Sending nothing but plain text on KakaoTalk can sometimes come across as cold or blunt. A single emoticon can completely change the tone of a conversation. The place to buy and manage these emoticons is the KakaoTalk Emoticon Shop. This guide covers what the shop is, how to buy emoticons for less on PC, and how to get some for free.
๐๏ธ What Is the KakaoTalk Emoticon Shop?
It’s Kakao’s dedicated emoticon store, available not just in the mobile app but also on PC and mobile web browsers.
- Web address: e.kakao.com
- In-app access: From the “More” tab in KakaoTalk, or the emoticon icon at the bottom of any chat window.
Why use the PC web shop instead of the app?
Because it isn’t subject to Apple/Google in-app payment fees, the same product is often cheaper when bought through a PC or mobile web browser than through the mobile app. This gap tends to be especially noticeable for the “Emoticon Plus” subscription, so it’s worth checking the web price before subscribing through the app.
๐ฐ Understanding “Choco,” the In-App Currency
KakaoTalk emoticons aren’t priced in your local currency โ they use “Choco,” Kakao’s own point system.
1 Choco โ 10 KRW (roughly $0.007 USD, though exchange rates vary)
Supported payment methods include Kakao Pay, credit/debit cards, and other options depending on your region. Whether a foreign-issued card is accepted can vary, so it’s safest to check directly on the payment screen.
App vs. web: is the price really different?
| Mobile app (in-app purchase) | PC/mobile web (e.kakao.com) | |
|---|---|---|
| Single emoticon pack | Tends to be more expensive | Tends to be cheaper |
| Emoticon Plus subscription | Full app-store price | Base price, often with a discount coupon |
Since pricing can shift depending on the payment channel, it’s a good habit to check the price on the web shop before buying.
๐ฅ๏ธ How to Buy Emoticons on PC
All you need is a Kakao account โ the country your app store account is registered to doesn’t matter.
1๏ธโฃ Open e.kakao.com in a PC browser and log in with your Kakao account.
2๏ธโฃ Browse the top charts, new releases, or category lists to find an emoticon (many character names can also be searched in English).
3๏ธโฃ Click “Buy” on the emoticon you want, choose a payment method, and complete checkout.
4๏ธโฃ Once payment is done, fully close and reopen KakaoTalk on your phone โ the purchased emoticon syncs automatically.
5๏ธโฃ Tap the emoticon icon at the bottom of any chat window to start using it right away.
๐ก Gifting: On the emoticon shop, choose “Gift” instead of “Buy,” pick a friend from your KakaoTalk contacts, and send it along with a message โ a nice option for birthdays or a quick thank-you.
๐จ The Different Types of Emoticons
The shop offers a few different product types:
- Regular (animated) emoticons: The classic set that appears large in the chat window โ the most common format.
- Mini emoticons: Small emoticons you can drop into the middle of a sentence alongside text.
- Big/action emoticons: Larger, more dramatic emoticons that fill more of the screen.
- Emoticon Plus: A monthly subscription that lets you freely swap between the emoticons included in the plan for as long as you’re subscribed.
If you tend to use emoticons often and like variety, a Plus subscription is usually more cost-effective than buying packs individually.
๐ Ways to Get Emoticons or Choco for Free
- KakaoTalk Charging Station: From the emoticon shop menu, go to “My Choco โ Get Free Choco at the Charging Station” to complete missions like following a brand channel or watching a video in exchange for free Choco.
- Plus Friend / brand channel events: Adding certain brand or local-government KakaoTalk channels can occasionally unlock limited-time free emoticon giveaways.
- Choco gifts between friends: Some promotions let you receive a small amount of bonus Choco by exchanging Choco gifts with friends.
Free emoticons are usually time-limited, so it’s worth checking in on channels you’re interested in from time to time.
๐ Notes for International and Overseas Users
The purchase screen and process are identical for users everywhere. A few things worth knowing:
- All you need is a Kakao account: Regardless of which country your app store account is registered to, logging in with your Kakao account gives you full access to the PC web shop.
- Card payments from abroad: Which payment methods are accepted can vary, so it’s best to check what’s available at checkout.
- Language: If the shop displays mostly in Korean, turning on your browser’s auto-translate feature can help you understand product names and instructions.
- Becoming a creator: Kakao runs “Kakao Emoticon Studio,” open to submissions from anyone, regardless of nationality. Approved designs are officially listed and sold on the Emoticon Shop.
๐ Troubleshooting & FAQ
Q. I bought an emoticon on PC but it’s not showing up on my phone. A. Fully close and reopen the KakaoTalk app. Also double-check that your PC and phone are logged in with the same Kakao account.
Q. Can I get a refund for a purchased emoticon? A. Whether a refund is possible depends on usage and how much time has passed since purchase. Check Kakao Customer Service’s refund policy and contact them from there.
Q. What happens to emoticons I used under Emoticon Plus if I cancel? A. Emoticons you were using through the subscription generally stop being available once you cancel. If there’s one you use often, it may be worth buying it separately.
โจ Wrapping Up
It’s easy to stay inside the app and never think twice about it, but switching to the PC web shop can get you better prices and handy features like gifting. Next time you’re about to buy an emoticon, try stopping by e.kakao.com first.
