Seoul, South Korea - bemyfriends, a company specializing in the global fandom business, announced updates to its b.stage POP feature.
The new enhancements include a 1:1 TALK for one-on-one messaging and an ASK feature for question-and-answer sessions.
Enhanced functionality for user engagement
The update advances the company's strategy to improve fan-to-artist interactions. b.stage is a comprehensive platform integrating content sharing, community engagement, memberships, e-commerce, and live streaming into a unified experience.
It eliminates the need for users to switch between platforms for various fandom-related activities.
Quantifiable Demand for Custom Messaging
According to bemyfriends' Fandom Experience Survey, 70% of fans find private messaging appealing and necessary.
The added 1:1 TALK feature aims to meet this quantifiable demand by enabling direct, personalized communication between artists and fans.
Unified communication tools
The update integrates previously separate functionalities - live streaming, text chat, and 1:1 TALK - into a single environment within b.stage POP.
This integrated approach allows users to switch between different modes of interaction seamlessly.
The fan receives an instant notification when a user is in a 1:1 TALK session, and an artist initiates a live stream.
The ASK feature allows artists to send photos and answer fan questions during live and text-based interactions.
Adoption by the entertainment industry
K-POP groups such as ATEEZ, which KQ Entertainment manages, have begun to use the updated feature set.
Following this trend acts like Queenz Eye and multinational rookie girl group X:IN also integrate b.stage POP into their global fan engagement strategies.
What to expect?
Brice Lee, Co-CEO of bemyfriends, noted that b.stage allows business owners to create a centralized hub for all fandom-related activities.
This aligns with the company's diversification strategy into fandom consulting, global e-commerce, and IP-based business initiatives.
