Billionaires, Beer, and a Sudden Market Boom
An ordinary Thursday night on 30 October in Seoul turned into a stock market spectacle when three of the world’s most powerful tech leaders—Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; and Chung Euisun, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group—sat down for fried chicken and beer at Kkanbu Chicken, a beloved local restaurant.
The trio, collectively worth around US$195 billion (S$265.2 billion), were in South Korea ahead of the APEC Summit 2025, where Asia’s political and business elites gathered to discuss regional cooperation and AI advancement. But before the meetings began, the three billionaires indulged in chimaek—the classic Korean combo of fried chicken and beer.
Videos of the dinner, featuring the executives sharing food with passersby and linking arms in a traditional Korean drinking gesture, went viral across South Korean social media platforms. Then came the surprise twist: the viral outing sent fried chicken–related stocks soaring.
“Jensanity” Grips the Korean Market
While Kkanbu Chicken itself is not publicly listed, Bloomberg reported that Kyochon F&B Co., a rival fried chicken chain, saw its shares surge by as much as 20% the next day.
Cherrybro Co., a Korean poultry processor, “soared by the daily limit of 30%, with trading volume about 200 times its average,” according to the report. Meanwhile, Neuromeka Co., which manufactures chicken-frying robots, also spiked sharply on the Kosdaq exchange.
Analysts dubbed the sudden spike “Jensanity,” a nod to Huang’s uncanny ability to move markets. The same phenomenon occurred in 2024 when stocks of several AI companies jumped after he mentioned them during a presentation.
“The episode reflects how virality and memes continue to influence South Korea’s stock market,” Bloomberg noted.
When Generosity Meets Market Speculation
Inside Kkanbu Chicken, the evening reportedly took a generous turn when Huang rang the restaurant’s golden bell, a Korean custom signifying that the customer will pay for everyone’s meal. As cheers erupted, Samsung’s Lee and Hyundai’s Chung followed suit, splitting the bill for all diners.
Outside, Huang was seen handing out chicken to curious onlookers, including a police officer. The scene—equal parts goodwill, cultural immersion, and celebrity moment—became a viral symbol of tech camaraderie.
Bloomberg’s report suggested that the feel-good visuals and widespread coverage were enough to ignite speculative buying among local traders eager to profit from the publicity.
Cultural Moments Move Markets
South Korea’s retail investors are no strangers to meme-driven rallies. In August, MonAmi Co., a pen manufacturer, saw its stock price soar 60% after former U.S. President Donald Trump praised South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s pen during a meeting.
This latest surge highlights how social media virality and celebrity behavior can ripple through the financial markets—sometimes more powerfully than corporate earnings reports.
As Huang, Lee, and Chung resume their roles at the APEC Summit, their friendly dinner remains a reminder that in the digital age, even a plate of fried chicken can shake the stock exchange.
Watch videos here:
@bloombergbusiness A viral moment of Nvidia’s Jensen Huang having #chimaek (fried chicken and beer) in South Korea may have made #investors hungry as well. Huang sent Korean fried chicken stocks soaring after his outing with Samsung’s Jay Y Lee and Hyundai’s Chung Euisun.
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