"Reservation at a Restaurant, Done via Chat"... Tried 'ChatGPT for Kakao'

[Financial News] KakaoTalk is expanding into a new lifestyle platform. 'ChatGPT for Kakao', introduced by Kakao in partnership with OpenAI, now enables users to handle all aspects of daily life—searching, booking, shopping, learning, and consulting—seamlessly within KakaoTalk. Actual users report, “There’s no need to switch between apps anymore,” and agree, “KakaoTalk has become an all-in-one lifestyle assistant.”
■ Choosing a Venue in 5 Minutes... No More 'Decision Paralysis'The time wasted on picking a venue in group chats has been drastically reduced thanks to ChatGPT. Kim, an office worker in her 30s, recently noticed this change while arranging dinner with friends. While chatting on KakaoTalk, she typed “Recommend a barbecue restaurant near Gangnam Station” into ChatGPT, and the AI immediately suggested four or five options.
Integrated with map information, users could instantly check locations on Kakao Map, as well as directions, reviews, and reservation details. Kim said, “It used to take a lot of time to decide on a dinner spot, but now I don’t have to look up each piece of information separately, which is convenient.” She added, “Since the AI shows directions, atmosphere, and reservation options all at once, making a decision took almost no time.”
Travel planning, which used to rely on fragmented information searches, has also changed. While preparing for a weekend trip, Lee asked ChatGPT for a “3-day itinerary for Seoraksan” during a chat with his wife. ChatGPT provided tips and mapped out a hiking route from Seoul, passing Seorak Falls and leading up to Daecheongbong Peak. Recommendations for accommodations and travel routes were also displayed on the map, greatly reducing the time needed to plan. Lee commented, “Compared to the days of entering multiple search terms and checking each result, this was much more intuitive.” He added, “It was convenient to set the itinerary and book lodging directly during the conversation.”
■ A Shopping Assistant and Even Emotional SupportWith information search and purchases unified within the chat window, shopping accessibility has improved. Park, a housewife in her 40s, asked ChatGPT, “What are the trendy clothes for teenagers this fall and where can I buy them?” The AI suggested key styles such as beige, gray, and charcoal hoodies, track jackets, and wide denim, along with leading brands and price ranges, making selection easier. Park said, “Tips like ‘OOO sneakers are a must-have for girls these days’ and ‘solid logo designs are more popular than character prints’ were helpful.” She added, “When I entered specific conditions like a male middle schooler and budget, the AI created a customized shopping list and coordinated outfits with links.”
The integration of ChatGPT has also turned KakaoTalk into a 'personal tutor' for teenage users. Choi, a high school student, asked ChatGPT, “What is a quantum computer?” during a group chat for a school assignment. The AI summarized the core concepts and provided audiovisual materials via YouTube links. Choi remarked, “It was amazing to get summary notes and video lectures right in KakaoTalk without going through a complicated search process.”


Emotional support was also available. After a big argument with her boyfriend, Seo messaged, “Today was really tough,” and ChatGPT replied, “It’s okay. It’s completely natural to feel that way right now. You don’t have to overcome anything today...” Seo said, “It might have been a simple message, but it was more comforting than I expected,” with a smile.
The key to this experience is 'seamless connectivity.' Kakao is accelerating its 'super-app' strategy by integrating all daily life services around the conversational interface of KakaoTalk. 'ChatGPT for Kakao', officially launched on KakaoTalk on October 28, is part of this strategy. Users can access it directly via a dedicated button at the top of the chat tab, without installing a separate app or logging in. The service recognizes input during conversations and automatically calls up Kakao’s main services such as Kakao Map, reservations, gifting, Melon (music), and shopping.
If users can resolve all their needs—maps, shopping, music, learning, and more—through conversations with ChatGPT within KakaoTalk without switching apps, Kakao expects the era of everyday AI will truly begin. Starting with integration of its own services, Kakao plans to further expand its ecosystem through future collaborations with external services.


yjjoe@fnnews.com Jo Yoon-joo Reporter