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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Kim.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always believed that technology should bring people closer together — not just make life easier. That belief became the foundation for SodaGift, a global gifting platform that allows people to send local, meaningful gifts across borders instantly.
The idea came from a simple frustration: sending a thoughtful gift to someone abroad was surprisingly difficult. From currency barriers to delivery logistics, the process felt outdated and complicated. I wanted to make global gifting as seamless as sending a message.
Today, SodaGift connects over 350,000 users, enabling gifts to be sent to recipients in more than 15 countries. We’ve built partnerships with major brands and local merchants across Asia and North America to make gifting effortless and personal, wherever people are.
Based in Los Angeles now, my focus is on expanding SodaGift’s reach and connecting businesses and communities across regions. What started as a small idea about connection has grown into a platform that helps people and companies celebrate relationships globally.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but every milestone reminds me why I started — to make giving simple, emotional, and truly borderless.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — the road has been full of challenges, lessons, and moments that shaped who I am as a founder.
Before SodaGift, our team actually started with a different idea — a global remittance service designed to make international money transfers faster and simpler. But the market turned out to be extremely competitive and heavily regulated, and we soon realized it wasn’t sustainable for a small startup at that stage. It was a tough realization, but it led us to pivot.
That pivot gave birth to SodaGift — a platform focused on emotional connection rather than financial transactions. Instead of sending money, people could now send gifts instantly across borders, in local form and currency, without the hassle.
Community Highlights: Meet Jake Kim of SodaGIft
You’re far away. The gift isn’t.
At SodaGift, we’ve always believed that distance should never stop kindness. We help people send love across borders, but this time, we became the sender ourselves.
Together with Quabble, a mental wellness platform created and operated by
museLIVE Inc. , we funded more than 1,000 full scholarships for individuals in need of mental health support. The results speak for themselves: • 80% had previously faced mental health challenges • 98.5% found Quabble helpful for their well-being • 84.7% reported improved mental health • 227+ heartfelt thank-you letters were sent to SodaGift from people we’ve never met, in English, Korean, and Japanese • 92.8% now see SodaGift as a brand that truly cares Through this initiative, we didn’t just support wellness. We were able to send care, empathy, and hope to people far away who needed it most. Reading these letters from students who received the scholarship truly warmed my heart. It made me realize once again how meaningful it is that SodaGift could directly reach and support people who needed help. I felt proud — and deeply grateful — that our work could make someone’s day a little lighter, even from afar. "Knowing that a random stranger cares about my mental health makes me feel inspired and motivated to care for it myself. Thank you so much for your generosity. I hope one day I can do the same for others. 🥹" "Thank you for your sponsorship. It made me cry. I have been really down and struggling and feeling unheard. Thank you for hearing and giving me good news." "Thank you so much for the sponsor! I am a broke college student in desperate need of an outlet for mental health-related needs. Without you, I wouldn’t be on this app and wouldn’t be in such a good head space. Thanks again — it truly makes a difference. " "奨学金をありがとう御座います。アプリを有意義に使いたいとおもいます。" (Thank you for the scholarship. I will make meaningful use of the app.) "SodaGift사에 진심으로 감사인사를 전하고 싶습니다. 학교 다니는 학생이라 아직 주머니가 넉넉치 않은데, 이렇게 좋은 일을 해주셔서 마음을 건강하게 가꿀 수 있게 되었습니다. 감사드립니다. 이번 장학기회를 통해 SodaGift를 알게되었는데, 앞으로 해외에 기프티콘을 선물할 일이 생기면 기업의 서비스를 이용하고 싶습니다 " (I sincerely want to thank SodaGift. As a student without much money, I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to care for my mental health. Through this scholarship, I came to know SodaGift — and in the future, when I send gifts abroad, I’d love to use your service )
#sodagift #quabble #csr #mentalhealth #socialimpact #globalgifting #brandpurpose #yourefarawaythegiftisnt #sendheartsacrosstheworld #techforgood #muselive | Jake Kim
You’re far away. The gift isn’t. At SodaGift, we’ve always believed that distance should never stop kindness. We help people send love across borders, but this time, we became the sender ourselves. Together with Quabble, a mental wellness platform created and operated by museLIVE Inc., we funded more than 1,000 full scholarships for individuals in need of mental health support. The results speak for themselves: • 80% had previously faced mental health challenges • 98.5% found Quabble helpful for their well-being • 84.7% reported improved mental health • 227+ heartfelt thank-you letters were sent to SodaGift from people we’ve never met, in English, Korean, and Japanese • 92.8% now see SodaGift as a brand that truly cares Through this initiative, we didn’t just support wellness. We were able to send care, empathy, and hope to people far away who needed it most. Reading these letters from students who received the scholarship truly warmed my heart. It made me realize once again how meaningful it is that SodaGift could directly reach and support people who needed help. I felt proud — and deeply grateful — that our work could make someone’s day a little lighter, even from afar. "Knowing that a random stranger cares about my mental health makes me feel inspired and motivated to care for it myself. Thank you so much for your generosity. I hope one day I can do the same for others. 🥹❤" "Thank you for your sponsorship. It made me cry. I have been really down and struggling and feeling unheard. Thank you for hearing and giving me good news." "Thank you so much for the sponsor! I am a broke college student in desperate need of an outlet for mental health-related needs. Without you, I wouldn’t be on this app and wouldn’t be in such a good head space. Thanks again — it truly makes a difference. 💟" "奨学金をありがとう御座います。アプリを有意義に使いたいとおもいます。" (Thank you for the scholarship. I will make meaningful use of the app.) "SodaGift사에 진심으로 감사인사를 전하고 싶습니다. 학교 다니는 학생이라 아직 주머니가 넉넉치 않은데, 이렇게 좋은 일을 해주셔서 마음을 건강하게 가꿀 수 있게 되었습니다. 감사드립니다. 이번 장학기회를 통해 SodaGift를 알게되었는데, 앞으로 해외에 기프티콘을 선물할 일이 생기면 기업의 서비스를 이용하고 싶습니다 ☺" (I sincerely want to thank SodaGift. As a student without much money, I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to care for my mental health. Through this scholarship, I came to know SodaGift — and in the future, when I send gifts abroad, I’d love to use your service ☺) #SodaGift #Quabble #CSR #MentalHealth #SocialImpact #GlobalGifting #BrandPurpose #YoureFarAwayTheGiftIsnt #SendHeartsAcrossTheWorld #TechForGood #museLive
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jaehoonjakekim_sodagift-quabble-csr-activity-7394590274267779072-aNN0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAgjmxMBg5bDUG1yFfcLPdmbOHa6F7hNJA0
Sodagift&Quabble : When Care Travels Further Than Distance
Photo courtesy of SodaGift
Technology has altered the landscape of human communication. From instant messaging apps to video conferencing platforms, people’s ability to connect with others has defied geographical boundaries and time zones.
Technology has also changed the age-old tradition of gift-giving, ushering in the era of cross-border gifting. This has redefined how people express care and affection, allowing them to send tokens of love and appreciation across continents with just a few clicks.
Jake Kim, co-founder and CEO of Sodacrew Global Inc., saw the potential in cross-border gift-giving, changing his business from a remittance company to an international gift-giving service called SodaGift. Under the umbrella of Sodacrew Inc., SodaGift now serves over 300,000 users in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.
Kim, who has been in the gift-giving service for almost seven years now, shares his insights on how technology has changed the ability to give and receive gifts and what this shift means for relationships in an increasingly interconnected world.

