Weverse: What is it, can I join from the PH, and more questions about the HYBE platform

With SB19 and BINI joining Weverse, the platform closely associated with K-pop has piqued the curiosity of more and more Filipinos.

The two P-pop groups are first Filipino artists on the platform — a major feat for OPM as it means that the artists are able to reach a wider, more international audience.

The platform, which allows artists to form close relationships with their fans, is actually available in the Philippines for free. It's not intimidating to use, and allows users to get the updates straight from their favorites.

Here’s all you need to know about Weverse.

What is Weverse?

Weverse is a mobile app and web platform created by the South Korean company HYBE Corporation.

Famously associated with K-pop kings BTS, HYBE is an entertainment company that owns the record labels BigHit Entertainment, Pledis Entertainment, BeLift, and ADOR, which manage artists such as BTS, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, and Enhypen.

It is a platform where artists can communicate with fans through livestreams, stories, and posts. Fans can also create their own posts and interact with fellow fans.

Merchandise, content subscriptions, and memberships are also available for purchase on Weverse.

It is a different platform from V Live, another South Korean livestreaming platform by Naver, in that V Live transferred to Weverse in 2022 and officially shut down that same year.

What it offers

Weverse has both free and paid content.

Users can watch livestreams of their favorite artists, leave comments on the artist’s posts, and even download their photos for free. Fans are also the first to know about concerts, albums, and other important announcements, as artists post them on Weverse.

But that's not all. Weverse is also home to concept photos and teaser trailers, as well.

You can also rewatch livestreams with subtitles soon after the stream ends, which is available to everybody for free.

Fans can pay for the memberships of their favorite artists, which lasts for a year.

Memberships have several perks like member-exclusive merchandise and content, as well as presale codes for buying concert tickets. These can also be paid for with debit and credit cards, as well as e-wallets like GCash. Memberships are priced at P1,100 to P1,300 depending on the artist.

Weverse Concerts also streams concerts to fans, some are free while others are paid content. Some artists who have streamed concerts on the platform are BTS, Jin, and Tomorrow X Together.

Weverse Shop is a platform where artists sell original merchandise and where users add to cart and part for concert streaming services.

Meanwhile, Weverse Albums is a streaming service where fans enter codes from their physical albums, and then listen to them on their devices. Only those with a physical album can access the digital version for free.

Artists on Weverse

Tomorrow X Together was the first artist to be part of Weverse back in June 2019. They were joined by labelmates BTS a month later.  

Other HYBE artists like Seventeen, Enhypen, Le Sserafim, Cortis, BoyNextDoor, Katseye, and GFriend are also on the platform.

But Weverse is not limited to HYBE artists. Acts from YG Entertainment like Blackpink, Winner, and Treasure are also part of the platform.

Other K-Pop artists include Shinee, AHOF, STAYC, Red Velvet, Girls Generation, Super Junior, 10CM, EXO, Zico, and many more.

Ariana Grande, Gracie Abrams, Lauv, Max, Jeremy Zucker, and more are also on the platform, and most recently, P-Pop groups SB19 and BINI became the first Filipino artists to get on Weverse.

BINI just had its first livestream on Tuesday, while SB19 is scheduled to make its debut on Thursday March 19.

How to use Weverse

Download the Weverse app on your phone or tablet through the Apple App Store or Google Play on Android.

Register for an account and select the artist communities you want to join.

Turn on notifications to never miss an update from your favorite artists. You will be notified when the artist goes live, when a concert is coming up, or when concept photos are posted, among others.

After joining a community, you will see various tabs: Highlight or the home page; Fan or fan posts; Artist or artist’s posts; Fan Letter or a place where fans can send customized, decorated letters to the artists; Media or the place for trailers, concept photos, and more; Live or livestreams; Party or listening parties; Notice or announcements; and Shop.

Now, enjoy! — LA, GMA Integrated News