[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) can even take over the tasks of finding information and organizing text, content creators unanimously agree that the value of “firsthand experience” has actually increased. They argue that while AI can organize information from a menu or summarize game details, it cannot replicate the taste of food they’ve actually eaten, the inconveniences they’ve experienced while playing a game, or the emotions that arose during those experiences.

On the 28th, “Kuchito’s Retro Game Life” and “Mandy’s Food Blog”—selected as Naver’s (NAVER(035420)) August “Special Mates”—stressed in a written interview that while they use AI as a creative tool, what ultimately sets creators apart are the experiences and perspectives unique to humans. Currently, the number of citations in Naver AI Briefing stands at 6.42 million for Kuchito and 15.18 million for Mandy.

“Rather than leaving writing to AI, it should be combined with human experience”

In the age of AI, how are content creators handling AI? Kuchito, who creates retro gaming content, uses AI for specific tasks such as enhancing expressiveness or generating images. However, he draws a line at allowing AI to take over the entire content creation process. “While I view the use of AI itself positively,” Kuchito said, “I do not agree with relying on it entirely to churn out articles without review.”

What he emphasizes is the combination of information provided by AI and a person’s actual lived experience. He explains that even when covering the same game, the content readers want to see requires the author’s firsthand experience—such as the frustrations felt while playing or their own unique tips and tricks.

Kuchito said, “People tend to be interested in things that others have actually experienced and found inconvenient,” adding, “I believe the proper use of AI involves fusing the unique perspectives that only AI can offer—which humans cannot see—with actual user reviews to effectively resolve real pain points.”

Mandi, a food content creator, also acknowledged that AI is a tool that boosts the efficiency of solo creators. She explained that it can be used to fill in gaps that might be overlooked during the research process and to structure content.

However, Mandi noted, “While AI can help with efficient research and structuring, I strive to infuse the stories I tell with my genuine passion,” adding, “I believe my task as a creator is to produce irreplaceable content by layering my own unique perspective and experiences onto it.”

AI Can Read a Menu, but ‘Taste and Mood’ Must Be Experienced Firsthand

Their views on the role of creators in the AI era were similar. They emphasized that it is becoming more important for someone to convey information based on firsthand experience rather than simply relaying facts.

Using food content as an example, Mandi noted that even if AI perfectly organizes product information or menu details, it’s difficult for it to recreate the taste and mood one feels when actually eating the food. “My role has become simpler and clearer,” she said, adding, “It’s about conveying a more vivid experience to readers to evoke empathy.”

Even when introducing a single new product at a convenience store, the process itself becomes content. From checking inventory on an app and visiting the store in person, to the reaction upon taking a bite, and close-up photos of the food’s cross-section—this is information that can only be obtained through a person’s direct involvement.

Mandi plans to continue producing content in this style. He emphasized, “I believe the most important role of a creator is to build trust—so that people feel, ‘I can trust this person’s recommendation and go ahead and try it’—through 100% authentic, firsthand reviews and diverse perspectives.”

Kuchito took this a step further, arguing that in the AI era, a creator’s personal brand is crucial. “I believe we must solidify the brand of ‘me’—something AI cannot replace,” he said. “I think we can become distinctive Naver Blog creators in the AI era by turning our blogs into places where people search for ‘me’ directly, rather than just looking for information.”

“Originality Over Speed”…The Confidence Gained from Being Selected as a Mate

As AI accelerates the pace of content creation, concerns about the traditional hands-on approach to content creation have deepened. Mandi admitted that she, too, once reflected on her own methods. With the increasing number of cases where AI is used to produce content quickly, she began to question whether her approach—visiting stores in person to purchase products, taking photos, and meticulously crafting every detail, down to the thumbnails and individual sentences—remained competitive.

Mandi explained, “Going to stores in person to buy and photograph products, and painstakingly crafting every detail—from thumbnails to a single line of text—is definitely not something I do just because I have extra time. It’s because I’m ‘genuinely committed’ to my content,” though she also confessed, “I did waver at times, wondering, ‘Does putting in the legwork with such sincerity really make a difference?’”

Being selected as a Naver Mate served as a kind of answer to these concerns. She said, “When I heard the news about being selected as a Mate, I regained my pride in knowing that ‘my approach was right,’ and I became convinced that a creator’s originality—built through firsthand experience—ultimately holds deeper value than shortcuts or speed.”

Kuchito also noted that the Mate program served as motivation for sustained content creation. He explained that even when consistently creating content, it’s difficult to be certain you’re heading in the right direction, and without clear rewards, one can fall into what’s known as “blog fatigue” (a combination of “blog” and “fatigue”). He noted that the platform’s official recognition and rewards provided the impetus to overcome this. Kuchito said, “Being selected as a Naver Mate was motivating, and I realized that being a blogger can now be a legitimate profession.”

Meanwhile, Naver Mate is a program that discovers and supports creators active on platforms such as cafes and blogs who produce content based on their own experiences and expertise. Each month, it selects and introduces a “Special Mate” from among its active members and provides a monthly grant of 10 million won to support their creative activities. As AI has lowered the barrier to content creation, the program aims to strengthen the content ecosystem by nurturing creators with firsthand experience and unique perspectives.