Do you enjoy content? Movies, web novels, webtoons? These days, many creators are turning intangible content into tangible collectibles—for their fans and to stay connected with them.
There are people who serve as the bridge between creators and their fan communities. Meet the team that works tirelessly to turn a wide variety of creators’ content into products and showcase them Wadiz! Let us introduce the Creator Team and our Producer.
Pro, please introduce yourself and tell us about your role on the team!
Jonghyun, the pro: Hello. I’m Director Park Jong-hyun, and I oversee the Creator Team Wadiz. The Creator Team handles all products where “content” is the core focus. As a Creator Producer, my job is to discover compelling, undiscovered content and introduce it to our supporters. We handle categories such as characters/merchandise, publishing/classes, and culture/artists.
The Creator Team’s responsibilities can be broadly divided into two categories. First, we partner with IP companies to secure high-quality content. We design business opportunities from a mid- to long-term perspective and contribute to strengthening the foundation of the creator category. Second, our PDs* take charge of specific categories to proactively expand our project portfolio and creator ecosystem.
*Project Directors are responsible for sourcing and sales.
A community of people who are passionate about content, to introduce and expand the content they love to the world, living by the motto of .
Eunjeong: Hello! I’m Lee Eun-jeong, Category Lead of the Creator Team. So far, I’ve met with over 600 individual artists and creators and managed more than 300 projects.. This is the result of consulting on the business growth of diverse creators under the motto, “Let anyone with content succeed.”
Creators who have spent a long time focusing on their content often struggle with developing and executing business strategies, such as planning, promotion, and marketing. A PD acts as a guiding partner, working closely with creators to help their projects stand out to Wadiz and providing direction.
Jung-ah Pro : Hello. I’m PD Choi Jeong-ah from the Creator Team. I primarily collaborate with creators in the content IP and publishing markets to plan and manage projects. I feel a great sense of fulfillment when creators’ rough-cut ideas are polished into polished projects through my work and go on to build a dedicated fanbase!
To sum up my job in a nutshell, I’d say it’s about “suggesting various options and broadening makers’ horizons so they can make the best choices.”
Joo-hyun: Hello. I’m Kang Joo-hyun, Category Lead for Publishing and Classes on the Creator Team. My job is to create a new paradigm that transcends the limitations of the traditional publishing market. I identify the content people want and, moving beyond the physical constraints of books, deliver the content itself directly to our supporters. The same applies to our classes. We identify content that aligns with the ever-changing trends of society, develop it into products that are useful in people’s lives, and deliver them to the public.
How did you come to join Wadiz?
Jonghyun: I’d like to start my own business someday. Wadizis a platform where entrepreneurs gather—that’s the main reason I joined Wadiz. I get to meet entrepreneurs, listen to their stories, and help ensure their products resonate with the market. Through this work, I’m gaining indirect experience in entrepreneurship and learning clear, practical lessons on how to succeed.
Eunjeong: Before joiningWadiz, I earned a master’s degree in arts management in New York and worked at a public institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, where I planned and managed various support programs for artists. During my master’s program, I researched fundraising in the arts and culture sector through crowdfunding. After that, while interning at museums and Broadway theaters in New York, I also managed fundraising campaigns on American crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe (gofundme.com). During that time, I became completely captivated by the appeal of crowdfunding—its ability to generate publicity, marketing, and funds in a short period—and after returning to Korea, I joined Wadiz, the country’s largest crowdfunding platform.
Joo-hyun: Previously, I worked as a planner/editor and MD at a publishing company, where I developed children’s toys and books. The biggest reason I decided to join Wadiz was my “desire for growth.” I wanted to break away from the conservative publishing structure and work outside of a traditional publishing house.
When I first joined Wadiz, Producer Jonghyun asked me, “Why did you leave a publishing company to come here? We don’t do any publishing here.” I replied, “That’s exactly why I want to build it from the ground up.” And indeed, since I joined, the Wadiz publishing category has more than doubled in size under my leadership. That’s why I believe the role of a Wadiz PD is one of the few great positions where my personal growth directly translates into the company’s growth.
Wadiz Creator Team
What are the biggest advantages and unique aspects of the PD role Wadiz?
