Three of South Korea’s most influential business leaders met for a relaxed dinner of fried chicken and beer, with cameras waiting outside. What seemed like a casual gathering quickly reverberated through the stock market. Within hours, shares of Korean fried chicken companies surged, prompting investors and commentators to dub the episode yet another example of “Jensanity.”
A Dinner Worth Billions
@channelnewsasia Fans in South Korea gathered outside Kkanbu Chicken restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district as Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang met Samsung Electronics chairman Jay Y Lee and Hyundai Motor Group executive chair Euisun Chung on Thursday (Oct 30) over “chimaek” (fried chicken and beer) and a “love shot” toast. Huang, who is in South Korea for an official visit, was also seen handing out gifts to fans waiting outside. #nvidia#southkorea#seoul #chimaek ♬ original sound – CNA
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared a meal with Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai Executive Chair Chung Euisun at a modest Kkanbu Chicken outlet. The trio enjoyed Korea’s beloved chimaek—fried chicken paired with beer—while photos and short videos of the meeting spread rapidly on social media. Huang appeared relaxed and engaged in conversation with the country’s top executives, and by the next trading morning the market reaction was swift.
Shares of Kyochon F&B, a competing chicken chain, jumped more than 20%. Poultry processor Cherrybro hit the daily trading limit of 30%. Even Neuromeka, a small manufacturer of robotic systems for frying chicken, experienced trading volumes more than 200 times its average. The episode underscored how celebrity appearances can trigger speculative moves across connected industries.
The Jensen Huang Effect
Huang’s presence has influenced markets before. In 2024, mentions of certain AI companies by Huang at a conference led to sudden valuation spikes. Investors now track his visits, comments, and factory tours like fans following a high-profile athlete: a brief encounter or endorsement can spark rallies in relevant stocks.
The timing of this Seoul visit amplified the effect. Huang attended the APEC CEO Summit and announced new AI chip supply agreements involving Samsung and Hyundai. Reports later indicated he presented his hosts with high-performance Nvidia DGX systems and left a note celebrating the partnerships. While the fried chicken moment captured public attention, the dinner also symbolized deeper industrial cooperation and strategic ties.
Cultural Craze Meets Market Mania
Image via Wikimedia Commons/KOREA.NET
Retail investors in South Korea have become known for quickly following viral trends. Earlier in 2025, shares of a pen manufacturer jumped after a public compliment from a well-known political figure. In the same way, images of Huang sharing chicken with onlookers and signing restaurant bills were taken as a signal by traders.
Chimaek itself carries cultural weight in Korea as a symbol of casual, communal enjoyment and national pride. The addition of a global tech figure to that scene turned a local custom into international news. Huang’s offhand remark to reporters—“This is very good for your health, right?”—reinforced his approachable public image and helped fuel the viral moment.
The episode illustrates how market sentiment and social momentum can sometimes move prices as powerfully as fundamentals and strategy. A brief, convivial meeting in a popular eatery highlighted both the human side of business relationships and the speed at which modern markets react to public signals.