Four Kakao characters, four pace levels set the beat

A promotional image for Kakao Entertainment's Melon music platform event tied to Kakao Friends Run 2026 [Kakao Entertainment]
A promotional image for Kakao Entertainment's Melon music platform event tied to Kakao Friends Run 2026 [Kakao Entertainment]

Kakao Entertainment's music platform Melon is running an event that pairs pace-based playlist recommendations with AI coaching for runners across the country.

Melon said Thursday it will offer curated music playlists and running coaching ahead of Kakao Friends Run 2026, scheduled for Oct. 10.

Users can obtain a "Kakao Friends Run Coaching Card" through ChatGPT for Kakao, built into KakaoTalk, to receive personalized running coaching. They can also listen to Melon playlists matched to their running level.

The Melon playlists are organized around four Kakao Friends characters, each corresponding to a different pace level — beginner running (Bok-shimi), 5K (Apeach), 10K (Chunsik) and performance running (Ryan). Each playlist reflects the BPM and running goals appropriate for that level, with roughly 20 songs per playlist selected from tracks recommended by runners nationwide during an earlier event, Melon said.

The event runs through Oct. 1. Participants can enter by choosing their running level from the four options, liking and listening to the corresponding playlist, and leaving a comment on Melon Magazine. Prizes include AirPods Pro 3, Oakley eyewear, an Alexjono cap and a Fullio massage device.

Melon held a first-round event from Aug. 25 to Sept. 7, collecting song recommendations suited to various running situations alongside Kakao Friends characters. All playlists in the current second-round event were curated by Melon using the songs submitted by users in that first round.

"We hope runners will use the playlists — built from user-recommended tracks — to find music and coaching that match their own pace," a Melon official said.


chami@heraldcorp.com