From SM Trainee to Crypto King: How One Korean Streamer Built a Broadcasting Empire Through Bitcoin Content
When you think of AfreecaTV streamers who've completely transformed their content and financial status over the years, cocoa898 stands out as one of the most fascinating cases. Starting his broadcasting journey back in December 2014, this 29-year-old content creator has evolved from a struggling broadcaster doing "visible radio" shows to becoming one of the platform's most financially successful personalities. What makes his story particularly interesting is how dramatically his content and circumstances have changed over the past decade.
**From Entertainment Dreams to Streaming Reality**
Before diving into the streaming world, cocoa898 actually had aspirations in the traditional entertainment industry as a trainee under SM Entertainment. Standing at 176cm and weighing around 61kg, he graduated from Hanlim Arts High School's Entertainment Department, which explains his natural on-camera presence. When those entertainment dreams didn't pan out, he pivoted to internet broadcasting, initially focusing on outdoor streams and radio-style content that showcased his conversational skills and charismatic personality.
**The Cryptocurrency Transformation**
The real turning point came when he transitioned into cryptocurrency and Bitcoin-related content. While his early broadcasting days were marked by financial struggles, his move into crypto referral programs and trading content has reportedly made him extraordinarily wealthy. However, there's an interesting disconnect here - despite his financial success, industry observers note that his actual trading skills are quite average, similar to regular retail traders rather than professional-level expertise. His wealth appears to stem primarily from referral commissions and fees from his audience's trading activities rather than his own market predictions.
**Building a Dedicated Following**
What sets cocoa898 apart is his ability to package complex financial topics in an accessible way for his audience. His natural charisma and polished presentation style, honed during his entertainment industry days, help him connect with both cryptocurrency newcomers and experienced traders. Recent analytics show he maintains an average of 284 viewers per stream, with over 627 hours of content in just the past month. His total accumulated viewership has reached over 38 million, demonstrating remarkable staying power in the competitive streaming landscape.
**Current Broadcasting Empire**
Today, cocoa898 operates across multiple platforms including AfreecaTV (now SOOP), YouTube, and Twitch, maximizing his reach and revenue streams. Based in Busan's Gamjeon-dong area, he's built what essentially amounts to a broadcasting empire around financial content and audience engagement. His success story reflects broader trends in Korean streaming culture, where creators can leverage their personalities and expertise into substantial business ventures. While some question the sustainability of referral-based income models, there's no denying that cocoa898 has successfully navigated the evolving landscape of content creation and audience monetization.