Introducing a Greater Convenience

Gone are the days when gift-giving necessitated a trip to the mall or post office. With new technology, people can send thoughtful presents with their devices and from the comfort of their homes.
This capability to choose, purchase, and send a gift from anywhere in the world has removed the logistical barriers that once made gift-giving cumbersome. Using the SodaGift app, gift-givers can easily browse, select, and send gifts to their family and friends in eight countries within minutes.
“The beauty of digital gift-giving lies in its immediacy and accessibility,” Kim explains. “Whether you’re stuck in traffic or lounging on your couch, you can now send a meaningful gift to anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time. This level of convenience has transformed gift-giving from a planned activity to a spontaneous expression of care.”
This shift saves time and fundamentally changes how people think about gifting. Forgotten birthdays or last-minute holiday presents are no longer cause for panic. With platforms like SodaGift, users can instantly select, personalize, and send gifts, ensuring that no special moment goes unacknowledged.

Knows No Distance

One of the most beneficial advantages of technology in gift-giving is its ability to be unaffected by geographical boundaries. With technology, international gift-giving service has become a reality, allowing families separated by continents to feel connected and maintain relationships. This capability is critical in today’s globalized society, where many people live and work far from their home countries.
For example, through SodaGift, a grandmother in Seoul can send her granddaughter in New York a gift card to her favorite café. The emotional impact of this gesture reinforces the idea that love knows no boundaries. International students, expatriate workers, and dispersed families can now share in celebrations and milestones as if they were just around the corner.
The Future of Gifting: How Technology Changed the Game in Gift-Giving According to Jake Kim of Sodacrew Global Inc.
Sometimes, great things come from unexpected beginnings. This is the story of Sodacrew, a company that started gift-giving as an add-on to its remittance service product but, later unexpectedly blossomed into an independent business serving hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. What began as a side project became one of the most trusted cross-border gifting services.

