[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s largest couples-only app Between has recently started a marketing scheme with local “coin noraebang” franchise RockQ, according the messenger firm on Sept. 13.

Coin noraebang here is a type of karaoke bar where only one person or two can sing in a small singing room, instead of enjoying with a group of people in a spacious parlor. It is popular among teenagers and those in their 20s since it is cheaper -- less than 1,200 won (US$1) per song.

In partnership with RockQ, the mobile messenger app company has turned a karaoke booth at the franchise’s Hongdae Yonnam branch in Seoul into a place where people can sing romantic songs for their partners. The karaoke for couples will start operations by the month-end.

The firms also plan to offer customers a chance to win Starbucks coupons and free vouchers every week.

The partnership is the first official marketing campaign of Between after VCNC, original operator of the mobile messenger app, was acquired by car-sharing company Socar in July.

The size of the acquisition deal was not revealed at the time, but Socar is said to have spent some 10 billion won to take over the messenger company, which has around 1 million monthly active users.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)