YouTube Brings Live-Stream Jewels to Korean Creators and Viewers

YouTube has rolled out its live-stream Jewels feature to South Korean users, marking the latest expansion of its in-app donation system beyond North America. The platform originally launched Jewels in 2024 for U.S. creators before extending access to Canadian users last month. Korean streamers and their audiences can now join in.

Jewels are an in-app currency that viewers purchase to buy digital stickers, which can then be sent during a live stream. The stickers allow fans to stand out in the chat and get noticed by their favorite creators, while a portion of every sticker purchase goes directly back to the streamer.

How the Earning System Works

The monetization process involves two layers of currency. Viewers spend Jewels to send sticker gifts, while creators receive Rubies in return. These Rubies represent the creator’s earnings, with YouTube paying one cent per Ruby. Creators can track their Ruby earnings through YouTube Analytics and convert them into real money once sufficient Rubies have been accumulated.

A Growing Monetization Tool for Creators

While the dual-currency structure may seem complex, the underlying idea is straightforward — creators earn a percentage of whatever viewers spend on stickers during a live broadcast. The system gives streamers an additional revenue stream beyond traditional ad income, and offers viewers a more interactive and expressive way to engage.

With Korean creators now on board, YouTube continues to position Jewels as a global live-stream monetization tool, steadily expanding the feature across key markets worldwide.