SodaGift’s Beginnings

In 2015, Sodacrew’s founders—Jake Kim, Daniel Lee, and Richard Kim—tirelessly searched for the next big thing in business. They toyed with various business concepts but landed on SodaTransfer, a digital wallet service that facilitates international money transfers. Officially launched in 2016, SodaTransfer garnered around 16,000 users who appreciate its cheaper and more convenient money transfer service than traditional banks.
The entrepreneurs saw the success of SodaTransfer, but to make it more appealing, they added a unique perk—a complementary offering that allows users to send gifts alongside their remittances called SodaGift. Both services received positive feedback, yet SodaGift’s growth outstripped the original remittance platform. The three founders saw an opportunity and immense potential in the gifting industry.
Jake Kim, Sodacrew’s current chief executive officer (CEO), adds, “Things seem to fall into its right place at that time. While SodaTransfer struggled with stringent financial laws, SodaGift was booming, giving us, as businessmen, an opportunity to think through and pivot.”
Recognizing the relative lack of regulations in the gifting industry, the co-founders boldly decided to pivot away from the remittance business and entirely focus on SodaGift. Jake Kim adds, “Although we know our remittance platform will benefit those needing a cheap, reliable international money transfer service, we felt the pivot was necessary to give SodaGift the chance it deserved. Though it still was a risk, we believe that risk is what we needed at that time.”

Scaling New Heights

The transition proved to be a turning point for Sodacrew. Officially launched in January 2019, its service, SodaGift, quickly established itself as a seamless platform for sending gifts internationally. By December 2021, the service had garnered 100,000 users; by June 2022, that number had surged to 190,000.
SodaGift’s unique selling proposition lies in its ability to simplify international gifting. Unlike traditional gifting services that often involve lengthy processes and delays, SodaGift allows users to send gifts with just the recipient’s email address, mobile number, or social media handle.
Through its app, gift-givers can effortlessly browse, select, and send gifts to recipients in eight countries within minutes. They can choose from over 4,000 items from 400 brand partners, including 150 US-based brands, and pay through diverse payment options, including Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
Catering specifically to global consumers, SodaGift enables digital gift delivery via email, text message, or social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, or LINE. These are sent as links that the recipient can easily access.
SodaGift also facilitates sending physical items through local delivery options, even without knowing the recipient’s address. Unlike conventional delivery services that require the sender to have the recipient’s address beforehand, SodaGift streamlines this process via a URL link, which the sender can share with the recipient in any format they choose. The recipient can then enter their shipping address for delivery, ensuring a smooth and efficient gifting experience.
Business Spotlight: Sodacrew’s Journey From a Fintech Startup to Today’s Reliable Global Gifting Service
SodaGift is a reliable international gift-giving service that removes the traditional complexities of sending gifts abroad. No more navigating through perplexing postal codes, grappling with customs regulations, or enduring long delivery windows. This service simplifies the process and enriches the experience, ensuring that gifts convey the warmth and thoughtfulness they are meant to deliver.
What SodaGift Solves
Sending a gift across international borders is one of the most thoughtful ways to express care and maintain connections. It transcends the physical miles that separate friends, families, or colleagues. For those living abroad or separated from loved ones, these gifts bridge and reduce the emotional distance, making significant occasions feel shared and celebrated together.
However, the complexities of international logistics—from understanding various customs regulations to dealing with potential delays and additional costs—can turn what should be a simple act of kindness into a stressful and sometimes costly idea.
SodaGift believes gift-giving should be simple, regardless of location. With its SodaGift mobile app and website, anyone can send gifts to eight countries—the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines—and can choose a variety of gift packs and cards to send their loved ones on any occasion.
The SodaGift Edge
SodaGift streamlines the international gift-giving process. Using its app, gift-givers can easily browse, select, and send gifts to eight countries within minutes. Catering specifically to global consumers, SodaGift enables digital gift delivery. Whether via email, text message, or social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, or LINE, gifts are sent as links that the recipient can easily access.
For Sodacrew Global Inc.’s CEO, Jake Kim, this method eliminates the need for physical shipping addresses, bypassing the logistical complexities of international postage and customs delays. It also reduces shipping costs, making the use of SodaGift's digital gift cards more convenient and economical.
However, for those who still prefer traditional physical gifts, SodaGift also facilitates sending physical items through its local delivery options, even without knowing the recipient's address. Unlike conventional delivery services that require the sender to have the recipient’s address before sending, SodaGift takes this process differently.
[Business Insider] Meet SodaGift, the International Gift-Giving Service Without the Hassle | Markets Insider
Sodacrew’s co-founders Jake Kim (top) and Daniel Lee (source : Sodacrew)

After pivoting away from its previous focus on remittance, Sodacrew has now set its sights on disrupting the mobile gifting market.

