In the weeks leading up to Twitch’s withdrawal from South Korea, the platform experienced a decline in viewership among Korean-speaking users. As a result, Korean streamers organized virtual services in memory of Twitch on various alternative platforms such as Animal Crossing, VRChat, and Minecraft. Some even humorously paid their respects in person by wearing traditional black outfits and bowing to framed printouts of the Twitch logo. The phrase „Twitch funeral“ trended on social media platforms as streamers dispersed across different alternatives vying to take Twitch’s place.
Twitch officially ceased operations in South Korea on February 27, citing the country’s high network fees as the reason for the shutdown. With 300,000 daily viewers from South Korea and top streamers attracting millions of followers, the closure of Twitch has left many Korean streamers scrambling to migrate their communities to alternative livestreaming platforms. Despite Twitch’s promise to assist streamers in transitioning, creators have reported receiving little support from the company during this process.
The shutdown of Twitch in South Korea has raised concerns about the impact of the country’s „sender pays“ rule, which requires companies to compensate receiving networks for the traffic they send. This rule has been criticized for fragmenting the internet and creating barriers for certain services like Twitch. The move has forced Korean streamers to explore alternative platforms such as AfreecaTV, Chzzk, and Kick, each with its own set of challenges and limitations for creators.
Many Korean streamers are facing uncertainty about the future of their content and communities as they navigate the transition to new platforms. The lack of support from Twitch and the complexities of moving to unfamiliar platforms have left creators feeling overwhelmed and unsure about their next steps. Some streamers have opted to move to YouTube, while others are exploring U.S.-based platforms like LiveSpace as potential alternatives.
The fines imposed on Twitch by the Korea Communications Commission highlight the regulatory challenges faced by foreign tech companies operating in South Korea. The „Netflix law“ and other regulations aim to ensure fair treatment of Korean networks by foreign content providers, but they have also led to increased scrutiny and penalties for companies like Facebook and Twitch. The shifting regulatory landscape in South Korea has further complicated the situation for streamers and content creators in the country.
As Korean streamers navigate the aftermath of Twitch’s exit, concerns about cultural isolation and the impact on the gaming community have emerged. The loss of interactive features and the inability to share content with a global audience could have far-reaching consequences for Korean gamers and content creators. The future of livestreaming in South Korea remains uncertain as creators adapt to new platforms and regulations in the wake of Twitch’s departure.
