커뮤니티 플랫폼 강화 [공식입장]".xportsnews(in Korean). January 27, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on August 4, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 27,2021.
- ^"V LIVE, Notice 4549".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 28,2022.
- ^"V LIVE".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 28,2022.
- ^"Channels: V LIVE".Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2022.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^abAisyah, Aznur; Jin, Nam Yun (December 28, 2017)."K-Pop V Fansubs, V LIVE and NAVER Dictionary: Fansubbers' Synergy in Minimising Language Barriers".3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature.23(4): 112–127.doi:10.17576/3L-2017-2304-09.ISSN2550-2247.Archivedfrom the original on January 10, 2018.RetrievedMay 3,2018.
- ^"About V LIVE".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 14,2020.
- ^"What is a chemi-beat?".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2022.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^"What is V Live +(PLUS)?".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2022.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^"What are coins and how can I buy them?".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2022.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^"GOT7 <Present: YOU> Voice Thanks To".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"[V LIVE] TWICE+".Archivedfrom the original on April 23, 2018.RetrievedApril 26,2018.
- ^"The difference between regular channels and CHANNEL+".help.naver.RetrievedApril 26,2018.
- ^"V LIVE - Paid Service Terms".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on August 8, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 14,2020.
- ^"What are" stickers "?".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"STICKERS".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^ab"V LIVE".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on January 28, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 28,2022.
- ^"About V Lightstick".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"LIGHTSTICK".vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"We introduce you V LIGHT STICk 2nd lineup".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"V Lightstick Use Restrictions".channels.vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"Guidelines".subtitle.vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"What is Chemi-beat?".help.naver.Archivedfrom the original on June 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"What is CHEMI-BEAT?".m.vlive.tv.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 2,2019.
- ^"K-pop stars look to online platforms to fill gap left by canceled performances".The Hankyoreh(english.hani.co.kr).Archivedfrom the original on September 12, 2020.RetrievedApril 30,2020.
- ^"[V Report] Roundup of BTS, GOT7, WJSN's V Live award party".The Korea Herald.February 18, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2019.RetrievedJuly 18,2019.
- ^Glasby, Taylor (June 5, 2019)."The A-Z of K-pop: know your sasaengs from your monster rookies".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on July 18, 2019.RetrievedJuly 18,2019.
- ^ab"[V Report Plus] Vote for 'Special Award' winner via V app".The Korea Herald.January 24, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on July 17, 2019.RetrievedJuly 18,2019.
- ^Lee, Ha-na (November 16, 2019).방탄소년단·몬스타엑스, 2관왕 영예‥ITZY→CIX 루키 도약(종합)[V하트비트][BTS, Monsta X, honors of two daesangs... ITZY → CIX Rookie Take Off (General) [V Heartbeat]].Newsen(in Korean).Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2019.RetrievedDecember 25,2019– viaNaver.
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- ^"NOTICE:: V LIVE Fansubs".subtitle.vlive.tv(in Korean).Archivedfrom the original on April 17, 2018.RetrievedApril 26,2018.
- ^"NOTICE:: V LIVE Fansubs".subtitle.vlive.tv(in Korean).Archivedfrom the original on January 13, 2018.RetrievedApril 26,2018.
- ^"[V LIVE] Run BTS! 2018 - EP.50".Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2018.RetrievedApril 28,2018.
- ^"V Live V Heartbeat Opening Show With WINNER".Archivedfrom the original on October 31, 2018.RetrievedJuly 8,2018.