CJ Olive Networks launches CJ ONE Global membership for foreign visitors

CJ Olive Networks is launching a membership service called CJ ONE Global, allowing foreign visitors to South Korea to sign up and earn rewards without a local phone number or national ID.

The company announced the service Thursday, targeting the growing number of international tourists visiting the country amid rising global interest in K-lifestyle — spanning dining, shopping and beyond.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, about 12.8 million foreign tourists visited South Korea from January through July this year, up 21.3 percent from the same period a year earlier.

CJ ONE Global is designed to simplify enrollment for foreign customers. Users can register with email verification alone, and a mobile barcode is issued immediately through the CJ ONE app upon sign-up.

The barcode can be used to earn or redeem points at affiliated stores nationwide. New members also receive sign-up and birthday perks. The service uses globally recognized authentication standards, including OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.1, to manage member verification and access.

The program also offers dedicated benefits tailored to popular tourist routes. Participating venues include N Seoul Tower and other attractions, as well as Shinsegae Duty Free, Tous les Jours, Mega MGC Coffee, CU, E-mart 24 and Gourmet Bridge at Incheon Airport.

Select partner channels will operate exclusive "hidden pages" for global members, distributing special coupons available only to that group.

CJ ONE Global is accessible by switching to global mode in version 5.0 or later of the CJ ONE app. The service currently supports English and Japanese, with plans to expand to additional languages and add features tailored to global members.

CJ Olive Networks said it aims to build a foreign member base through the service and encourage cross-use among partner brands. The company plans to refine personalized services using data on how global members engage with its brand partners, while also working to raise the international profile of those domestic partners.

"CJ ONE Global is a starting point for connecting global customers and diverse partner brands through a single membership," said Lim A-jin, head of CJ ONE. "We will continue to offer more differentiated benefits and services for global members, contributing to the worldwide spread of K-lifestyle and the creation of new business opportunities."

Meanwhile, CJ ONE has been broadening its user base through expanded member benefits and new brand partnerships. A promotional campaign called "Wonder Series," which ran from July, brought in about 124,000 new members over roughly two months. The number of members who earned or redeemed points at least once at a partner outlet in August also rose 63 percent compared with the same month last year.