Gifting is already only a few taps away thanks to modern smartphone technology. Anyone can send both digital coupons and even real products, such as flowers and a bottle of wine, directly to their loved ones.
Despite these advancements within the gifting industry, cross-border mobile gifting remains a relatively untapped field, with few companies having been able to successfully resolve the thorny logistical and supply chain challenges that it presents.
“When it comes to gifting across borders, not many companies come to mind. Not even online gift cards published by retail giants like Amazon have become user-friendly, especially when being gifted to those outside of the US,” said Daniel Lee, CEO of Sodacrew, the operator of mobile gifting service SodaGift, in a recent interview with The Miilk. “We hope to become the go-to platform for cross-border gifting.”
A Side Hustle
Before launching the startup in 2015, the three co-founders — CEO Lee, CTO Jake Kim, and CFO Richard Kim — frequently bounced ideas back and forth, in the hopes of striking gold. They considered in-eBook advertising, a meditation app, and an anonymous mobile chat app, and attempted to launch a service that connected consumers with trustworthy freelance insurance agents.
Initially, SodaGift was far from their primary business model, but rather served as a marketing tool for SodaTransfer, a digital wallet service that launched in a beta trial in 2017.
SodaTransfer brought in around 16,000 users, who found it to be a cheaper and more convenient way of transferring money overseas than established banks.
Initially, SodaGift was just an added perk for those making use of SodaTransfer’s money transfer services. Over time, however, SodaGift’s growth out-stripped the original remittance platform, with the comparative lack of financial regulations within the gifting industry allowing Sodacrew more operational leeway.
Meanwhile, SodaTransfer continued to struggle to navigate complex domestic financial regulations. South Korea’s foreign money transfer and exchange laws have earned the nation its reputation as a financial Pandora’s Box: a lucrative market that so many companies shy away from due to its heavy regulations and penalties. After hitting one too many regulatory brick walls, the company decided to pivot away from the international money transfer industry to mobile gifting.
“Although we do truly feel sorry for our customers, who are still very much in need of a cheap, reliable international money transfer service, we felt the pivot was necessary for us to give SodaGift the chance it deserved to sustain its fast growth through diverse business opportunities,” CTO Kim told The Miilk.
After months of deliberation, the co-founders decided to shut down SodaTransfer to commit themselves fully to the gifting sector.
[The Miilk] Sodacrew breaking down borders for gifting
There are many situations in our lives when we might want to express our gratitude to others. You might have friends from school or coworkers to whom you want to send a thank-you gift or birthday gift. But, what if they are in South Korea? How can you send them a gift? Well, the best way is to send a gift card using SodaGift!
Table of Contents

Sending Gifts to Korea Made Easy

The Challenge

If you are looking for ways to show your loved ones in Korea how much you care, you’ll soon find that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sending gifts from abroad to Korea can be very difficult.
•
Sending even a small gift through mail can cost hundreds of dollars.
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Many international companies don’t deliver to Korea.
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Even if companies do deliver to Korea, you will need to enter a Korean Customs Clearance code which is impossible to get as a foreigner living abroad.
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Korean businesses normally don’t accept PayPal or international credit cards as forms of online payment
Send Gifts to Korea with SodaGift | KoreabyMe
[The Korea Herald] SodaCrew: SodaGift Expands Mobile Gifting to North America
Image courtesy of Sodacrew Global Inc.
Technology has transformed how people connect, making even the most distant interactions feel close and personal. This advancement has reshaped numerous industries and gift-giving is no exception. Gone are the days when sending a gift across borders was laden with logistical nightmares and hefty shipping fees. Companies like Sodacrew Global Inc., through its service, SodaGift, have turned these challenges into a seamless experience, making international gifting straightforward and effortless.
[Ritz Herald] Meet SodaGift, the International Gift-Giving Service Without the Hassle | The Ritz Herald
SOURCE SodaCrew Inc
[AP News] SodaGift launches app to make gifting easier
[PR Newswire] SodaGift launches app to make "gifting easier"