A mobile app called ‘ChatKind,’ which rewards users for posting praises about friends, colleagues, or companies, is being officially introduced in succession to businesses and schools. The goal is to improve organizational culture by encouraging the use of positive language.
On the 24th, the Sunple Foundation, the Good Comment Foundation, and Lotte Hotel signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the introduction of ‘ChatKind’ at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. ChatKind is a ‘praise reward-type AI platform’ that analyzes users’ expressions of praise, encouragement, and gratitude through artificial intelligence, converts them into ‘kindness scores,’ and links them to welfare points, incentives, vacations, etc. Lotte Hotel had been piloting the app since last year and officially announced its full-scale introduction this year.
At the signing ceremony, Doo Kyung-tae, Lotte Hotel’s general manager, said, “Hotel employees are on the front lines of emotional labor, so we thought some form of compensation was necessary,” and “Although the culture of hiding behind anonymity to write malicious comments still persists, we participated with the belief that small efforts can gather into great strength.” This is part of practicing ESG management to foster a positive and responsible corporate culture.
Min Byung-chul, Chung-Ang University distinguished professor and chairman of the Sunple Foundation, said, “When defaming others, one unknowingly feels a sense of self-satisfaction like pleasure,” and “However, I often thought, ‘Shouldn’t praise, which is more important, also be rewarded?’”
The app’s development began about three years ago when an executive from a major corporation confided these concerns to Professor Min. The executive said, “Gossip about colleagues and superiors circulating in an online community accessible only to company members is leading to further ostracism.” Professor Min began developing the app following this. Currently, in addition to Lotte Hotel, PharmaResearch and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry are also preparing for the app’s official introduction.
The latest version of the app has added a corporate-exclusive ‘private channel’ feature. It is a closed small-scale channel where only specific members within the same company can gather for focused conversations. Additionally, administrators now have various operational authorities, including establishing community guidelines and reviewing content. Professor Min explained, “This is a device that aids in constructive and respectful communication, which is the core goal of ChatKind.”
ChatKind is also spreading to school settings. Kwangwoon AI High School and Osan High School, which piloted the app last year, have decided to officially introduce it this year after observing meaningful changes, such as students voluntarily purifying their language. When students write praises about peers or teachers, it is scored and converted into accumulated community service hours. Han Gyu-cheon, a teacher at Osan High School, said, “Initially, there was some resistance from the students just to install the app,” but “Soon, an educational effect emerged where the students became aware of and purified their own language use.”
Meanwhile, Professor Min is a ‘first-generation national English teacher’ who gained fame in the 1980s for teaching practical English on morning broadcasts. He established the Sunple Movement Headquarters in 2007 and has been leading the Sunple movement for the 19th year.