Cyworld.com - The Build A Virtual Home Social Network

Cyworld is a popular Korean networking site that has recently debuted here in the States. Essentially, this is a closed networking site; users design their own Minihome, which is akin to a personal space; in it, photos, stories, artwork, and documents can be added. Vistors of your Minihome will first see your Cover Story, basically a profile with information about who you are, how you feel, etc. Cyworld members may also create a Minime for their Minihome; Minime´s are avatars which can be changed or updated as often as the user feels fit. In a Minihome the user can outfit a Miniroom with virtual carpets, rugs, wall papers, and décor; accoutrements can be purchased with acorns and users can buy gifts for their friends. Each Minihome shows user stats, i.e. popularity, activity and friendliness. The more decked out and stylized your Miniroom is, the more popular you´ll be. Cyworld has recently teamed up with Eyespot the video editing site, so that Cyworld users can upload, share and modify their videos; features include special effects, slow motion, cross-fading, and coloring. There are contests, an online film festival and a makeover challenge.

“Cyworld is a whole new way to connect with the people in your world. Here you"ll find friends you know, new people to meet, clubs to join and special spaces for your photos, artwork, journals and more. In Cyworld, you can meet up, hang out, play, dream and share your world like never before.

The Minihomes and Minirooms are sure to appeal to the younger generation with its doll like avatars, shopping and home decoration. These build your own space attributes are charming and provide for lots of fun. It gives members a way to connect with friends and find new ones. The site is already huge in South Korea, with young girls becoming Cyholicsâ€"checking their Minihomes constantly for updated info. The site´s business model is also something novel. Using the site is free, but to customize your home you´ve got to pay; so you dish out for a better looking ‘hompy´ and the friends will follow.

Is this site too much about money and goods? The social networking market is hugely saturated, will MySpace members sign up for another network; will this whole acorn payment spiel fare as well in the States as it has in Korea? Doesn´t that go against the whole 2.0 grain?