The unusual gathering of three billionaires took place at Kkanbu Chicken, a popular local franchise celebrated for its delicious chimaek—the quintessential South Korean pairing of crispy fried chicken and cold beer. The trio, including the notable entrepreneur Huang, indulged in platters filled with crispy chicken and cheese sticks, all while enjoying refreshing beers. Huang, easily recognizable in his trademark black leather jacket, engaged warmly with fans and frequently left his table to distribute food to passersby. He enthusiastically told reporters, “I love fried chicken, and I love beer, and I love fried chicken and beer with my friends,” emphasizing the joy of sharing this beloved meal.
Positioned prominently near the restaurant's front windows, their table offered a clear view for onlookers, who witnessed the billionaires clinking glasses and linking arms in a celebratory toast. Such public displays are uncommon in South Korea, where chaebol leaders like Lee and Chung typically maintain a low profile. Within minutes of the dinner, clips showcasing the event went viral on Korean social media, leading local outlets to coin the term “Jensanity” to describe the frenzy.
The hype surrounding this memorable evening quickly spilled over into the stock market. Kyochon F&B, recognized as one of South Korea’s largest fried-chicken chains, experienced a remarkable share price increase of up to 20%. Simultaneously, poultry processor Cherrybro Co. reached the daily trading limit with a staggering 30% surge in its shares, while Neuromeka, a company specializing in chicken-frying robots, also saw significant stock gains. Although Kkanbu Chicken operates as a privately held entity, the restaurant's staff reported a noticeable spike in sales following the event, with some locations selling out of their fried chicken offerings.
This phenomenon exemplifies a broader trend within South Korea’s financial markets, where retail investors are known to chase sudden, meme-driven surges tied to cultural or political events. While this behavior often leads to speculative risks, the excitement surrounding this dinner showcased the powerful intersection of social media and investing.
Beyond the entertaining meal, the dinner held significant strategic implications. Huang was in Seoul for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO summit, where he announced that Nvidia would supply over 260,000 advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to South Korean companies, including industry giants Samsung and Hyundai. These cutting-edge chips are set to enhance South Korea’s artificial intelligence capabilities across various sectors, including semiconductors and robotics.
As Huang departed the restaurant, he joyfully rang the golden bell to cover the $1,800 tab for all diners, declaring, “This is the best way to enjoy chimaek,” according to the New York Times. His company, Nvidia, recently made history by becoming the first to achieve a $5 trillion market capitalization. In a heartfelt note to his South Korean counterparts, he wrote, “To our partnership and the future of the world,” encapsulating the spirit of collaboration and innovation that the evening represented.
