Game like 'Pokemon Go' once existed in Korea

KT promotes “Olleh Catch Catch.” / Korea Times

By Park Jae-hyuk

Amid the worldwide popularity of recently released augmented-reality game “Pokemon Go,” Korean netizens have found that a similar game existed in Korea a few years ago.

KT, one of Korea’s three largest mobile carriers, released an augmented-reality game named “Olleh Catch Catch” in 2011.

Just like “Pokemon Go”, gamers could catch various monsters, including Ollehmon, Richmon and Muggermon, by observing specific sites through their smartphone cameras and GPS.

Gamers could earn virtual money, or “candy,” by catching the monsters. The company also offered prizes such as pizza vouchers.

Gamers could catch rarer “special” monsters if they were at Wi-Fi zones KT provided.

The game did not gain much popularity and KT no longer provides the service.