Here’s how fried chicken and beer made Korea’s stock market go wild

A casual night out for three major business leaders turned into South Korea’s latest viral sensation — and a surprise market rally. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee, and Hyundai Motor Executive Chair Chung Euisun stunned diners at Kkanbu Chicken in Seoul on Thursday when they dropped in for fried chicken and beer before the APEC summit.

As the trio shared “chimaek”, Korea’s beloved chicken-and-beer combo, Huang livestreamed the visit, playfully offering chicken to fans outside. The scene took a generous turn when Huang rang the restaurant’s “golden bell,” signaling he would pay for everyone’s meal. Media reports say Samsung’s Lee picked up the tab in the end while Hyundai’s Chung covered a second round, drawing cheers from the packed crowd.

But the real fireworks came the next day. Photos and videos of the evening sent Kyochon F&B, the only K-chicken company on the Korea Exchange, shares soaring 20%, while poultry supplier Cherrybro and robot maker Neuromeka hit trading limits as investors piled in, betting on the “Huang effect.”

Beyond the viral moment, the visit carried strategic weight. At the APEC summit, Huang announced Nvidia will supply over 260,000 GPUs to Korean firms, including Samsung and Hyundai, to advance “physical AI,” a frontier blending artificial intelligence with real-world applications like autonomous vehicles.

A basket of fried chicken, a toast of beer, and a handshake later — Huang once again proved his Midas touch extends far beyond silicon.