Why Is Everyone Mad at KakaoTalk?
KakaoTalk, South Korea’s go-to messaging app—think WhatsApp, but with stickers, games, and your grandma—is facing serious backlash after a massive update. Big-name celebs like TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s Beomgyu and rapper Lee Youngji are airing their grievances, and fans across the country are nodding in agreement: “Why fix what wasn’t broken?”
TXT’s Beomgyu Just Wants the Old Version Back
On June 28, TXT member Beomgyu took to Weverse to share his frustrations: “Why does KakaoTalk upgrade itself without asking?” he wrote. “I hate sudden changes more than anything, and this update? I really hate it.”
And he didn’t stop there. Beomgyu, known for his charmingly blunt honesty, added, “Can you at least add a feature that lets us switch it back? I like analog stuff—and this just changed too much all at once.”
Apparently, he’s not alone. The new interface highlights features like profile galleries, causing Beomgyu to quip, “I don’t care about other people’s profiles, but now it looks like an art museum!”
Lee Youngji’s Epic Rant
Rapper and variety show queen Lee Youngji brought her signature chaos energy to Bubble, another fan interaction platform. She shared that she’d tried her best to resist the update: “I fought hard not to update KakaoTalk. But it happened…without my consent!” she exclaimed dramatically.
After seeing the new look, she let loose with a string of emoji-worthy reactions: “No!!!! Please!!!! This is weird!!!!”
Adding fuel to the fire, she revealed that some of her old profile photos—like one from high school featuring former idol crush Jay Park—were now on full display. “Jay Park’s photo from when I was a student is just…there. On my KakaoTalk. I have to go erase everything right now,” she said in horror. Relatable.
Even Nam Bora Was Confused
Actress Nam Bora also chimed in, posting, “Wait… does anyone know how to undo this Kakao update??” Her reaction photo showed a completely transformed app interface—one that looked less like a messenger and more like Gen Z’s TikTok feed, complete with short-form video content.
The outcry shows just how deeply KakaoTalk is woven into daily Korean life. A sudden shift in the app’s design? It’s like someone rearranged your kitchen overnight and didn’t tell you where they put the coffee.
Fans and Artists Want the Old Kakao Back
The update has sparked more than a few laughs—and a lot of empathy. While Beomgyu wrapped up his rant with a diplomatic nod to the developers (“Thank you for your hard work”), his main message was clear: updates should serve the user, not confuse them.
Lee Youngji and Nam Bora echoed the same sentiment in funnier, more chaotic ways. But at the end of the day, the core question remains: Who exactly wanted this update?
Tech Meets Culture—With Mixed Results
For international fans, KakaoTalk is more than just a messaging app—it’s a cultural icon. Similar to how many in the West feel about iMessage or Instagram, KakaoTalk is a daily ritual in Korea. A redesign that feels more like a forced lifestyle makeover? Yeah, people are going to panic.
So, Kakao, we’re asking nicely (but loudly): can we please get the OG version back?
