Fans of popular social messaging app Line have to fork out more money starting today, as the Japanese company has doubled the prices of its icons and stickers from NT$30 to NT$60.
“We have many Taiwan illustrators who have been producing outstanding graphic art and images. Their products are on a par with other well-known illustrators around the world. They will need the support of local fans in order to open up other international markets,” Line Corp said in a statement.
As such, there will no longer be a price differential between domestic and foreign products, the statement said.
Its online sales depot Line Store began last year to promote and sell icons and stickers by Taiwanese illustrators, including Jimmy (幾米), Wan Wan (彎彎), Byebyechuchu (掰掰啾啾), Lailai & Chichi (賴賴&織織), Lu’s and Cherng.
In related developments, popular illustrator Wan Wan yesterday posted a message to her fans, saying she is restarting her career.
Wan Wan was embroiled in an extramarital affair shortly after her marriage in June.
“My husband has forgiven me, and he will give me a second chance,” Wan Wan wrote.
“I have reflected on my mistake, and I want to thank the people who have supported me,” she said.
Former Czech Republic-based Taiwanese researcher Cheng Yu-chin (鄭宇欽) has been sentenced to seven years in prison on espionage-related charges, China’s Ministry of State Security announced yesterday. China said Cheng was a spy for Taiwan who “masqueraded as a professor” and that he was previously an assistant to former Cabinet secretary-general Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰). President-elect William Lai (賴清德) on Wednesday last week announced Cho would be his premier when Lai is inaugurated next month. Today is China’s “National Security Education Day.” The Chinese ministry yesterday released a video online showing arrests over the past 10 years of people alleged to be
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