[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] Naver (NAVER(035420)) is expanding its online-focused Naver Plus membership experience into offline events that combine live performances, brand experiences, and payment and authentication technologies. Starting with “NEP Festa” in Seongsu-dong, the company plans to broaden its membership ecosystem—bridging online and offline—to eventually include “Naver Arena.”

Naver announced that it will host the offline festival “NEPFESTA” at Anderson C Seongsu in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, from the 30th through the 1st of next month.

NEPFESTA is an event that combines artist performances, brand experiences, and limited-edition merchandise with Naver’s access authentication, payment, and NFT technologies.

During the pre-sale for ENPLUS members who made purchases of 200,000 won or more via Npay, all 3,000 tickets sold out in just 40 minutes.

Offline Experiences with Netflix and Knock It

An experiential space showcasing the partnership between Naver and Netflix will be set up on-site. The event will feature a “History Zone” highlighting the two companies’ campaign activities over the past two years, as well as a photo zone with popular characters, and will offer limited-edition souvenirs to members who use Netflix through ENPLUS Membership.

“KNOKIT,” the contemporary fashion service launched by Naver last April, will also debut its first offline showroom. Visitors can try on new items from brands featured on KNOKIT at the venue and then proceed to purchase them online.

In addition to “Naver Only” products—developed jointly by Naver and partner brands from the planning stage—the event will showcase products and merchandise from over 50 brands across categories such as food, beauty, and home goods, all in one place.

Enter with Your Face and Collect NFTs

Naver’s payment and authentication technologies will also be applied throughout the event. Visitors can enter using Npay’s facial recognition access and authentication service, “Facesign,” without presenting a separate ticket or other form of identification.

Each experience booth will also host a “stamp tour” where visitors can collect NFTs (non-fungible tokens) via the “Npay Wallet.” Users who collect NFTs will receive prizes such as Npay points.

Promotions linked to the Seongsu commercial district outside the event venue will also be held. Naver will operate the “Matdongyeo Map,” which introduces popular restaurants in the Seongsu area, until the 11th of next month. Users can earn points by using Naver Reservations and reviews at participating restaurants, and at Npay Connect partner stores, they can earn up to an additional 20% in points when paying after making a reservation.

From Seongsu to Naver Arena

Naver views Npay Festa not as a one-time event but as an experiment to expand the membership program’s offline touchpoints.

Shim Jun-yong, Naver’s Brand Experience Leader, stated, “Npay Festa is a new initiative to extend our online-centric membership experience into the offline world,” adding, “Going forward, we will provide membership benefits and experiences that bridge the online and offline worlds in various spaces, including Naver Arena.”

Naver previously signed a naming rights and strategic partnership agreement with Inspire Resort on the 26th. Starting with “Naver × Hyundai Card The Six” this coming December, the company plans to host various offline events—including concerts and sports—at Naver Arena.