Hello, Channel Netmarble readers! It is our pleasure to present you with the second Global Netmarble Inside, following the interview with Edwin Lin of Netmarble Joybomb. This time, we invited Kim Gun-woo, CEO of Netmarble Thailand, a Thai quarter of Netmarble that dominates Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, is a highly potential game market that combines various cultures. As many Netmarble games such as Modoo Marble, Seven Knights, and Lineage 2 Revolution have topped the market rankings, Thailand is also a market where Netmarble's enthusiastic users gather. Let's find out how Netmarble Thailand is leading the industry in Southeast Asia.

#1. Thank you for your time today, Mr. Kim! Could you briefly please introduce Netmarble Thailand and yourself?

Hello everyone! My name is Kim Gunwoo, CEO of Netmarble Thailand. Netmarble Thailand is one of the branches established to pioneer the Southeast Asian market. Also, it's one of the most important markets which aim to create the success of Netmarble at the global level. 

#2. How competitive Nemarble is in the Thai market?  

Thailand is a tourist destination country where many foreigners love to visit, thus resulting in a mixture of cultures and various cultural exchanges. Same as in the game market, there are a variety of successful games in the Thai market if the game has good enough quality. It applies not only to Korean games but also to any game that can succeed in Thailand.   

#3. What do you think is the main factor that makes Netmarble (Thailand) successful and accepted in the Thai gaming industry?

I think many factors determine the success and failure of a game. Let's start with the situation and trend of the market. Including various variables such as marketing, public relations, etc. For Netmarble Thailand, there must be three fundamental marketing factors as flows;    

• First, The quality of the game must be good. If the game is developed in low quality, it will not attract gamers' attention. Not only is the success or failure of the game, but it also affects the company's reputation.   
• Second, localization, which translates to the local language, is significant. It will pass a good quality game to gamers if the translation is good. Also, it has to add content in a specific format for Thai players as well.  
• Third, The service. From a Thai gamer's point of view, we have to think about which kind of service we should serve to satisfy Thai gamers. Including quick response (feedback) and solving the problems is also the critical point.  

Most of all, we have tried our best to do these three fundamentals as much as ideally to serve the good quality game for the Thai market and Thai gamers.

#4. The achievements show the seamless cooperation between Netmarble HQ and Netmarble Thailand. Please explain the excellent cooperation between HQ and Netmarble Thailand. 

As I have mentioned before about three important principles, the first thing is to make a good quality game, which is the primary duty of HQ. And to create and make a good quality game, we must act as eyes and ears which can see and listen to Thai gamers' behavior and satisfaction. In addition, the big responsibility of Netmarble Thailand is localization and service provision to our gamers. These are the main points that connect to the game's development. Therefore, we always coordinate with HQ, which can compare to an organ in our body. Every organ part is essential and can not be lacking.

#5. As we know, Seven Knights series is very popular among THAI players. Please explain this phenomenon, including insights into the game market in Thailand. Also, please tell us about the Netmarble brand empowerment in Thailand.    

During the launch period of Seven Knights, Netmarble Thailand was not yet well known and was quite a newbie in the Thai games market. At that time, we were in the process of studying the Thai market and the behavior of Thai gamers' preferences. Therefore, It is a very challenging time. While we were still a newbie, we've been doing lots of co-promotion, which was quite unique and varied. So, I think accord from these activities that we get attention from THAI gamers, making us great success. Thank you so much for all the lovely gamers.

#6. After both Seven Knights 1 and Seven Knights 2 have been very successful and won the hearts of many Thai fans. How does Netmarble Thailand have a particular plan to surprise Thai players?

Seven Knights is one of the most critical IPs in the Thai market. We are preparing a lot of various activities for Seven Knights fans, not only for Seven Knights and Seven Knights 2, but also a lot of new games as well. Please keep following our news updates.   

#7. Lastly, please say something for Netmarble readers!

Thank you to everyone who has always supported us. We promise you that we will continuously present good quality games to all of you in the future. Due to the Covid-19 situation, it is very unfortunate that many activities have been suspended, which also decreased our opportunity to meet everyone in person. However, I'm confident that all of us will be healthy and we hope to see you soon. Thank you once again for your love and support of Netmarble games. We will continue to repay your kindness with challenging and creative works. And present all players with high innovation and great quality games.