Wadiz, a crowdfunding platform, announced on March 10th that funding for self-improvement and hobby projects increased by 49% in January and February of this year compared to the same period last year.

The growth trend in self-improvement funding has continued since last year. In 2024, self-improvement projects accounted for 27% of all projects opened in the e-book and class categories, with classes at 11% and hobbies at 4%, totaling over 40%. Funding amounts also increased by 67% compared to the same period last year.

In January and February of this year, as more supporters sought new hobbies for fresh challenges at the start of the year, the number of supporters participating in self-improvement projects increased significantly, more than 2.5 times compared to the same period last year.

Notably, a 'Handwriting Class' taught directly by the author of the Forbes-selected 'Mikko Font' achieved 400 million won in funding within just four days. It surpassed 500 million won in less than two weeks, demonstrating an explosive response. An online 'Interval Ballet Fit' class taught by a ballet coach with 20 years of experience also garnered attention, successfully raising 230 million won with nearly 900 students signing up.

The 'iPad Drawing' funding by illustrator 'Neulgrim' achieved a cumulative funding of 180 million won with differentiated classes and reward compositions. It gained popularity not only among beginners but also professional artists by showcasing oil painting brushes and canvases that can express the unique delicate emotions of analog, ranking number one among this year's painting projects.

A Wadiz representative stated, "Recently, as more consumers value finding and investing in their own tastes, interest in unique hobbies or self-improvement-related classes on Wadiz is increasing. In response to this enthusiasm, various classes by experts with professionalism and a strong fan base are being prepared for this year as well."