KakaoTalk’s Big Friends Tab Update: Why Koreans Wanted It Rolled Back and What Happens Next If you live in Korea, you already know that KakaoTalk is more than just a messaging app—it’s practically a national communication infrastructure. People use it to talk with friends, family, coworkers, classmates, bosses, club members, delivery riders, and even local government offices. Because of this, the Friends tab—the very first screen you see when you open the app—has always remained simple, stable, and predictable. It’s essentially Korea’s collective contact list. But in September 2025, KakaoTalk introduced one of its most dramatic redesigns ever. And Korean users reacted with one clear message: “Please bring the old version back.” 📱 A Major Redesign No One Saw Coming https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-08-20/business/tech/Doing-it-for-theKakao-Koreas-top-messaging-app-set-to-add-Instagramlike-features/2379910 The update replaced the familiar vertical list of contacts with a new interface that looked more like Instagram or TikTok. Suddenly, the Friends tab was filled with: Small card-style updates from friends Profile photos and posts displayed in visual grids Short-form videos mixed into the feed Algorithmically recommended content Ads blended between personal updates Kakao explained that the goal was to “expand KakaoTalk as a social platform” and encourage more content sharing, not just texting. They wanted the app to evolve into a space where people could discover new posts, trends, and creators. But the reaction was… intense. 😬 Why Korean Users Strongly Opposed the Update https://www.newstree.kr/newsView/ntr202510150002 Even though tech companies often refresh their apps, KakaoTalk occupies a special place in Korea. So when the core interface changed, the discomfort was immediate. 🔹 1. People didn’t want social-media-style exposure Many users said it felt intrusive to suddenly see updates from distant acquaintances—old classmates, coworkers, people they barely interact with. KakaoTalk has always been a private communication tool, not a platform for broadcasting life updates. 🔹 2. The new feed made basic tasks harder The Friends tab is where people go to: Look up a friend quickly Check someone’s profile Start a chat in seconds But the new design pushed ads, recommendations, and video cards between contacts. Users described it as “too noisy,” “too busy,” and “not what a messenger is supposed to feel like.” 🔹 3. The backlash affected Kakao’s reputation and stock The update triggered a wave of negative reviews on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Major Korean news outlets reported that Kakao’s stock fell nearly 9% within a week, citing the update as one of the contributing factors. The message from users was clear: “We use KakaoTalk because it’s simple. Don’t turn it into another Instagram.” 🏛️ Kakao’s Response: A Partial Rollback https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11489193 Facing national criticism, Kakao released a public statement. They said they couldn’t revert the entire app to a previous version for technical reasons—but they would restore the classic Friends tab layout. By late September, the company announced: The old list-style friend view would return as the default The new card-style feed would be moved to a separate optional tab The messenger experience would be kept clean and simple Social features would become opt-in rather than forced The issue was even addressed during a National Assembly hearing, where Kakao clarified that technically, restoring the old interface was possible and would be completed within the year. This reassured many users who were concerned about KakaoTalk shifting too aggressively toward a social-media model. 🔧 What Happens Next: December 2025 Update As December 2025 approaches, Korean IT media reports that Kakao is finalizing an update that will reshape the Friends tab once again—this time with user preference at its center. ✔️ Users will be able to choose: Classic list view (the original, simple contact layout) Grid-style social feed (the new content-focused design) ✔️ The messenger’s main screen will go back to normal Chats and contacts will remain easy to access, without ads or videos interrupting the flow. ✔️ Social features won’t disappear Kakao will still keep the new feed, but it will be tucked away in its own section for those who want it. This hybrid model aims to satisfy both the traditional KakaoTalk users—who rely on the app for quick, clean communication—and younger users who enjoy discovering visual content. The 2025 Friends tab update became one of the biggest tech controversies in Korea that year, proving just how central KakaoTalk is to everyday life. The backlash also showed something deeper: Koreans don’t necessarily want every app to become a social network. Some platforms are valued because they are simple. With Kakao bringing back the classic Friends tab, users are hopeful that the app will return to its original purpose—a fast, dependable, and familiar messenger—while still offering optional new features for those who enjoy them. If Kakao can balance convenience and innovation moving forward, the 2025 update may end up becoming a valuable lesson rather than a long-term misstep. #KakaoTalk #KakaoUpdate #KoreaTech #KoreaIT #KakaoFriendsTab #AppRedesign #UserBacklash #KoreanApps #MessengerApp #SocialMediaFeatures #KakaoRollback #KakaoNews #KoreanTechTrends #AppUX #UserExperience #2025Update #KoreaDaily #TrendingInKorea #KoreaSocialMedia #KakaoChange #TechControversy #MobileApps #KakaoTalkUpdate #KoreanUsers #AppInterface #DigitalKorea #TechNewsKorea #KoreanCultureTech #KoreaAppReview #KoreaITNews
