A report by market research firm Wiseapp Retail Goods, published Thursday, found that in February, the average user spent 48 hours and 73 minutes per month on short-form video applications such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
In contrast, they spent only 7 hours and 14 minutes on over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms, including Netflix, Tving, and Coupang Play.
The findings are consistent with similar reports from August 2024, when short-form video consumption outpaced OTT streaming by a sevenfold margin.
Industry analysts say the trend reflects a growing preference for briefer, more digestible content as attention spans shorten.
According to the Korea Communications Commission, short-form video content is the most frequently consumed media format among smartphone users in South Korea, with nearly 42 percent of respondents reporting that they watch such content at least five days a week.
Domestic technology companies are rapidly expanding their short-form video offerings to capitalize on the shift. Kakao, a leading internet conglomerate, plans to introduce a dedicated short-form tab in its Daum app during the second quarter to enhance accessibility and engagement.
“Following our short-form and content support initiative, we have observed steady growth in new channels and content,” a Kakao official said. “The variety of available content continues to expand.”
Naver, another major player in South Korea’s tech sector, reported a fivefold increase in content production on its short-form video service, Clip, in February compared with the same period last year. The company also noted that daily average playbacks quadrupled and the number of active channels tripled over the same period.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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