PyeongChang 2018 Mascots Come to Life in Emojis

(ATR) The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic mascots, "Soohorang" the white tiger and "Bandabi" the black bear, will now be now be available as emoticon characters in the messaging application Kakao Talk.

This instant messaging app allows Android, iPhone and Windows Phone users to send and receive messages for free and is used by nearly 97% of all cellphone users in Korea. These Soohorang and Bandabi emoticons will be available for free to the first one hundred thousand downloaders of Kakao Talk in Korea.

Bandabi was chosen as the mascot for the Paralympic Games and represents courage and strong will power. Soohorang was chosen as the Olympic mascot and is considered a trustworthy friend that protects the athletes, participants and spectators in the Games.

These emoticonized mascots were designed to show a wide variety of emotions and are intended to be used as a fun communication tool for users. Designers feel that users will be able to come closer to these characters throughout the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and use them to interact on a daily basis.

Launching ceremonies will take place on July 20 to celebrate the mascot's debut and both Bandabi and Soohorang will make an international introduction at the PyeongChang 2018 House during the Rio Games in August and September.

Written by Victoria Croft

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