Beomgyu of Tomorrow X Together (TXT) has voiced his frustration over KakaoTalk's recent large-scale update.

On September 28, he posted on fan platform Weverse: "Why does KakaoTalk update itself however it wants? I really hate sudden changes." He went on to call the update "really bad," adding, "If they're going to force an update, at least add a function to let us roll back to the previous version."

Pointing Out User Frustrations

While acknowledging that updates are meant to bring innovation, Beomgyu criticized the execution: "They made it harder to use. Now profiles are lined up like a gallery—it's uncomfortable." He further questioned the purpose of the revamp, writing, "If no one likes the update, then who exactly was it for?"

Despite his disapproval, Beomgyu also expressed respect for the developers: "I think it's amazing that they keep creating new things. I'm always thankful for their efforts."

Public Backlash Over KakaoTalk Changes

KakaoTalk, Korea's dominant messenger app, rolled out its biggest overhaul in 15 years on September 23. The new version added features like Kakao Agent, short-form video services, and expanded profile/friend tabs, aiming to transform the app into more of a social media platform.

However, users reacted negatively, particularly to the increased presence of ads. The backlash even impacted the stock market, with Kakao's share price dropping over 4% during trading on September 26. In response, Kakao has since pledged to adjust its service direction.

TXT's Current Activities

Meanwhile, Beomgyu and TXT recently partnered with UNICEF to launch the TOGETHER FOR TOMORROW campaign, focused on global youth mental health.

Would you like me to also add cultural context for international readers about KakaoTalk's dominance in Korea, so they understand why its updates spark such strong reactions?