– Sales of hundreds of millions of won on launch day… Initial demand confirmed among early adopters
– Expanding cases of global brands testing the Korean market, including products spotlighted at CES
Wadiz(CEO Shin Hye-seong, www.wadiz.kr) is serving as a platform where global tech brands are launching their products in the Korean market for the first time. Increasingly, overseas tech companies are using Wadizto gauge initial demand and collect purchase data based on the reactions of early adopters in Korea—who are known for their high tech adoption rates—before expanding their distribution channels in earnest.
In fact, a wide range of next-generation devices—including AI-powered smartphones, AI glasses with real-time translation capabilities, and wearable robots—are being introduced to the Korean market through Wadiz. This model allows companies to secure an initial user base while minimizing inventory risks by utilizing pre-order-based funding, and to gauge market response based on that foundation.
iKKO’s AI smartphone, the “Mind One K Pro,” which made its domestic debut, raised approximately 380 million won in funding on its first day of release. With over 11,000 people signing up for pre-release notifications, the device—a premium product with an average purchase price of around 780,000 won—continued to attract interest, achieving remarkable results in the tech and home appliance category in February.
LLVision’s AI glasses, “Leion Hey2,” which garnered significant attention at CES 2026 earlier this year, surpassed 100 million won in funding within just two hours of the project’s launch. Similarly, the AI wearable robot “Hypershell,” which won the Best Innovation Award in the Robotics category at CES 2025, also raised approximately 100 million won in funding immediately after its release. Global tech devices featuring innovative technologies have demonstrated strong engagement and rapid sales in the Korean market as well.
This trend is not limited to recent examples. Plaud, an AI note-taking company, has also launched several new products Wadizsince 2023—including its AI voice recorder “Plaud Note”—and has raised over 700 million won in cumulative funding. Global tech brands are using Wadizto connect with Korean consumers for the first time and gauge initial market response.
A Wadiz representative stated, “We are seeing an increasing number of cases where not only international tech brands but also domestic companies Wadizto gauge market reaction before launching new products,” adding, “Brands with strong technological capabilities are using Wadizto secure an early user base and seek a starting point for global expansion.”