Eunjeong, Producer: The biggest advantage of beingWadiz is that you can choose and lead the projects you want. It’s an environment where you can truly combine your passion with your career! It’s truly fulfilling to work on projects you love rather than just doing what you’re told. Above all, because you’re doing what you love, you can grow at an unprecedented rate.
I sometimes meet with the YouTubers and influencers I follow in person. It’s a win-win situation because I get to hear their success strategies and practical insights! The experience of collaborating with the people I’ve always wanted to meet, sharing insights, and growing together is a privilege unique to Wadiz. It’s no exaggeration to say that “oneWadiz PD embodies the insights of 500 company representatives.”
I also love being able to work from anywhere. Since I have to meet with prospective makers, I can’t avoid going out on business trips. As a PD, I have the privilege of using any FASTFIVE location nationwide. In fact, I visit the FASTFIVE locations in Gangnam and Hongdae more often than I go to the Pangyo headquarters.
Jung-ah, Producer: Many of theWadiz PDs used to be called MDs or PMs at their previous jobs. Everyone Wadiz PDs are all-rounders,”. Since many of our makers are in the early stages of their businesses, we need to be all-rounders who can provide tailored consulting—not just in sourcing, but also in sales, planning, operations, and marketing—depending on the maker’s stage of business development. Thanks to this, I experience constant learning and growth, along with a deep sense of fulfillment.
Joo-hyun, Producer: The biggest advantage of being aWadiz is autonomyand rapid growth. PDs decide for themselves where to work, what goals to pursue, and how to achieve them. (Where else can you find a company like this?) Of course, this autonomy is only possible because of a strong sense of responsibility and mutual trust.
As a PD on the Creator Team, you’ll often have meetings with external partners. By sharing insights with emerging brands and creators, you’ll develop a keen eye for the market and a deeper understanding of products. (I promise!) As you build a track record of successful projects, you’ll experience personal growth while helping to grow both the products and the market. I hope you all get to experience the wonder of how your personal growth becomes the growth of the maker, and how that growth, in turn, becomes the growth of the company.
The sourcing/sales PD role in each category has a 6-month probationary period. What do you do during this time?
Jonghyun, Product Manager: Wadizcore business is “crowdfunding,” which involves introducing products that haven’t yet been launched on the market. Because it’s a unique platform, six months is the minimum time required to understand its structure and learn how it works. During the probationary period, PDs gain experience with a variety of projects. They handle projects across all categories—not just their primary focus—to deepen their fundamental understanding of Wadiz. You could say this is a period for learning the so-calledWadiz grammar.”
What are the most important skills or experiences required for the role of Wadiz PD?
Jonghyun: First An eye for content, Second Identifying a USP (Unique Selling Proposition), Third Marketing/Communication SkillsFirst, you need to know what kind of content will resonate best in the market. Then, you must match the identified content with the optimal creator. This is where the USP comes into play. A USP refers to knowing which points to emphasize and how to appeal to the audience. Once a great product is created, you need the marketing skills to sell it effectively in the market. You must be able to communicate with the fanbase, understand their sentiments, and meet their needs.
Do you have any personal convictions or principles that you always try to uphold at work?
Jonghyun Pro: Wadiz5 Principles I most strongly resonate with the second principle: “We enjoy riding the waves of rapid change and stay ahead.” Trends in the content industry shift incredibly quickly. If you can’t enjoy riding these waves of rapid change, it’s hard to have fun working on the creator team.
Joo-hyun Pro: 5 Principles I really like the first principle, “Do the right thing.” Even if there’s an opportunity to boost revenue, I won’t source content if I don’t think it’s good by my standards. I also try not to harm the market ecosystem. In meetings, I tend to emphasize the basic ethics expected of a creator.
Jung-ah: My favorite of the three principles is “We meet each other’s needs.” I actively share the know-how I’ve acquired with my colleagues. As a market expert, I realized that while having my own unique expertise as a PD has its advantages, it can also sometimes lead to a narrow perspective. So every week, I share everything relevant to our work—from market trends to sales strategies—with my team members, and we work together to address and improve upon these areas.
When we share our expertise with one another, we gain new insights that spark fresh ideas. I work with a sense of responsibility, believing that my personal growth leads to the growth of my colleagues! I’m proud to say that we are “smart and wise colleagues who are always willing to generously share their expertise.”
