An interview celebrating the 100th session of KLT, KRAFTON’s flagship communication program
Let’s dive into the special 100th session. The session started with a short video reflecting on the past, making it even more special. What message were you trying to convey through the video?
(Hyun-joo) Our main aim was to review the broader history of KLT, with a focus on interviews featuring KRAFTON members.
(Jin-soo) Watching the old episodes again through the video was quite entertaining for me, too. We crafted the video so that newcomers could see how KLT used to be conducted while also offering those who’ve been here a nostalgic look back at how things used to be.
(Soo-chun) We wanted to highlight the values that KRAFTON has consistently prioritized from a communication perspective. Another aim was to show how long we’ve been practicing these values. The company’s extensive communication efforts may not resonate much with those who have recently joined. However, by showcasing through the video that we’ve been telling the same story for the past eight years since the beginning of KLT, we hoped to convey how committed KRAFTON is to communication. We wanted to strengthen trust by showcasing our continued commitment to transparent communication with KRAFTON members.
Kang-seok Kim and Jae-yeon Lim appeared as special guests in the 100th session. Could you briefly introduce them and tell us what your reason was for inviting them?
(Hyun-joo) The theme for the 100th session was “The path KLT has traveled and will continue to walk.” To reflect on the journey of KLT, we invited those who played crucial roles in bringing KLT to where it is today. Jae-yeon Lim hosted sessions 1 to 75, and Kang-seok Kim played a pivotal role in launching the first session. The members who were working at that time genuinely welcomed the two guests, and as the person in charge, I felt very excited.
* Kang-seok Kim: Former CEO of Bluehole Studio and a founding member of the formerly known Bluehole.
* Jae-yeon Lim: Team leader of the KRAFTON People Team, who hosted KLT sessions 1 to 75.
Creating KLT with KRAFTON members
In celebration of the 100th session, you conducted a survey to gather opinions from members. Was there any feedback that left a lasting impression?
(Hyun-joo) We anticipated more feedback directed at the management and operations department. But, to our surprise, many messages suggested that “we should put in more effort to stay engaged.” It was gratifying to see members actively participating in shaping KRAFTON’s culture of communication.
You meticulously prepared cakes, snacks, and merchandise (mugs, blankets) for the 100th session. How do you feel now that the 100th session is over?
(Hyun-joo) In celebration of the 100th session, we created special merchandise that we plan to distribute not only within our domestic offices but also to our global team members. Currently, we are in the process of coordinating schedules and details with representatives at our overseas branches. So, even though the session has officially ended, it kind of feels like it hasn’t really wrapped up for me. (Laughs)
If you were to pick any keywords for KLT, what would they be? Persistence, excitement, the guiding principle of KRAFTON games, and transparency!
If you were to pick a keyword for KLT as a commemoration for the 100th session, what would it be?
(Jin-soo) Persistence. We’ve been doing it every month without missing a beat. From an operational perspective, there were times when we wished for a one-month break. (Laughs) But just by doing it every month, we reached the 100th session without even realizing it.
* From the first session until now, there was only a one-month delay due to COVID-19, but no sessions were ever missed.
(Yeon-sik) Excitement. The pressure at the KLT set turns into excitement. In the 100th session, when the chairman highlighted KRAFTON’s competitiveness and potential for more growth, it struck me deeply. Seeing how the chairman consistently talked about this vision in KLT and realizing how much of what he envisioned has actually happened really affected me. Watching those statements from earlier videos brought up some strong emotions.
(Hyun-joo) The guiding principle of KRAFTON. KLT serves as a guide for our company’s flow and direction, allowing members to understand where KRAFTON is heading.
(Soo-chun) Transparency. I believe transparency is the most crucial and fundamental value of KLT. Both the management and members seem to resonate strongly with this point. KRAFTON members showed more support for the importance and values of KLT than we initially anticipated.
What exactly does transparency mean in this context?
(Soo-chun) Although there isn’t a universally accepted definition within KRAFTON, it probably implies “consistency between external presentations and internal actions.” There’s a need for alignment between words and actions. An alignment between appearance and reality. So, I believe the value of transparent communication lies in the confidence that what is expressed verbally can be relied upon.
(Hyun-joo) KLT started with the idea that a stronger company emerges when both the management and members are on the same wavelength. It also promotes transparency, making sure there’s no information gap between the two.
(Soo-chun) To add to that, I’d like to describe it as a gap in understanding. Sharing only the results without the process and presenting simple facts without context can create a gap in understanding. So, I think it’s essential to share the background, process, and context of the decision-making to ensure a similar level of understanding when it comes to solving problems and communicating together.
KRAFTON, a place where people genuinely care about communication, from archiving to face-to-face communication
By now, it seems evident that KLT represents KRAFTON’s culture, emphasizing values like “transparency” and “persistence” through KLT. Apart from these, is there anything else you consider a distinctive culture that represents KRAFTON?
(Soo-chun) As repeatedly mentioned before, KRAFTON is a company that doesn’t just prioritize sincerity in communication but almost obsesses over it. I think it’s the most representative culture that hasn’t changed since KRAFTON’s founding. KLT, the Communication Committee, and the process of listening to members’ feedback are unique cultures that are hard to find in other companies. During the 100th KLT interview, one member expressed, “It’s a company where whatever you say has no repercussions,” and this resonates with me. Usually, expressing opinions freely in a workplace can be a bit tricky, but at KRAFTON, it’s just part of the natural and everyday culture.
(Jin-soo) It’s a culture of documentation (archiving). We place great importance on archiving because we believe that it is a big part of communication. For the members who are curious about the thoughts of the management, if you search through the archived KLT Q&A, you can find the answers. So, although archiving might not seem immediately helpful, we believe it will be valuable someday!
Have there been cases where proactive communication through KLT has led to actual changes?
(Jin-soo) When we presented on deep learning, the adoption rate of generative AI applications like ChatGPT in the company was around 3% prior to the KLT session. Within three months, it skyrocketed to 97%. While there was broad company support and active promotion through different communication channels, we attribute a significant part of this success to KLT.
Now I have one last question. What changes do you anticipate for KLT in the future? Or what direction would you like it to take?
(Yeon-sik) KLT, a popular stage for presenters. I envision KLT evolving into a platform where numerous studios, both at home and abroad, want to participate. The fact that it’s catching the attention from different corners indicates we’re making positive progress in various projects. I hope this extends beyond KLT and envelops all of KRAFTON.
(Soo-chun) KLT with more replays. With the company expanding and becoming more intricate, understanding the entire narrative at once has become quite a challenge. Certain things only become clear after watching and contemplating multiple times. That’s why we work hard to keep records. The culture of real-time, honest conversations has firmly taken root. Looking ahead, I hope we can have deeper conversations by revisiting and contemplating the dialogues we’ve already had.
(Hyun-joo) Increased on-site participation. As live broadcasts gain prominence, there’s a slightly less casual atmosphere than before. I wish to bring more individuals into the live setting, capturing both the laid-back vibe and the convenience of live broadcasting.
(Jin-soo) If I start talking about it, I’ll end up having to plan it myself, so as the operations manager, I’ll spare you my predictions. (Laughs) Thinking about the 200th session, we might witness significant technological leaps. Maybe AI will take the stage for presentations, and we could have participants from around the world join in a virtual space. I hope for KLT to feature presentations in a gaming style and introduce innovative technologies.
Interested in PART 1? (Link)