bemyfriends

Steve Seo, also known as Seo Wooseok, previously led the global fan community platform Weverse at beNX (now Weverse Company), a subsidiary of HYBE, the agency behind BTS. His co-founder, Brice Lee, brings a deep background in technology, having served as a CTO at various tech companies. Their combined expertise underpins the company's strategy of empowering creators with technology to foster deeper connections with their fanbase.

The core offering, b.stage, is a customizable, all-in-one platform where creators can host content, sell merchandise, manage memberships, and communicate directly with their fans. This model allows creators to own their fan data and monetize their content without relying solely on third-party social media platforms. The business model is primarily SaaS, with revenue generated through subscriptions or a share of the transactions conducted on the platform, such as merchandise and ticket sales. Clients range from individual creators and K-pop idols to entertainment agencies and global brands seeking to cultivate dedicated communities.

A significant milestone for bemyfriends was securing a seed investment of 5.5 billion KRW (approximately $4.5 million USD) from leading domestic and international venture capitalists shortly after its inception. The platform has since expanded its services globally, supporting multiple languages and payment options to cater to a worldwide user base. The service's key benefit lies in offering a centralized hub for all fan-related activities, thereby strengthening the creator-fan relationship and providing new revenue streams.