Creator and art projects have been gaining momentum recently. Why do you think so many creators are turning to crowdfunding platforms?
Eunjeong: Art and crowdfunding are a perfect match. Whether it’s creating that long-awaited debut album, hosting a drawing class that shares my unique expertise, or producing my first line of merchandise featuring my original characters, crowdfunding turns creators’ vague dreams into reality.
In particular, Wadizis a community of 5.5 million supporters who are ready to listen to and support the value of those dreams. These are supporters who are willing to fund even a 10 million won project if they truly feel its story and value. As an opportunity and a breakthrough to introduce projects and brands to these supporters with a deep interest in culture and the arts, many creators have recently been turning Wadiz.
Jung-ah: There are no limitsWadiz. Creators themselves become the content, and whatever form of reward they choose to offer can be turned into a project! They can create brand merchandise or host in-person lectures. For creators with diverse personalities, it’s an endless platform where they can showcase themselves. That’s what makes it so appealing.
Another advantage is that you can meet new fans (supporters), build a fanbase, and establish your brandWadiz. It seems that its significance as a space for branding and communication has grown even stronger, rather than just being a platform for raising funds.
Is there a project or maker that stands out in your memory?
Eunjeong: I’ve directed many projects worth tens of millions of won, but the project byAiletsol Maker,who took on a new challenge,stands out the most in my memory. Having just graduated from art school, Maker was working primarily with oil pastel drawings. At the time, independent artists were mainly working on projects like posters, postcards, and calendars. Ailetsol launched a Wadiz crowdfunding campaign featuring a new sketchbook, oil pastel kits, and five original artworks she had drawn herself. She successfully raised approximately 50 million won. Notably, the five original artworks sold out in less than an hour after the campaign launched! This was a far better result than what they would have achieved in a typical gallery. The artist mentioned that through the Wadiz crowdfunding experience, they learned a great deal about how to market their artwork and content. It was most rewarding and fulfilling to see independent artists find their own strategies to take their businesses to the next level.
Joo-hyun Pro : The crowdfunding campaign for the English conversation e-book by Ivy League alumna Im Seo-mistands out the most in my memory. CEO Im Seo-mi has run four projects. The fundraising amounts have steadily increased from 10 million won, to 50 million won, to 100 million won, and finally to 280 million won. This growth stemmed from the quality of the content, and the key factors were meticulous fanbase management and distinctive story-based marketing. I bring up this project in every meeting. I see it as an example of a high-quality content project that keeps growing, rather than one that succeeds once and then fades away.
What kinds of makers, projects, or art fields would you like to feature on Wadizin the future?
Joo-hyun : Society is changing at a rapid pace. Just in the past two years alone, we’ve seen the emergence of new trends like NFTs and ChatGPT—things we’d never even heard of before. As these trends continue to emerge, I want to be the first to introduce them to our supporters and share great content with them.
Jung-ah Pro: Wadiz, very few creators launch projects featuring a single book. That’s because Wadiz supporters are people who want to own the “content itself.” Daewon CI (Needle Book)’s Complete Collection of Makoto Shinkai’s Novels funding project, I became even more convinced.Wadiz supporters truly recognize the value of the content itself, and Wadiza platform for communication where we can showcase that content to our heart’s content.” Going forward, I want to consistently launch projects that expand the content’s IP so that the content can be remembered for even longer.
What kind of "dream" do you have Wadiz?
Jonghyun: I hopeWadizbecomes a mecca for creators. Wadizisn’t a niche platform, but it has the capacity to accommodate a diversity of content rivaling that of niche platforms. Crowdfunding plays a pivotal role in the process of creating new products while communicating and collaborating with fans. I hope that when creators start thinking beyond content and consider expanding into business, Wadizis the first platform that comes to mind.
Wadiz Creator Team
What kind of new colleagues would you like to work with in the future?
Jonghyun: I want to work with proactive and self-motivated colleagues. If you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and a firm sense of purpose, you’ll be a great fit for the Creator Team. Wadizstill has many uncharted territories to explore, and this new challenge can be difficult to tackle without a strong sense of determination. I want to provide an experience where your personal vision aligns with the company’s strategy. To do that, you first need to be clear about who you want to become and what kind of work you want to do, right?
👉 Wadiz is hiring Category-Specific Sourcing/Sales PDs (Click)
