Who is Ryan?
Who is Ryan?… He’s someone you are not ready for, a lion to stand out from the rest. He is surely unique in all his glory.
Ryan might look like a teddy bear, but he’s actually a male lion without a mane or even a tail; both are sources of great insecurity. He was born to be king of a faraway island but ran away in search of more freedom. While he was running, his tail got shorter so he would be harder to catch.
Ryan was introduced to Kakao Friends in Korea around late 2015 and mid-2016, he almost immediately became a favorite amongst many because of his cute face and stern expression.
Ryan’s Backstory
RYAN, the newest member of the Kakao Friends, is a male lion born without a mane. This broad and burly lion has the heart of a lamb, which is a part of why the Kakao Friends quickly adopted him as their loyal leader. Ryan was prepared to ascend to the throne as the ruler of Doong Doong Island, but he decided island royalty wasn’t for him. The other Kakao Friends claim they would be lost without Ryan’s wisdom and guidance.
Bringing in the big bucks
He was created to lead the other characters in 2016 and he’s now the most popular Kakao Friend by a wide margin. When Kakao Bank launched character debit cards in 2017, 53.4% of users chose Ryan’s card. Because he’s so popular, he’s nicknamed Ryan Jeon-mu (or managing director).
The Lovable Lion
He is a strong, independent male lion. At first glance, he looks like a bear, but he is actually a maneless lion. Ryan was a successor to the throne of Dung Dung Island, but he decided royalty was not for him. He currently is the advisor to the Kakao Friends where he leads them with his wisdom and guidance.
Ryan shows quite a range of emotions that show off his persona, which are quite wide and unique! With attitudes ranging from pride, compassion, playfulness, sadness to nervousness, he is an ever-evolving character.
Ryan-branded Merchandise
There have been thousands of Ryan branded merchandise that have been sold throughout South Korea. From home appliances that range from bathing and cooking to vanity and makeup accessories, Ryan has played a big role in branding and collaboration with companies.
Ryan’s many faces and themes
Here are some of the themes that Ryan from kakao Friends has been featured in throughout the years since his debut in 2016:
- Gentleman Ryan
- COVERNAT
- Friends Garden
- Hotel de Ryan
- Jeju Ryan
- Battleground
- Flying Ryan
- Friends Racing
Ryan’s Emotions in Emojis
