Nvidia's Jensen Huang Stuns South Korea with Celebrity Status at Fried Chicken Dinner with Samsung and Hyundai Leaders

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has quickly transformed from a relatively unknown tech executive into a global AI celebrity, and a recent dinner in Seoul offers a vivid illustration of his rising fame. During his visit to South Korea, Huang met with top executives from two of the country’s most powerful conglomerates: Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Executive Chairman Chung Eui-sun. The meeting took place on Thursday at a popular Seoul fried chicken restaurant, Kkanbu Chicken, known for its casual vibe and the Korean phrase “kkanbu,” meaning close friend. The trio enjoyed a meal of fried chicken and beer—a beloved pairing in South Korea known as Chi-maek—while a crowd of journalists, photographers, and curious onlookers gathered outside the restaurant. Live television broadcasts captured the scene, showing Huang and the two chairmen chatting and laughing over their meal. Reflections from inside the restaurant revealed diners snapping photos on their phones, some even holding up their devices to get a better view. Huang, known for his low-key demeanor, brought gifts to his hosts: boxes labeled Nvidia DGX, the company’s high-performance AI computing systems. Lee Jae-yong showed the press a note signed by Huang that read, “To our partnership and future of the world!” The moment was widely shared on social media and news platforms, underscoring the growing cultural significance of AI leaders. Bloomberg reported earlier in the week that Huang is set to announce new supply contracts with both Samsung and Hyundai, further solidifying Nvidia’s role in the region’s tech supply chain. The CEO is scheduled to speak at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Gyeongju on Friday. After the dinner, Huang stepped outside and engaged with fans, signing autographs on a $2 bill, a gift bag from a skincare store, and other items. He also handed out portions of the restaurant’s fried chicken to people waiting nearby, creating a moment of unexpected celebrity warmth. Huang’s rapid ascent mirrors Nvidia’s meteoric rise. The company became the first in history to reach a $5 trillion market capitalization earlier this week, with its stock surging over 1,500% in the past five years. As AI reshapes industries worldwide, Huang has emerged not just as a tech leader, but as a cultural figure whose presence commands attention—even at a casual fried chicken joint.