Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shares chicken and beer with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun at a restaurant in Seoul’s Samseong-dong on October 30. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — In a rare show of camaraderie among global tech titans, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Thursday evening at a fried chicken restaurant in Seoul’s Gangnam district, sharing “so-maek” — a popular Korean mix of soju and beer — and talk of artificial intelligence.
The gathering, held at a branch of the local chain Kkanbu Chicken, drew hundreds of onlookers and reporters as the three industry leaders arrived around 7:10 p.m. Huang, in his trademark black leather jacket, smiled as he entered, while Lee and Chung appeared in casual attire.
“I just arrived in Korea, but I have many discussions ahead,” Huang told reporters before entering. “I look forward to meeting President Lee Jae-myung at APEC tomorrow. Korea has many announcements planned, and Nvidia will make several with our great partners.”
The choice of venue, reportedly suggested by Huang himself, quickly became a talking point. The term kkanbu — meaning close friend or ally — gained global fame through the Netflix series Squid Game, and Korean media were quick to dub the trio’s gathering an “AI kkanbu” meeting.
Asked if he knew the meaning of the word, Huang laughed and said, “I love chicken and beer. Enjoying them with friends is perfect — so ‘Kkanbu’ is the perfect place.”
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang won over crowds on October 30 by personally handing out fried chicken and French fries to citizens gathered outside a restaurant in Seoul’s Samseong-dong, where he was meeting Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun for a “chimaek” — a Korean-style gathering featuring chicken and beer. His friendly gesture drew loud cheers and warm applause from the onlookers. (Yonhap)
During the hourlong meeting, the three executives appeared relaxed, chatting and laughing as they sampled fried chicken and fries. At one point, Huang stepped outside to share food with onlookers and take photos. When intrigued by a glass of so-maek at a nearby table, Lee reportedly introduced it to him, and Chung proposed a toast. Huang downed his drink in one shot, the three even linking arms for a “love shot” — a Korean gesture of friendship.
“This is what happiness feels like — eating something delicious,” Lee said after the meeting, noting improved trade conditions with the United States. As the evening ended, Huang smiled and told Chung, “See you tomorrow.”
The meeting was not merely social. It brought together the heads of three powerhouses shaping the future of semiconductors, mobility, and AI. Samsung supplies Nvidia with its fifth-generation HBM3E memory chips and has already provided samples of the next-generation HBM4. Hyundai, meanwhile, has been expanding its AI collaboration with Nvidia since signing a strategic partnership in robotics, autonomous driving, and smart factories earlier this year.
Although details of their conversation remain undisclosed, industry insiders expect major announcements to follow during the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju. Huang hinted at as much earlier this week, saying Nvidia’s upcoming news “will make the Korean people very happy.”
Huang is also expected to meet other key Korean corporate leaders, including SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, whose company also supplies Nvidia with high-bandwidth memory, as well as executives from LG and Naver to discuss potential partnerships.
The night of chicken, soju, and silicon marked more than a friendly meal — it underscored Korea’s growing importance in the global AI ecosystem and the personal ties now fueling it.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
