PARTNERSHIPS | COMMUNITY | PODCAST | FRIENDS
Bubble Lets Fans Text Their Favorite Stars
The new fandom // Image by Kait Cunniff with DALL-E
New apps are allowing artists and their fans — primarily in the K-pop genre — to message each other… for a price, of course.
Why It Hits: K-pop reigns supreme when it comes to fostering parasocial relationships between artists and fans, per THR. There are already plenty of costly ways for that interaction to happen — from “fansigns” to online fan calls — but low-cost messaging services could further democratize the process, building an endless, direct feedback loop that might even shape the music itself.
Behind The Messages: Communicating with K-pop “Idols,” as they’re known, could soon become as commonplace as texting a friend.
Bubble — created by the software company Dear U — is a subscription-based app where fans pay $4–$5 per month for each group member they want to message.
Weverse, owned by HYBE, allows users to connect with band members via Weverse DM for $5 per person.
K-pop groups can have as many as eight members, so paying to chat with the whole band will cost you — which is exactly the genius of the per-member payment strategy.
Spell Check: These platforms are racking up serious engagement. Weverse claims its app has over 150 million downloads, with 90% of the traffic originating from outside South Korea. That demonstrates both the global popularity of K-pop and the shift toward messaging as the new trendy tool for communication — reflected in Gen Z’s latest preference for hitting up the group chat over firing off a post on X.
Next Text: It’s only a matter of time before non-K-pop artists try something similar to unlock a new revenue stream.
Together with Cash App
What If Saving Felt As Easy As Your Morning Routine?
With Cash App, it can.
Round up your spare change from your coffee runs, save part of every paycheck with direct deposit, and make your savings work for you with up to *4% interest.
Save and transfer money whenever you want — and know your money is safe with 24/7 fraud monitoring and proactive security features.
Reach your goals faster with a smarter way to save — one that fits seamlessly into your everyday life..
Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See Terms and Conditions. Round Ups provided by Cash App. *To earn the highest interest rate on your Cash App savings balance, you need to be 18 or older, have a Cash App Card, and direct deposit at least $300 monthly into Cash App. Cash App will pass through a portion of the interest paid on your savings balance held in an account for the benefit of Cash App customers at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. Savings yield rate is subject to change.
PARTNERSHIPS | COMMUNITY | PODCAST | FRIENDS
Today’s email was written by David Vendrell.
Edited by Nick Comney. Polled and Copy-edited by Kait Cunniff.
Published by Darline Salazar.